DaysofPal – The Palestinian national basketball team mourns the loss of Mohammed Al-Shaalan, nicknamed “The Earthquake,” who was killed by Israeli occupation forces while attempting to obtain humanitarian aid for his family in Khan Yunis. His death adds to the growing toll of athletes killed since the escalation of Israel’s war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
Al-Shaalan was standing in line at a humanitarian aid center near the Morag axis in southern Gaza when he was shot by Israeli forces.
Local sources reported that he had been desperately trying to secure food and medicine for his sick daughter, Maryam, who suffered from kidney failure and severe blood poisoning. Despite his continuous pleas to save her and provide treatment, Al-Shaalan was killed while seeking basic necessities for his children.
A Star of Palestinian Basketball
Al-Shaalan played for the Al-Bureij Services Basketball Club and was widely recognized as one of Palestine’s most prominent basketball players. He represented the national team in numerous Arab and international tournaments before the ongoing war and blockade forced him to halt his sports career.
During his career, he led several Palestinian basketball teams, most notably Al-Bureij Services, to victories, including two Premier League titles, one Gaza Strip Cup, and two Super Cups.
His teams also triumphed in competitions with Maghazi Services, Khan Yunis Services, Al-Shati Services, Gaza Sports, the YMCA, and Jabalia Services.
Al-Shaalan is the latest in a string of Palestinian athletes killed in recent days. Salem Al-Shaer, 26, head of the equipment department at Rafah Youth Club, and Ahmed Al-Jourani, 40, a former star of Al-Salah Sports Club, also lost their lives. Al-Jourani was killed while waiting for aid near the Netzarim junction, north of Nuseirat.
The Palestinian sports movement has now lost approximately 670 athletes, including more than 340 soccer players, since the start of the genocide. In addition, 288 sports and scouting facilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have been destroyed, severely undermining the country’s athletic infrastructure.
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