Karate initiative in Gaza defies destruction and displacement

During a press conference titled "A Thousand New Dreams Born from the Rubble," the Federation described the preparation of these athletes as a "sporting and humanitarian achievement."

The demonstrations were presented by the blind international athlete Moamen al-Bitar, according to a statement by the Federation.

Among the participants stood young Rama al-Sweir, who found in karate a space to overcome the isolation and psychological pressures she experienced during the Israeli genocide, and a family that gives her a sense of belonging and safety.

Al-Sweir told Anadolu that the war made her prone to isolation and depression and made it difficult for her to communicate with others before she joined the karate training.

As the training continued, she began to feel part of a family that brings her together with the rest of the trainees and their coach, Hassan al-Ra'i, according to her.

She adds that the training continued despite the bombing, Israeli military operations, displacement, and the loss of people from their surroundings.

She points to the coach's keenness to gather the trainees and maintain their cohesion, until they began to treat each other as one family.

She explains that the sport helped her gain calmness and control her nerves, especially during times of bombing and fear.

The Vice President of the Palestinian Karate Federation, Hassan al-Ra'i, told Anadolu that the Federation succeeded in preparing 1,000 new male and female athletes, despite the harsh conditions imposed by the war on the Gaza Strip.

He explained that the training faced major challenges, including the destruction of sports clubs and the difficulty of finding suitable places, which forced coaches to work inside tents and displacement camps.

He added that these conditions did not deter the Federation from continuing its activity, but rather pushed it to search for opportunities to build hope and prepare new champions.

He emphasized that Palestinian children deserve opportunities to practice sports and develop their abilities, and that the initiative carries a message to the world regarding their right to life, creativity, and participation in sports arenas.

He called on international institutions and civil society organizations to provide the necessary support to ensure the continuity of training and the care of the athletes.

During the press conference, al-Ra'i said that the Federation was able, despite the destruction and the loss of many resources, to make karate practice available to children, girls, youth, and people with disabilities, according to the Federation's statement.

He considered that sport is not a luxury, but a space for psychological and social recovery, and a means to protect childhood and enhance self-confidence.

For his part, the Secretary of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and former Secretary of the Palestinian Sports Media Federation, Ahed Farwana, said that the event was organized in cooperation with the Syndicate, which called for it and contributed to arranging it.

He explained, in a phone interview with Anadolu, that the participation came in support of the initiative launched by the Karate Federation following the ceasefire agreement.

He mentioned that the initiative includes trainees from different age groups, including people with disabilities and amputees, and allows them to continue practicing sports despite the difficult conditions in the Strip.

He pointed out that the training takes place in various parts of Gaza, including displacement camps and shelters, and most of it is held inside tents set up specifically for this purpose.

He added that the athletes sometimes train in sports facilities that are still available, whenever conditions permit, in light of the destruction that affected the facilities and the difficulty of accessing suitable places for training.

In turn, Mohammed Hamada, one of the trainees' parents, said that practicing karate helped children learn commitment and ethics and enhanced their ability to socialize.

He added to Anadolu that the Gaza Strip faces major challenges that make the continuation of sports activities in need of support and care.

He called on parents to encourage their children and support them to achieve their ambitions and reach advanced sports levels.

The initiative comes in light of the widespread losses that affected athletes and sports facilities during the Israeli genocide on the Gaza Strip.

According to a previous statement by the Secretary-General of the Palestinian Sports Media Federation, Mustafa Siyam, to Anadolu, Israel has killed more than 1,000 athletes and scouts during 3 years of genocide, and destroyed more than 265 sports facilities completely or partially.

In October 2023, Israel launched a genocide on the Gaza Strip, with American support, which left more than 74,000 dead and over 175,000 wounded Palestinians, and massive destruction that affected 90 percent of the civilian infrastructure.

Despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 2025, Israel continues its aggression on the Strip with bombing and gunfire, killing and wounding hundreds of Palestinians, including athletes.