Football has resumed in Gaza, marking a significant return of activity in a region scarred by conflict. In a notable match, the Shabab Jabalia team faced off against the Friendship team at a dilapidated stadium in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood, which has been left in ruins. This was the first league organized in the area in over two years, with the game ending in a draw, alongside another match between Beit Hanoun and Al-Shuja'iya. Spectators, undeterred by the dire conditions, cheered passionately for their teams, finding creative ways to watch the game amidst the debris, which includes climbing damaged walls or peering through gaps in the wreckage.

Prior to the recent matches, football games were hosted at the Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza, which had a capacity of 9,000 but was destroyed during the war and repurposed as a detention center. Now, this once-vibrant venue has become a refugee camp for displaced families living in makeshift white tents in a barren area where the greenery of the stadium once thrived. The stark contrast between the previous football environment and the current situation highlights the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on local sports and community life.

In preparation for the league this week, the Palestinian Football Association managed to clear debris from a collapsed wall next to the half-sized stadium and set up fencing, allowing the matches to take place in an environment steeped in destruction. This initiative not only marks a revival of sports in Gaza but also provides a glimmer of hope and normalcy for the local population, who turn to football as a source of joy and resilience amidst challenging circumstances.