The Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar. Photo courtesy of Palestinian Football Federation.
According to a statement by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) to mourn Al-Ashqar, the 32-year-old player was shot down in the town of Al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Younis.
“Local sources revealed that Al-Ashqar had married just five months ago, and the couple were expecting their first child. He was also the only brother to seven sisters,” the PFA statement explained.
Throughout his domestic football career, Al-Ashqar also enjoyed spells representing Gaza Strip outfits Al-Aqsa and Al-Masdar.
Local sources told WAFA that Al-Ashqar had been married for only five months and was awaiting the birth of his first child. He was also the only son among seven siblings.
Since the outbreak of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, the occupation army has killed 1,009 Palestinian athletes, including 567 individuals from the football community alone.
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