![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DUSPJNL7VRDR7D76CN46QKSA24.jpg?smart=true&auth=cea68fd92765f0950bfc579fb5dcb4bbf84f5e8f9244f98311900e778c61de9a&width=400&height=225)
Mahmoud Al Naouq, is the administrative manager of the team.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YATXKMQQS44B7DY5STBCY5BQHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=27eb3dc3f4b2f6d7f9b7d2db5324a8e1eaf9d0ba92db263728bea59091deddf7&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian goal keeper Islam Amoun. All photos by Heidi Levine for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M3CCYODBVY2O2HDFZH345F4R5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=bc80d14fa66b085fb434eb311c49403bf12efc69e8f24479e35902169472ec39&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian goal keeper Islam Amoun is seen with other players during a practice held in Deir Al Balah in central Gaza on July 15,2018.(Photo by Heidi Levine for The National).
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WPNPWX7QFUTWCUYDXZF4WVII6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cd43808c59e28dfa360f94313e8b4e62e29873456abb105dcd15d4096d86ad0d&width=400&height=225)
The amputee team hold a training session in Deir Al Balah in central Gaza.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MEEVMOFMQ7XDTOLYUTKJP7OCL4.jpg?smart=true&auth=476a82a42e338844b24f5a3ba62a37ddf31aa735a471fea081ac344fb24c0934&width=400&height=225)
Wahid Rabah, the oldest member of Gaza's amputee football team , with his son Abdullah, 8.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLAKF7IPDHPEXH3TMTBRWHI4OA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8529694a1a17bf7040ec519016965060c82f75807373e8342e8dfff71e0a1caf&width=400&height=225)
Wahid Rabah smiles despite falling to the ground during the team's weekly training session.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/32XCMZFYWCWOM2CI4CK6EESCXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4a81d58a3f0831ba934c48c96a5d2a4a7354b6edfced08f351ebe46f6d73f845&width=400&height=225)
Fifteen of the team's 17 players were disabled as a result of Israeli attacks on Gaza.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FC77DXDPKL5ABCDT6YIV722ZEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea4b247c7cf2a169de4c176a2577d98e078b60cb5e6ac5e0deebf3423d46ebbf&width=400&height=225)
The team practises for two hours every Monday afternoon. Guided by their coaches, the players start with warm-up exercises, holding on to their crutches.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7676KMTS5GG6MFY6GSX3RUEVKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fc440020366201a6398955cd0bcaf670a4329f1497527bec99dd28e5793954b&width=400&height=225)
Ball Safi is a new player.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KAZ7SL4WNDY6LYPR6QW3MPUBFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f10d66a20dc5572999aa8360352599e63a6e901d1b388f2636ddf0db3406dbda&width=400&height=225)
The Deir Al Balah Rehabilitation Centre provided football kits and arranged time on the municipality playing field, but the team still lacks funding.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DUSPJNL7VRDR7D76CN46QKSA24.jpg?smart=true&auth=cea68fd92765f0950bfc579fb5dcb4bbf84f5e8f9244f98311900e778c61de9a&width=400&height=225)
Mahmoud Al Naouq, is the administrative manager of the team.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YATXKMQQS44B7DY5STBCY5BQHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=27eb3dc3f4b2f6d7f9b7d2db5324a8e1eaf9d0ba92db263728bea59091deddf7&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian goal keeper Islam Amoun. All photos by Heidi Levine for The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M3CCYODBVY2O2HDFZH345F4R5E.jpg?smart=true&auth=bc80d14fa66b085fb434eb311c49403bf12efc69e8f24479e35902169472ec39&width=400&height=225)
Palestinian goal keeper Islam Amoun is seen with other players during a practice held in Deir Al Balah in central Gaza on July 15,2018.(Photo by Heidi Levine for The National).
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WPNPWX7QFUTWCUYDXZF4WVII6I.jpg?smart=true&auth=cd43808c59e28dfa360f94313e8b4e62e29873456abb105dcd15d4096d86ad0d&width=400&height=225)
The amputee team hold a training session in Deir Al Balah in central Gaza.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MEEVMOFMQ7XDTOLYUTKJP7OCL4.jpg?smart=true&auth=476a82a42e338844b24f5a3ba62a37ddf31aa735a471fea081ac344fb24c0934&width=400&height=225)
Wahid Rabah, the oldest member of Gaza's amputee football team , with his son Abdullah, 8.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TLAKF7IPDHPEXH3TMTBRWHI4OA.jpg?smart=true&auth=8529694a1a17bf7040ec519016965060c82f75807373e8342e8dfff71e0a1caf&width=400&height=225)
Wahid Rabah smiles despite falling to the ground during the team's weekly training session.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/32XCMZFYWCWOM2CI4CK6EESCXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=4a81d58a3f0831ba934c48c96a5d2a4a7354b6edfced08f351ebe46f6d73f845&width=400&height=225)
Fifteen of the team's 17 players were disabled as a result of Israeli attacks on Gaza.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FC77DXDPKL5ABCDT6YIV722ZEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea4b247c7cf2a169de4c176a2577d98e078b60cb5e6ac5e0deebf3423d46ebbf&width=400&height=225)
The team practises for two hours every Monday afternoon. Guided by their coaches, the players start with warm-up exercises, holding on to their crutches.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7676KMTS5GG6MFY6GSX3RUEVKM.jpg?smart=true&auth=1fc440020366201a6398955cd0bcaf670a4329f1497527bec99dd28e5793954b&width=400&height=225)
Ball Safi is a new player.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KAZ7SL4WNDY6LYPR6QW3MPUBFM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f10d66a20dc5572999aa8360352599e63a6e901d1b388f2636ddf0db3406dbda&width=400&height=225)
The Deir Al Balah Rehabilitation Centre provided football kits and arranged time on the municipality playing field, but the team still lacks funding.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DUSPJNL7VRDR7D76CN46QKSA24.jpg?smart=true&auth=cea68fd92765f0950bfc579fb5dcb4bbf84f5e8f9244f98311900e778c61de9a&width=400&height=225)
Mahmoud Al Naouq, is the administrative manager of the team.
A club of heroes: Gaza's first amputee football team
Most of the 17 players were disabled as a result of Israeli gunfire or bombing
Nagham Mohanna
18 July, 2018
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