Tag: qatar

Photojournalist Motaz Azaiza evacuates from Gaza | Israel War on Gaza News

His coverage was often raw, unfiltered videos about the civilian impact of Israeli air strikes.

Photojournalist Motaz Azaiza, who has been documenting the impact of the war in the Gaza Strip, has left the enclave and headed to Qatar.

Azaiza announced on Instagram on Tuesday that he was leaving the besieged strip before boarding a Qatari military airplane at Egypt’s El Arish International Airport. However, it is unclear how he was able to leave Gaza or why he has evacuated.

“This is the last time you will see me with this heavy, stinky [press] vest. I decided to evacuate today. … Hopefully soon I’ll jump back and help to build Gaza again,” Azaiza said in a video.

 

The 24-year-old Palestinian captured the attention of millions globally as he filmed himself in a press vest and helmet to document conditions during Israel’s war, which has killed more than 25,000 people in Gaza.

Israel launched its offensive after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,139 people and taking more than 200 people captive.

Azaiza’s coverage often took the form of raw, unfiltered videos about injured children or families crushed under rubble in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes.

He said he has had to “evacuate for a lot of reasons you all know some of it but not all of it”.

In his post, he was seen on a video about to board a grey plane emblazoned with the words “Qatar Emiri Air Force”.

“First video outside Gaza,” he said in one clip, revealing that it was his first time on a plane. “Heading to Qatar.”

He also shared a video of the inside of the plane as it landed in Doha.

Since the start of the war, the photojournalist has amassed millions of followers across multiple platforms.

His Instagram following has grown from about 27,500 to 18.25 million in the more than 100 days since October 7, according to an assessment of social media analytics by Al Jazeera.

His Facebook account grew from a similar starting point to nearly 500,000 followers. He now has one million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter.

As well as his social media posts, Azaiza has produced content for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNWRA).

Social media users thanked Azaiza for his coverage of the war, many saluting him as a hero.

“Thank you for everything you have done, you have moved mountains , what you have done in the last 100 days people can’t do in their whole lifetime. You were a pivotal voice in showing the world the Israeli atrocities in Gaza. Wishing you well and safety,” one user said on X.

“I’m so glad you had the opportunity to get out, God willing, YOU WILL RETURN TO A FREE PALESTINE,” wrote another.

“We love you so deeply,” American musician Kehlani wrote, adding, “Thank you for your humanity.”

“Frame that vest. It’s the armor of one of history’s greatest heroes,” comedian Sammy Obeid said.



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Qatar storm to the knock-out stage with perfect record | Football

Hosts Qatar stormed to the knock-out stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 with a 1-0 win against China.

AFC Asian Cup hosts Qatar finished their group stage in style on Monday with a spectacular volley from Hassan Al-Haydos for a 1-0 win over China, which is on the brink of elimination from the tournament.

The deadlock at the Khalifa International Stadium was broken midway through the second half with an unforgettable strike. Akram Afif’s corner was immediately met outside the area by Al-Haydos, who confidently volleyed into the top corner. Both players had just been introduced as substitutes.

Qatar, who had already secured its spot in the knockout stage, topped Group A with nine points and advanced with Tajikistan, who beat last-place Lebanon 2-1 to take second place with four points.

China finished with just two points and failed to score in any of their three games. They have never won the Asian Cup and must now wait for other results but have only the faintest of chances of squeezing into the next round as one of the four best-performing third-place teams in the six groups.

Qatar may have lost all three games on home soil at the 2022 World Cup but have been perfect in the Asian Cup, advancing to the round of 16 by winning all three games without conceding a goal.

Already certain of the top spot heading into the match, defending champions Qatar made nine changes from the previous game, handing the initiative to China who created better chances in the first half.

Wei Shihao had three opportunities to score his team’s first goal. After just seven minutes, he side-footed wide from just inside the area and later, his low shot from close range was saved by Qatar’s Saad Al Sheeb.

Wei went close again right before the break with a header that just cleared the bar.

After Al-Haydos’s superb goal in the 66th, China had the ball in the net with three minutes remaining but Jiang Shenglong’s shot was ruled out as the ball had gone out of play in the buildup.

In the group’s other fixture, Tajikistan rallied to beat Lebanon and advance to the knockout stage for the first time.

“We made history today and this is the biggest thing for the Tajikistan people,” coach Petar Segrt said. “It was difficult but we kept fighting and we did it.”

Lebanon took the lead early in the second half with a curling shot from Bassel Jradi but were reduced to 10 men after 54 minutes because of a foul by Kassem El Zein.

Tajikistan had two goals ruled out for offside but finally scored with 10 minutes remaining. Parvizdzhon Umarbaev scored, then Nuriddin Khamrokulov headed home a winning goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.



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Qatar announces Israel-Hamas deal for medicine and aid to enter Gaza | Israel War on Gaza News

Shipment of aid for Palestinians and medicines for captives held by Hamas to leave Doha on Wednesday for Egypt and transport to Gaza.

