Abdullah Khattab emerged as one of Gaza’s rising soccer talents at a young age. But he was committed to more than just athletics.

On July 22, the Israel Defense Forces published information indicating that 12 Gazan athletes killed during the Oct. 7 war were also members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The list includes Khattab — a tank commander whose affiliation with PIJ had already been acknowledged in June — as well as additional players, coaches, and even an international referee. The Israeli militia decided to spotlight Khattab and others in response to accusations from activist groups and the Palestinian Football Association during the 2026 FIFA World Cup season, claiming that Israel deliberately targeted Palestinian soccer players.