A week into the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas putting a stop to a 15-month-long war, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) released the fatalities suffered by the sporting fraternity.

"The total number of Palestinian athletes and scouts martyred during the ongoing genocide has increased to 724 people, including 382 footballers," PFA said in a statement posted on social media.

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According to the PFA, at least 235 of the fatalities were connected to other sports. Of the killed individuals linked to football, 96 were children and 286 were youth. Hani Al-Masdar, former player and Assistant Coach of Palestine Olympic Football Team, was among those killed.

Besides, 287 sports facilities, including 147 dedicated to football, were destroyed in the Israeli bombardment that began in October 2023. PFA said at least 134 of the destroyed football facilities were in Gaza, while the remaining were in West Bank. According to local authorities, at least 47,161 Palestinians have been killed in the war.

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Palestine had a strong football team that visited India to play friendlies against the national men's team twice in 2013 and 2014.

The 2013 friendly match was played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Ashraf Alfawaghra Nu'man scored a hat-trick, and Palestine won 4-2. Kannur native C K Vineeth made his international debut in that match, coming on as a substitute in the second half.

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Palestine edged India 3-2 in the second friendly played a year later in Siliguri. Palestine are ranked 101 in the world, while India is currently 126th in men's football.