Gaza: Today - amid a fragile ceasefire and the devastation of her homeland - she stands on the football pitch not only as a player, but as a symbol of resilience and hope.
According to United Nations, Farah, like many others, views football as more than just a game; it is a fresh beginning, a way to reclaim her identity, and a bridge to cherished pre-war memories.
Farah is one of dozens of players who took part in the Hope Football Championship for Amputees in Gaza, demonstrating that disability does not mean inability, and that passion for sport can become a pathway to healing and empowerment. The tournament was organised by the Palestine Amputee Football Association and hosted at the Ittihad Shabab Deir al-Balah Club Stadium.
The event brought together male and female players who had lost limbs in the conflict yet continue to play with remarkable spirit and determination. The competitive atmosphere and inspiring scenes during the four-day championship, which concluded last week, were captured by our correspondent. This initiative is part of wider efforts to support those injured in conflict and to encourage their inclusion in sport despite the rubble and hardship all around them. The association aims to integrate thousands more who were injured in recent hostilities.
Captain Ali Abu Armanah, coach of the Palestinian National Amputee Football Team, reflected on the team's lost opportunity to qualify for the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Costa Rica. The ongoing conflict and closure of the border crossing prevented their participation in the West Asia qualifiers. The Palestine national team missed out on qualification for the FIFA World Cup next year by a single point after drawing in their final group stage game in June.
Mohammad Abu Jufail, a former footballer who lost his leg in the 2014 war in Gaza, shared his journey. Despite the physical and psychological challenges, he chose not to give up. After his leg was amputated, he discovered a special team for amputees and, after initial difficulties, resumed playing with determination and guidance from an amputee athlete from abroad.
Player Abdullah Abu Mukhaimer highlighted the scale of need, noting that nearly 60,000 amputees exist in Gaza after the war. He called on relevant authorities to support amputee football due to the high numbers. According to local health organisations in Gaza, more than 6,000 cases of limb amputation were recorded over the past two years of conflict, requiring urgent and long-term rehabilitation. Children represent an estimated 25 per cent of all amputee cases, while women account for nearly 13 per cent, and the shortage of assistive devices continues to deepen the suffering of those living with war-related disabilities.
