Palestinian women's football team and their dramatic return to the pitch after the war in Gaza

And it was also the team's first time playing in Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, and in Europe in general. "Everyone was crying because it was really the only way we could see each other," Abuaita, a winger, told CNN about the event from her home in the West Bank.

The Palestine women's national team and Bohemians celebrate after a friendly match at Dalymount Park in May. Photo: Getty Images

After months of fear and separation due to fighting in Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinian women's national team was finally able to reunite and play its first match, against the Irish club Bohemians in May.

The match was held on the 76th anniversary of the "catastrophic" Palestinian exodus, when more than 700,000 Palestinians were expelled by the Israeli army after the State of Israel was established in 1948.

Thousands of fans carrying Palestinian flags filled Dalymount Park, with ticket proceeds going to charities helping refugees back home. Irish President Michael Higgins was also there.

Just two weeks after the match, the Republic of Ireland officially recognized the state of Palestine, along with Spain and Norway. The Republic of Ireland is one of the most pro-Palestinian countries in Europe.

The Palestinian team won 2-1, but the result was less important than the game itself. "Leading the team onto the pitch is a memory I will never forget," said captain Mira Natour, who is also a doctor at a public hospital and will soon return to the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

"It was a moment that not only me, my team but also the whole country felt extremely proud. It was also a testament to our resilience, despite all the challenges," Natour shared.

Meanwhile, midfielder Abuaita described it as a “surreal” moment to be able to return to action after a long layoff due to the war in Gaza. She had not played since her club won the Palestine Cup last year.

“Everyone burst into tears when the national anthem was played and we knew that this was the reason for us to try our best. Each of us sympathized with the suffering that the people were going through,” she recalled.

“Sisters Gather” from All Over the World

Some Palestinian players flew in from their homes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank or East Jerusalem, others from the global diaspora, thousands of miles from the scene of the conflict.

Five players from the West Bank, including Abuaita, drove to Jordan to fly to the Republic of Ireland because Palestine has no airport and a permit is required to fly from Israel's Tel Aviv airport. Although the route to Queen Alia Airport in Jordan is relatively short, the trip took up to 10 hours because of three separate security checkpoints.

Palestine players celebrate their first goal during the friendly match against Bohemians at Dalymount Park Stadium in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Photo: Getty Images

But at least they can still go. Since the team was founded in 2013, no member of the squad has come from Gaza due to Israel's blockade of the area. Current players typically come from Palestinian communities in Germany, Sweden, Canada and Saudi Arabia.

Goalkeeper Charlotte Phillips, 18, was born in Canada to a Bahamian father and a Palestinian mother. Her grandparents fled Jerusalem in the mid-1970s and moved to Canada, later opening a Palestinian restaurant in Toronto. Phillips is now a university student in Toronto.

“Since I live in Canada, I cannot fully understand the hardships that people living in Palestine are going through. So participating in the match with my grandparents as witnesses means a lot to our family.”

“We will not give up”

Natour and Abuaita expressed their bittersweet feelings during the precious minutes they spent together on the pitch, while also paying tribute to those struggling with life in Gaza.

Abuaita said the team tried their best as a way to pay respect to those who died in the conflict and also to announce to the world that we Palestinians are still fighting.

Palestine women's national team goalkeeper Charlotte Phillips with her grandparents after the match at Dalymount Park in the Irish capital Dublin. Photo: Getty Images

“We are fighting for everyone, for those who died... and for the athletes who cannot compete because there are no more stadiums in Gaza, they have been completely destroyed,” she shared.

Since the match in Dublin, the Palestinian men's and women's national teams have played a number of international friendlies. The Palestinian men's team is still in contention for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after qualifying from the third round of Asian qualifying this summer.

“Football is a source of hope and unity for the Palestinian people,” said captain Natour. “More importantly, it inspires the younger generation to always dream and strive for a better future, no matter what happens.”

Ha Trang (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/doi-tuyen-bong-da-nu-palestine-va-khat-vong-tro-lai-sau-cuoc-chien-o-gaza-post308159.html