Palestine Bids Farewell to a Football Talent: The Martyrdom of Youth National Team Player Fadi Al-Naasan, Succumbing to Injuries from Occupation Bullets

The sports community and Palestinian public in Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate bid farewell to the body of the young martyr Fadi Al-Naasan, a player for Al-Mughayyir Club and the national youth team, who passed away due to severe injuries he sustained days ago. The solemn funeral procession set off from Palestine Medical Complex, where the deceased's body was wrapped in the Palestinian flag amidst shouts of anger and condemnation of the ongoing crimes of the occupation and settlers.

The deceased Al-Naasan, 17 years old, was hit by an explosive bullet in the thigh area fired by Israeli occupation forces during their raid on Al-Mughayyir village on July 11th. This severe injury led to the amputation of his leg and his entry into a critical health condition, before his official martyrdom was announced after medical attempts to save his life failed.

The Palestinian Football Association directly accused the occupation forces of shooting the young player, noting that the targeting occurred while providing protection to settlers who launched a violent attack on the village. The association affirmed in a statement that targeting Palestinian athletes has become a systematic policy aimed at undermining the sports movement and killing the dreams of creative youth.

Hamdallah Al-Naasan, the martyr's father, recounted the last moments of his son's life, noting that Fadi loved football and aspired to represent his country in international forums. The grieving father explained that his son did not hesitate to go towards the attack site when he heard cries for help from women and girls in the village, to be among the first defenders before he was assassinated by occupation bullets.

For her part, the martyr's mother, Hanan Al-Naasan, mourned her son with touching words, describing him as an outstanding student and a well-mannered athlete who enjoyed the love and respect of everyone in his school and club. She said that Fadi combined academic excellence with athletic passion, praying to God to accept him among the martyrs and righteous, affirming her pride in his heroism and sacrifice for his village.

Local sources reported that the attack that led to Al-Naasan's injury was not the only one; the village witnessed violent confrontations during which occupation forces extensively fired rubber bullets, sound bombs, and tear gas. These confrontations resulted in a child under the age of ten being directly hit in the head by a sound bomb, in addition to other injuries among unarmed citizens.

Medical reports indicate that the explosive bullets used by occupation soldiers caused extensive damage to the tissues and arteries of the martyr Al-Naasan, making the process of saving his limb or life extremely difficult. This incident reflects the extent of violence used against Palestinian civilians in villages and towns that are subjected to repeated attacks by settlers under army protection.

This crime comes in the context of an ongoing escalation in the West Bank, where statistics indicate that at least 1088 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023 due to occupation and settler attacks. In contrast, about 46 Israelis were killed in various operations and confrontations witnessed in the West Bank during the same period, reflecting the escalating security tension in the region.

No official comment has been issued by the Israeli occupation army so far regarding the circumstances of the shooting of player Al-Naasan, despite official requests for comment on the incident. Palestinian human rights and sports organizations continue to call on the international community and global sports federations to intervene to stop the targeting of players and sports facilities in the occupied territories.

Deep sorrow cast a shadow over Al-Mughayyir Club and the Palestinian sports community with the passing of one of the promising talents who represented the hope of Palestinian football in the future. The martyr's teammates in the national team affirmed that Fadi will remain present in their hearts, and his memory will be a motivation for them to continue their sports journey despite the difficulties and challenges imposed by the reality under occupation.

When the settlers attacked, he heard the cries of girls and women, so he went to the attack site and was killed defending his family and village.