The first Palestinian athlete to participate in the Olympic games died on Wednesday at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza as a result of kidney failure due to power outages and medical shortages as a result of the ongoing Israeli war and siege of the enclave.
Majed Abu Maraheel, who passed away at the age of 61, became the first athlete to be the flag bearer and represent Palestinians at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996. Being a distance runner, he competed in the 10km race.
Since his breakthrough on the world stage, more than 20 Palestinian men and women have been able to compete at Olympic competitions.
"He was a Palestinian icon, and he will remain as such," his brother told Paltoday TV after the funeral.
"We tried to evacuate him to Egypt but then the Rafah crossing was closed (by Israel), and his condition kept deteriorating."
In his preparation for the Olympics, Abu Maraheel would often be seen on his daily runs from his home in Gaza to the Erez Crossing with Israel, which Israel closed in October after imposing a full blockade on the Strip.
Last month, it was reopened for the first time since then.
He would often have to pass through that crossing for his job as a day labourer in Israel. After participating in the Olympics, Abu Maraheel went on to become a coach for other Palestinian runners hoping to replicate his presence at the international competition.
Abu Maraheel's death highlights the grim fate of many Palestinians who are facing kidney failure in Gaza.
A report from the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor in March found that there were between 1,000 to 1,500 patients in Gaza with kidney failure, and that they are facing a "slow death" because of "a lack of medical and therapeutic services, medications and other necessities".
Israel denies blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza, though aid agencies say they are not able to get aid in because of Israeli restrictions.
[original post that sof's library (@/folkoftheshelf) is reacting to: Globe Eye News reports: "White House says no "genocide" happening in Gaza." May 13, 2024]
My children. My screams. I could not save you, little ones. Such pain. And yet, still, still I am not brave enough to die, to let go of this wretched life. I will endure, but no more babies. I cannot, will not, suffer such heartbreak again. From now on, it's me against the world.
At least 140 Palestinians were executed among them are children
The building that the Israeli occupation blew up this morning in Al-Shifa Medical Complex is the nerve center of the health sector in Gaza City and its north.
All the heart devices, X-ray imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging equipment in Gaza were destroyed after the specialized building was bombed today.
The specialized building destroyed by the occupation contained the largest drug store in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli burned homes last night that were sheltering civilians.
There are families trapped and starving in Al-Shifa Medical Complex since the occupation army entered it days ago.
“Israel bombing targets any moving object inside and around Al-Shifa Medical
Complex.
Communications are still cut off with everyone inside Al-Shifa Medical Complex.
There is no truth to the claims about the israli army withdrawing from Al-Shifa