Palestinian footballer Muhannad al-Lili dies in Israeli airstrike on Gaza

Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has named al-Lili the 265th footballer killed by Israel in Gaza

Muhannad al-Lili, a professional footballer from the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, died Thursday from injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike that struck his family’s home last week. He was 30.

According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) and Middle East Eye, an Israeli drone launched a missile that hit al-Lili’s bedroom on the third floor of the building. He suffered major head trauma and internal bleeding and died after several days in critical condition.

Al-Lili played for Khadamat al-Maghazi, a club based in central Gaza. He rose through its youth system, later helping the senior team qualify for the Palestinian Premier League in 2016–17.

He went on to play for Shabab Jabalia, where he was part of the squad that finished second in the 2018–19 season. A ligament injury briefly stalled his career at Gaza Sports Club, but he returned to Khadamat al-Maghazi and remained active until his death.

The PFA says he is the 265th footballer to be killed during the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Sports journalist Leyla Hameed places the number higher—over 430 players, she says, have died since the escalation began.

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