Who is Muhannad al-Lili? Palestinian footballer dies in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza

Muhannad al-Lili, a professional footballer from Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza, has died from injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike. He was 30 years old.

Al-Lili passed away on Thursday, days after a missile struck his family home. Reports say the drone strike targeted the third floor of his building, where his bedroom was located. He suffered severe head injuries and internal bleeding, and remained in critical condition until his death.

A Football Career Built in Gaza

Al-Lili was a rising star in Gaza’s football scene. He began his career with Khadamat al-Maghazi, his hometown club, where he came through the youth system. In the 2016–17 season, he helped the senior team qualify for the Palestinian Premier League.

Later, he joined Shabab Jabalia, one of the stronger teams in Gaza. During the 2018–19 season, he played a key role as the club finished second in the league.

A ligament injury briefly interrupted his career while at Gaza Sports Club, but he eventually returned to his roots at Khadamat al-Maghazi and stayed active until his untimely death.

A Life Cut Short by War

Al-Lili had hoped to reunite with his wife, who had left Gaza for Norway before the war worsened. Their baby son was born there during the conflict. Tragically, he never got the chance to meet his child.

Images from his recent wedding spread widely on social media after news of his death was confirmed.

Sports Community in Mourning

His death has sparked grief throughout Gaza’s sports community. The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) confirmed that al-Lili is the 265th footballer killed in the ongoing military campaign.

Sports journalist Leyla Hameed claims the real number is even higher—over 430 athletes killed since the start of the escalation.

Fellow footballer Mohammad al-Sharif wrote: “Every day we bid farewell to a new athlete. We could be the next target.”

Criticism of Global Silence

Some voices have raised concerns about media silence and double standards in how athletes’ deaths are covered globally.

Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed wrote: “So many mourned Jota’s death, which is tragic. But there’s silence for hundreds of Palestinian footballers. This is racism and hypocrisy at its peak.”

Quiet Farewell Amid Conflict

Al-Lili’s funeral was held quietly in the Maghazi refugee camp, under the shadow of continued airstrikes. His death adds to the growing destruction of Gaza’s sports infrastructure, which local officials say has been severely damaged or destroyed during the past nine months.