IDF Reveals 12 Gaza Footballers Were Terror Operatives Killed in Strikes

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed that 12 individuals in Gaza, previously known as football players, coaches, and referees, were in fact operatives for Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) military wings. This revelation comes amid recent false claims that the IDF deliberately targeted innocent Palestinian footballers during the conflict. The IDF stated that intelligence investigations confirmed these individuals’ terrorist affiliations, despite their public portrayal as mere athletes or civilians.

Among those killed was Mohammad Sami Mohammad Khatab, a FIFA international assistant referee who officiated in West Asian championships and international matches. Following his death, the Asian Football Confederation issued condolences, and a French parliamentarian called for a moment of silence in his honor. Another figure, Ahmad Abu Al-Ata, played as a defender for several Gaza clubs including Ittihad Al-Shujaiya, Al-Tufah, and Al-Ahli Gaza. In June 2026, the PIJ’s military wing publicly identified him as a platoon commander.

The IDF criticized campaigns that falsely depicted these operatives as civilians such as journalists or aid workers to delegitimize Israeli military actions. The military emphasized that these misinformation efforts aim to conceal the terrorists’ true roles and promote baseless accusations against Israel. The IDF’s official website published the full list of the 12 individuals and their terrorist roles to clarify the facts.

This disclosure is part of the broader information war surrounding the conflict in Gaza, where the identities and roles of those targeted by Israeli strikes are often contested. The IDF’s statement aims to counteract narratives that portray Israel as targeting non-combatants in the ongoing hostilities.