Asaad Al-Azzabi, a former player for Al-Tajammu Club in Rafah, finds himself in a vastly different world now. In the Al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, where tents dot the sandy landscape and queues form for basic necessities like water and food, Mr. Al-Azzabi prepares for a soccer match unlike any he has played before.
In the past, Mr. Al-Azzabi and his teammates had access to well-equipped pitches, training halls, coaches, and all the necessary equipment. However, the war has changed everything. Now, he considers himself lucky if he can find a pair of boots to play in. He often has to borrow boots from friends or patch up his own with tape just to be able to participate in the game.
His current living situation is a stark contrast to his previous life as a professional soccer player. He now resides in a tent in Al-Rahma Camp, a shelter for displaced individuals from Rafah. Clean water and sanitation services are scarce in the camp, and Mr. Al-Azzabi finds himself living alone after his wife and son left for Jordan to seek treatment for their son’s cancer.
The United Nations reports that around 1.7 million people are living in approximately 1,600 displacement sites across the Gaza Strip. Most of these individuals are in temporary or informal locations and rely on water brought in by trucks. The entry of essential equipment, fuel, and repair materials is restricted, making life even more challenging for the displaced residents.
Despite these hardships, Mr. Al-Azzabi remains committed to the game. He coaches a team made up of fellow displaced individuals from nearby Sheikh Al-Eid Camp and draws up game plans in the sand before leading his players to a makeshift pitch among the tents. The match serves as a brief respite from the daily struggles of life in the camps, with children and young men gathering around to cheer on the players, some of whom have spent hours in queues for basic necessities.
Referee Alaa Abu Taha, a displaced resident of Rafah and a referee with the Palestinian Football Association, emphasizes the importance of soccer as an outlet for many people in Gaza. Despite the lack of sports infrastructure and the widespread destruction of sports facilities during the war, individuals like Mr. Al-Azzabi and Mr. Abu Taha continue to find ways to play the game they love.
The soccer match in Al-Mawasi is a testament to the resilience of the displaced residents. Despite the challenges they face, they have organized a championship between displacement camps, highlighting the power of sports to bring people together and provide a sense of normalcy in the midst of chaos.
As the match kicks off in front of a small crowd of spectators, Mr. Al-Azzabi takes to the field in boots held together by tape, embodying the spirit of determination and perseverance that defines the players in Al-Mawasi. The game may be a far cry from the professional matches he once played, but for Mr. Al-Azzabi and his fellow players, it represents a glimmer of hope and a brief escape from the harsh realities of life in the camps.
