Today, in the midst of a fragile ceasefire and the devastation of her homeland, she appears on the soccer field not only as a player, but as a symbol of resilience and hope.
For Farah, football is more than just a game: it is a new beginning, a way to regain his identity and a bridge to cherished pre-war memories.
Never give up
“I came here to play sports so I can be like I was in the past and recover memories. My message is: continue the path, don't give up. Don't let anything get in your way. Despite your injury, you must insist on being like everyone else,” he said. UN News.
Farah Youssef, a member of the Palestine national amputee soccer team, who is participating in the championship.
Farah is one of dozens of players who participated in the Hope Amputee Football Championship in Gaza, proving that disability does not mean inability and that a passion for sport can become a path to healing and empowerment.
The tournament was organized by the Palestinian Amputee Football Association and was held at the Ittihad Shabab Deir al-Balah club stadium.
Members lost, but with high spirits
It brought together male and female players who had lost limbs in the conflict and still 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 concluded last week.
The initiative is part of wider efforts to support those injured in conflict and encourage their inclusion in sport, despite the rubble and hardship that surrounds them.
As part of its mission, the association aims to integrate thousands more who were injured in the recent hostilities.
A missed opportunity for the World Cup
Captain Ali Abu Armanah, coach of the Palestinian amputee soccer team, reflected on the team's missed 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 that very moment, 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 team missed out on qualifying for next year's FIFA World Cup by just one point after drawing their final group game in June, while the war was still raging.
Life on one leg
Mohammad Abu Jufail, a former footballer, lost a leg in the 2014 Gaza war. The physical and psychological challenges were immense, but he decided not to give up.
“Before my injury I played football. After my leg was amputated, I stopped playing for about five months. Then the club I played for told me that there was a special team for amputees. The beginnings were difficult; I had played with two legs, and now with one, using crutches.
“We trained continuously for two years and met an amputee athlete from abroad who guided us. After that, we resumed our lives,” he said.
They ask for more support
Player Abdullah Abu Mukheimer highlighted the magnitude of the need. “We are sending the message that we continue to contribute 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.”
The Hope Football Championship for amputees in the Gaza Strip 2025.
6,000 amputations in two years
According to local health organizations in Gaza, more than 6,000 cases of limb amputation were recorded during the last two years of conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants, requiring urgent and long-term rehabilitation.
It is estimated that children account for 25 percent of all amputation cases, while women account for almost 13 percent.
Assistive devices remain in short supply, which is compounding the suffering of those living with war-related disabilities.
