Today – in the midst of a fragile ceasefire and the devastation of her homeland – she stands on the football field not only as a player, but as a symbol of resilience and hope.
For Farah, football is more than just a game – it’s a fresh start, a way to reclaim one’s identity and a bridge to cherished pre-war memories.
Never give up
“I came here to play sports so I can be the way I was before and to regain the memories. My message is: continue the journey, don’t give up. Don’t let anything stand in your way. Despite your injury, insist on being like everyone else,” she told Pakinomist.
Farah Youssef, a member of the Palestine amputee national football team, who is participating in the championship.
Farah is one of dozens of players who took part in the Hope Football Championship for Amputees in Gaza, demonstrating that disability does not mean inability and that passion for sport can become a path to healing and empowerment.
The tournament was organized by the Palestine Amputee Football Association and held at the Ittihad Shabab Deir al-Balah Club Stadium.
Limbs lost, but spirits high
It brought together male and female players who had lost limbs in the conflict, yet continue to play with remarkable spirit and determination.
Our correspondent was at the stadium to capture the competitive atmosphere and inspiring scenes during the four-day championship, which ended last week.
The initiative is part of a wider effort to support those injured in conflict and to encourage their inclusion in sport – despite the rubble and hardship around them.
As part of its mission, the association aims to integrate thousands more who were injured in the recent hostilities.
A missed chance for the World Cup
Captain Ali Abu Armanah, coach of the Palestinian national amputee soccer team, reflected on the team’s lost opportunity to qualify for the 2026 Amputee Soccer World Cup in Costa Rica.
“We launched this championship to revive hope after two years of war against our children and families in the Gaza Strip. At this time, we were supposed to be in Jakarta, Indonesia, representing Palestine in the West Asia qualifiers, but the ongoing conflict and the closure of the border crossing prevented our participation.”
The Palestinian national team missed out on qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup by a single point after a draw in their final group stage match in June as the war still raged.
Life on one leg
Mohammad Abu Jufail, a former soccer player, lost his leg in the war in Gaza in 2014. The physical and psychological challenges were enormous, but he chose not to give up.
“I used to play football before my injury. After my leg was amputated, I stopped playing for about five months. Then the club I played for told me there was a special team for amputees. The beginning was difficult; I had played with two legs, and now with one, with crutches.
“We trained continuously for two years, and we met an amputee athlete from abroad who guided us. After that, we resumed our lives,” he said.
Call for greater support
Player Abdullah Abu Mukhaimer highlighted the extent of the need. “We are sending a message that we are still contributing through football in Gaza and many new players are joining. There are almost 60,000 amputees in Gaza after the war. We call on the relevant authorities to support amputee football because the numbers are extremely high.”
Hope Championship for amputee football in the Gaza Strip 2025.
6,000 amputations in two years
According to local health organizations in Gaza, more than 6,000 cases of amputation of limbs have been recorded during the past two years of conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, requiring urgent and long-term rehabilitation.
Children make up an estimated 25 percent of all amputees, while women account for nearly 13 percent.
There remains a shortage of aids, exacerbating the suffering of those living with war-related disabilities.
