JERUSALEM — Israel said on Wednesday several Palestinian soccer players, coaches and a referee who were among internationally reported civilian casualties during its war on Gaza were operatives in the military wings of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued the statement in response to reports that alleged the Israeli military deliberately targeted Palestinian soccer players during the conflict.
The IDF rejected those allegations, saying the individuals in question were targeted because of their involvement in terrorist organizations rather than their sporting roles.
Israeli intelligence assessments identified 12 members of Gaza's soccer community—including players, coaches, and a FIFA international assistant referee—as members of Hamas or PIJ who were killed during Israeli military operations, the IDF said.
A Palestinian Football Association official in Gaza rejected the Israeli claims.
“Israel is trying to cover up its crimes of killing players, coaches, referees, and administrators in football clubs with false accusations,” an official said, requesting anonymity for security reasons.
“Most of the names mentioned in the statement were killed in Israeli bombings and raids in their homes or tents, some with their families.”
The IDF said it was releasing the names to counter what it described as “false claims” that Israel had deliberately targeted members of Gaza’s football community.
According to the military, several of those named...
JERUSALEM — Israel said on Wednesday several Palestinian soccer players, coaches and a referee who were among internationally reported civilian casualties during its war on Gaza were operatives...
