IDF

IDF Identifies 12 Gaza Football Figures as Hamas and PIJ Operatives

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of a large Palestinian flag waving above a crowd of football supporters in red and white outside a stadium gate

The IDF published intelligence identifying 12 Gaza football players, coaches and a FIFA-listed referee as operatives or commanders in the military wings of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The military said all 12 were killed during the war after being portrayed internationally only as athletes or civilians. Its list includes Mohammad Barakat and coach Mohammad Mansour, whom it says joined the October 7 invasion, and FIFA referee Mohammad Sami Khattab, identified as a PIJ operative. The IDF said the disclosure rebuts claims that Israel deliberately targeted members of Gaza's football community because of their civilian profession.

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