Palestine football legend Zaqout killed in Gaza conflict
By Martin Macdonald and Miles Chambers
Aug 2, 2014 10:05:00


The 49-year-old was the latest high profile victim of the battle between Hamas and Israel's army that has raged since mid-July and claimed the lives of over 1,000 people

Palestine footballing legend Ahed Zaqout has been killed in Gaza after an Israeli shell hit the former midfielder's home while he was sleeping on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old was not politically involved in the conflict between Palestine militant group Hamas, based in Gaza where he resides, and Israel but was killed by the latter nation's IDF army's bombing of the region this week.

Emergency services and neighbours rushed to the home of the former football star - who had recently been working as a presenter for a Palestine sports programme - but were unable to save his life.

Zaqout, a midfielder before he hung up his boots, will be remembered most for taking to the pitch against a star-studded French side with included current Uefa president Michel Platini in a 1994 friendly against Palestine.

Four years later, the country's football team was accepted into Fifa and in July 2014 reached an all-time high of 85th on the world football association's ranking.

However, Palestine's hopes of improving their national team continue to be thwarted by region's conflict with Israel and the current bombardment from the IDF has killed over 1,000 citizens of Gaza.

Fifa is currently monitoring Israel over the country's alleged violations of Palestine football, including preventing players from travelling to and from matches, but sanctions against the nation were ruled out in June.

President of Fifa, Sepp Blatter, stated in late July: "I am very much concerned with this situation in the region. We are heartbroken to learn that people from the football community have been killed.

"Fifa and I personally deplore this situation and any form of violence."

Maybe this will push the democratically elected Palestinian government Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israel.

I'm sure they'll stop doing that when Israel stop firing missiles at their hospitals.

Maybe for almost three hours next time.

Who needs the Geneva Convention anyway?

Still never understood the point of the GC.

-PB

Maybe this will push the democratically elected Palestinian government Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israel.

No point appealing to the humanity in Zionists.

Maybe this will push the democratically elected Palestinian government Hamas to stop firing rockets at Israel.

It would make sense. If there were no rockets even big-bad-Israel would have to stop.

There were no rockets. We had gone a record number of days without conflict and then Hamas allegedly abducted those three Israeli boys (complete bullshit) and Israel retaliated.

As of the 1st of August:

1600 Palestinians had been killed, 75% were civilians, a further 8000 were wounded.

55 Israeli soldiers were killed and 3 Israeli civilians had died.

When an elected government decides to wage unconventional war against a foe with a dramatically superior technological advantage, lopsided casualty numbers aren't surprising. Those numbers also shouldn't be used to absolve or minimise one side's blames, and using casualty figures is something of an appeal to emotion.

It's as stupid as say us waging war with the USA and then bitching because they're superior.

We'd get annihilated for sure so we don't. Palestine leadership pokes the bear and then cries to the world for help when they get bitten.

Edited by benelsmore: 7/8/2014 10:07:05 PM

I have no desire to argue but if Hamas stops the rockets for an extended period how can Israel justify continuing?