Women’s Amputee Football Team Trains on Surviving Pitch in Central Gaza

In Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, members of the Palestine Association Women’s Amputee Football Team train on one of the few surviving football pitches. The squad has 11 players: nine with lower-limb amputations and two with upper-limb amputations who play as goalkeepers. @AJEnglish reported on July 17, 2026, that the team formed to aid recovery after injuries sustained since October 2023.

Farah Abu Qinas, 23, lost her left leg in an air strike on June 28, 2024, while at her grandmother’s home; her right leg was also severely burned. Rozan Khaira lost her leg after an air strike on November 19, 2023, destroyed a house opposite her home, leaving it attached only by a small piece of skin.

Aisha al-Abadla was born with an incomplete arm that doctors link to her mother’s exposure to white phosphorus during the 2008 war.

Fouad Abu Ghalyon, president of the Palestine Amputee Football Association, helped establish the women’s team. Farah Abu Qinas joined after meeting him during a physical therapy session. Rozan Khaira stated that the occupation amputated bodies but could not amputate dreams or the will to live.

The World Health Organization and Palestinian health authorities estimate more than 5,000 limb amputations in Gaza since October 7, 2023. Dr Khader Abu Shmala, a sport psychologist and coach of the Gaza Hope team, said playing football helps survivors move beyond isolation and regain confidence. Kafah al-Fakhouri has also played a key role in the team.

The group continues through community efforts and partnerships despite limited resources. Aisha al-Abadla dreams of becoming goalkeeper for the Palestinian women’s amputee national football team. 1,009 members of the Palestinian athletic community were killed in the war.