Palestinian national basketball player martyred in Khan Younis

According to reports, Mohammed Shaalan, a well-known player of the Palestinian national basketball team and a member of Al-Bureij Services Club, was martyred on Tuesday night after being shot by Israeli soldiers in Khan Younis.

Local sources stated that Shaalan was standing in line to receive aid near the “Morag” axis in southern Gaza when he was targeted by Israeli forces.

According to Al Jazeera, he was trying to secure essential supplies for his family at the time, while his young daughter Maryam was in urgent need of treatment due to kidney failure and severe blood poisoning.

Mohammed Shaalan was considered one of the most prominent Palestinian basketball players. His participation in Arab and international competitions as a member of the national team had cemented his place in Palestinian sports; however, war and the blockade cut short his professional career.

In addition to Shaalan’s martyrdom, the Palestinian sports community lost two other members in the past 24 hours: Salem Shaer (26), equipment manager of Shabab Rafah Club, and Ahmad Jourani (40), a former player of Al-Salah Club. Both were shot dead while waiting for aid near the “Netzarim” axis.

According to Palestinian sports institutions, since the beginning of Israel’s assault in October 2023, around 670 Palestinian athletes have been killed, more than 340 of whom were football players. Furthermore, 288 sports facilities in Gaza and the West Bank have been completely or partially destroyed.