Israeli Strike Kills Gaza Sports Club Director amid Attacks on Civilians
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Israeli airstrike on Palestinians waiting for humanitarian aid in northern Gaza killed Louay Estita, director of Gaza Sports Club, in a part of Israel’s ongoing campaign against civilians and infrastructure.
Louay Estita, 46, who had served as the club’s general director since 2015 and was a former handball player, was killed on Sunday night near the Zakim crossing where hundreds of residents had gathered to receive aid.
The Gaza Sports Club confirmed his assassination on Monday, mourning the loss of one of its key figures.
Palestinian officials said the strike highlighted Israel’s relentless targeting of civilians and the systematic destruction of Gaza’s social and cultural institutions.
The Palestinian sports community has suffered devastating losses since the war began.
Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestinian Football Association, described the situation as a “catastrophe without precedent.”
According to Rajoub’s data through August 2025, at least 810 Palestinian athletes and sports officials have been killed since October 2023, including 423 football players, 387 members of various sports federations, and 142 scouts.
Fifteen sports journalists have also been killed, while more than 288 sports facilities across Gaza and the West Bank have been destroyed or damaged.
Notable victims include Olympic football coach Hani al-Masdar, killed in January 2024, and karate champion Nagham Abu Samra, who died after injuries from an Israeli airstrike the same month.
The destruction of Yarmouk Stadium and other major clubs has further crippled Gaza’s sports infrastructure.
Analysts criticized FIFA, UEFA and the International Olympic Committee for failing to act despite their own regulations requiring respect for human rights.
They pointed to Article 3, which demands adherence to internationally recognized rights, and Article 16, which permits suspension of member associations that violate obligations.
Meanwhile, Israeli bombardments continued across Gaza.
Since Monday morning, at least 50 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes on residential areas of Gaza City, flattening homes and displacing families sheltering in tents who also came under attack.
In Deir al-Balah, Israeli airstrikes hit the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, killing dozens of Palestinians who had gathered for aid.
The Gaza Health Ministry said more than 63,557 Palestinians have been killed and 160,660 wounded since October 2023, when Israel launched its war on the enclave.
The International Court of Justice is probing Israel for genocide, while the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former war minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes in Gaza.
