GAZA, July 3, 2025 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Football Association has announced the killing of Muhannad Al-Lee, a prominent footballer and star player for Khadamat Al-Maghazi Club, following injuries sustained in an Israeli airstrike targeting his home in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.
According to the Association, the Israeli attack occurred last Monday, when a drone launched a missile that struck Muhannad’s third-floor bedroom. The strike caused severe head trauma and a major skull hemorrhage. Despite days of medical struggle, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday morning.
Muhannad began his football career with Khadamat Al-Maghazi, rising through the youth ranks to eventually lead the senior team to the Palestinian Premier League in the 2016/2017 season. He later transferred to Shabab Jabalia, where he played two seasons and helped the team achieve runner-up in the 2018/2019 Premier League campaign.
He subsequently joined Gaza Sports Club, but a cruciate ligament injury sidelined him for a period. He made his return to the field through his original club, Khadamat Al-Maghazi.
During the ongoing Israeli genocidal onslaught on Gaza, Muhannad had attempted to leave the besieged enclave to reunite with his wife, who had traveled to Norway for work shortly before the war erupted. He was unable to secure safe passage and, tragically, never had the chance to meet his newborn son, who was born abroad during the conflict.
Muhannad's killing brings the total number of Palestinian sports figures killed by the Israeli occupation since October 2023 to 585, according to the Palestinian Football Association. Among them, 265 were members of the football community.
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