Gaza Women Form First Amputee Football Team to Reclaim Dreams and Dignity

In a recent Middle East Eye report titled "Gaza's amputee women find solace in football," viewers witness the determination of Palestinian women rebuilding their lives through sport after losing limbs in Israeli strikes. The video captures training sessions on a modest artificial pitch in central Gaza, where laughter and focused drills replace the silence of loss. This story of the region's first women's amputee football team offers a window into resilience amid ongoing conflict.

Gaza Women Form First Amputee Football Team to Reclaim Dreams and Dignity

Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip – June 2026 — As the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds globally, a different kind of match is taking shape in Gaza. Palestinian women who lost limbs during the war have come together to form the first women's amputee football team under the Palestine Amputee Football Association. Their effort turns personal tragedy into collective purpose on a small artificial pitch in Deir al-Balah.

The Birth of a Team

The Palestine Amputee Football Association was founded by Fouad Abu Ghalyun to organize amputee athletes across Gaza. The women's section emerged as an extension of that work, bringing together players from varied backgrounds who share the experience of limb loss from Israeli airstrikes. Training began on the limited artificial surface available in Deir al-Balah, where space and resources remain constrained by the conditions of the ongoing war.

Organizers focused on creating regular sessions that combine physical drills with peer support. The team structure allows women to return to movement in a setting designed for their specific needs. This marks the first organized women's amputee squad in Gaza, distinct from existing men's programs.

Personal Stories of Resilience

Rozan Khaira, 24, joined after an Israeli airstrike struck her family's home in Gaza City in November 2023, resulting in the loss of her leg. She has described the shift in outlook that followed: "An injury is not the end of a dream. It can open new doors." Khaira has also stated that "Amputation is not the end of a dream," framing football as a way to move forward rather than remain defined by absence.

Aisha Al-Abadlah, 16, had her earlier ambitions of playing football interrupted by the war. Her participation now reconnects her with the sport she once pursued before the strikes altered daily life across Gaza. Other members include a mother who lost children during the conflict, a journalist whose reporting covered the same events that changed her own circumstances, and a former international runner adapting her athletic background to the amputee format.

These stories illustrate how the team gathers women whose paths diverged through displacement and injury yet converge again on the pitch. Each player brings distinct experiences from Gaza City, central areas, and surrounding communities.

Football as Rehabilitation

The project centers on psychological and social support alongside physical activity. Regular training helps participants regain coordination, balance, and confidence while fostering connections among women who might otherwise remain isolated after amputation. Sessions emphasize teamwork and incremental progress suited to prosthetic use or adapted movement.

Football provides a structured outlet that addresses both the physical effects of limb loss and the mental strain of wartime injury. Players report renewed purpose through shared goals, such as improving passing accuracy or preparing for future matches. The approach aligns with broader efforts to integrate sport into recovery for amputees in Gaza.

The Broader Context

Gaza's Health Ministry has recorded thousands of amputations since the war began, affecting civilians across age groups and regions. These figures reflect the widespread impact of airstrikes on homes, shelters, and public spaces. Sport, once a routine part of community life in Gaza, has faced repeated disruption from infrastructure damage and restricted movement.

The Palestine Amputee Football Association operates within this environment, extending opportunities that were previously limited. The women's team adds a new dimension, addressing gaps in support for female amputees who face additional social and practical barriers. Historical patterns of conflict in the region have long affected access to fields, equipment, and coaching, making local initiatives like this one central to maintaining any form of organized play.

Looking Ahead

The team aims to compete internationally and raise the Palestinian flag at global events. Organizers have set a long-term target of building a competitive women's squad capable of sustained participation by 2027. This timeline allows for gradual development of skills, team cohesion, and necessary resources despite current limitations.

Success would mean more than match results. It would demonstrate that women from Gaza can represent their communities on wider stages even after profound loss. The players continue to train with this horizon in view, turning each session into preparation for future opportunities.

By Fatima Al-Rashid, Staff Writer