A displaced Palestinian shoots a penalty kick during a soccer match at an UNRWA shelter school, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, July 23, 2024. As the world's attention is captured by the grandeur of the Paris Olympics, a poignant scene unfolds worlds away in the Gaza Strip. Amidst the ruins and relentless conflict, a group of Palestinian youths find solace in the simple joy of playing football at a school sheltering the displaced. This rare moment of normalcy stands in stark contrast to the devastation that surrounds them, a testament to the resilience of Gaza's inhabitants.
Athletes of Palestine sail along the river Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 26, 2024. The impoverished Gaza Strip has long grappled with inadequate sports facilities, a challenge now exacerbated by the war which has destroyed everything from boxing rings to soccer pitches. Despite these hardships, the spirit of sport persists. Most athletes representing the Palestinian territories at the Paris Olympics were born abroad—in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Germany, Chile, and the United States—yet they carry the weight of their heritage and the politics of their ancestral homeland with pride.
Palestinians evacuate a body from a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 13, 2024. The toll of the ongoing conflict is staggering. More than 38,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas began, according to local health officials. Lancet in a study published earlier this month estimated the toll to be as high as 186000. Gaza's pre-war population was 2.3 million. Among the victims are around 300 athletes, referees, coaches, and others working in Gaza's sports sector, as reported by Nader Jayousi, the technical director at the Palestine Olympic Committee. The loss is profound, yet it underscores the enduring passion for sport even in the most dire circumstances.
Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. In Paris, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics illuminated the Eiffel Tower and showcased the Olympic rings, symbolising hope and unity. However, the festive atmosphere is tempered by heightened security measures, as France remains on high alert due to past extremist attacks and the ongoing international tensions in Ukraine and Gaza.
The Eiffel Tower and the Olympics rings are lit up during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. Security is a paramount concern, particularly for Israeli athletes who are under 24-hour protection following recent threats. France's interior minister announced these measures after a far-left lawmaker suggested that Israel's delegation was unwelcome and called for protests against their participation. The Palestinian Olympic Committee also joined calls for Israel's exclusion from the Games, addressing an open letter to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the American Federation of Teachers' 88th national convention, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Houston. Vice President Kamala Harris expressed strong support for Israel's right to self-defence while also acknowledging the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza, a balanced stance highlighting the complex nature of international diplomacy. “I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organisation Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews,” she said in a written statement issued hours before her meeting with Mr. Netanyahu.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. On the political front, former U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate, seeking to mend their political alliance strained since Netanyahu acknowledged Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. Netanyahu's visit to Florida follows a fiery address to Congress and discussions with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump's new Democratic rival.
In India, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned Netanyahu's actions in Gaza, accusing his government of 'genocidal actions' and 'barbarism.' Her comments followed Netanyahu's defence of Israel's military operations in a speech to the U.S. Congress, showcasing the global backlash and the varied perspectives on the conflict.
A Palestinian man reacts as he says goodbye to his sick daughter before leaving the Gaza Strip to get treatment abroad through the Kerem Shalom crossing, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, June 27, 2024. At least 12 Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli attack on a school housing displaced people west of Gaza's Deir al-Balah, Gaza's Civil Defence service said. The juxtaposition of the joyous Olympic Games and the grim reality in Gaza highlights the stark contrasts in the lives of those touched by sport and conflict.
With inputs from Reuters and AP