Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar was killed earlier this week in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
In a statement, the PFA said Al-Ashqar was killed by Israeli army gunfire, adding that he was among hundreds of Palestinian sporting figures killed since the war began in October 2023, including more than 1,000 athletes.
Al-Ashqar had married five months ago, and his wife is expecting the couple’s first child.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives, teammates and members of the wider sporting community.
Chilean football club Deportivo Palestino also paid tribute, saying: “We deeply mourn the tragic death of 32-year-old Palestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar. He was killed by the Israeli army. We are deeply saddened by the continuation of such events. We call for justice and peace.”