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to allow medicines to be delivered to Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip and for aid to be transported to residents in the besieged Palestinian territory, Qatar has announced.

The deal will see humanitarian aid delivered to civilians in “the most affected and vulnerable areas” in Gaza in exchange for the delivery of medication to Israeli captives held by Hamas, the group that governs Gaza, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said medication and aid will leave Doha on Wednesday for the Egyptian city of El Arish in preparation for their delivery into the Gaza Strip.

He said the agreement was mediated by Qatar in cooperation with France.

Earlier, Philippe Lalliot, head of France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Crisis Centre, which organises aid efforts, said negotiations had been going on for weeks and the initial idea had come from the families of some of the Israeli hostages.

Specific medical packages for several months, which were put together in France, would be delivered to each of the 45 hostages. The International Committee of the Red Cross will coordinate on the ground.

Hamas seized about 240 people as hostages during its attack on southern Israel on October 7 in which at least 1,139 people were killed, according to an Al Jazeera tally based on official statistics.

Israel responded to the assault with a devastating bombardment, siege and ground invasion of Gaza. More than 24,000 people have been killed in the Israeli assault, according to Palestinian authorities.

More than 100 captives were freed during a week-long truce in late November following lengthy negotiations mediated by Qatar and the United States. In exchange, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from jails.

Earlier on Tuesday, the White House said US Middle East Envoy Brett McGurk was in Doha in recent days discussing a possible deal for the release of captives.

National security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that McGurk was involved in “very serious and intensive discussions” with the Qataris about another deal.

“We are hopeful it will bear fruit and bear fruit soon,” he said.

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Palestine lose to Iran but win hearts on ‘special night’ at Asian Cup | AFC Asian Cup News

Education City Stadium, Qatar – In the end, Palestine lost to Iran on the pitch but the team and the Palestinian people won over thousands of hearts in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup at the Education City Stadium in Qatar.

The 4-1 scoreline in Iran’s favour fairly reflected the possession and dominance that the Asian powerhouse enjoyed in the Group C match on Sunday night, but it does not tell the story of a crowd that was united behind Palestine amid Israel’s devastating war on Gaza.

From the moment the stadium’s gates opened to the public, Palestine had some form of representation in the crowd filing into the venue in Al Rayyan, on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha.

Fans from dozens of different nationalities who call Qatar home came dressed in Palestine shirts or draped in its flag and keffiyehs.

They danced to “Dammi Falastini” as the popular unofficial Palestinian anthem was played outside the stadium and watched in awe as a Palestinian dabke group performed on a stage outside the turnstiles.

As fans soaked in the atmosphere, two Palestinian sisters whose family hails from Gaza admitted it was an emotional night for them.

“The show of support we have seen here makes us feel acknowledged,” they told Al Jazeera, requesting anonymity.

“We have never been able to travel to our native land [Gaza]. It’s unjust and upsetting because wherever we go, it never feels like home.”

Palestine fans in the stands during the match [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

‘Special night’

Despite the importance of the match – in a group that also includes Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates – Iranian fans acknowledged the emotional importance of the night.

Ali Mir, from Iran, arrived with a unique flag: half Iranian and half Palestinian.

“These two countries are playing a very important match tonight and will be opponents, but in reality, they are brothers and are striving for peace in the world,” he said.

“So I am here to support both on this special night.”

Ali Mir, a fan outside Education City Stadium ahead of the match [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Emotions were running high in the stands, too.

When national anthems of both countries were played ahead of kick-off, the Iranian anthem was received with a loud rendition by the team’s raucous supporters.

And when “Fidai Baladi” rang out, the Palestinians could not hold back their emotions as they sang along.

Iran’s fan groups backed Team Melli vociferously from the stands with drums and large flags.

They had barely begun warming up when Iran opened the scoring in the second minute.

Palestine found themselves chasing the game throughout the first half, but provided their fans with a moment of joy when they scored in the sixth minute of added time.

The crowd erupted in a loud cheer and chanted for the men in red.

The Palestinian team put on an improved display in the second half, but were unable to score and instead conceded a fourth goal.

Palestine fans cheer at Education City Stadium as their team pulls a goal back [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

‘Gaza is on our mind’

Laith Saleh, a Palestinian who grew up in Jordan after his family fled from Ramallah in the early 2000s, was disappointed with the result but said he understood it must not have been easy for Palestine’s players to focus on football as the war on their homeland rages on for the 100th day.

“It’s not just about tonight or this match – Gaza is on our mind every moment of every day,” he told Al Jazeera.

“I know how hard it is myself – I work as a chef and every time I cook a meal from my homeland, it makes me very emotional. And when I sit down to eat, I can’t help but think of my brothers and sisters who are starving in this war.”

Like most displaced Palestinians, he is not able to visit his family back home whenever he wants. He urged the world to do more to help bring an end to the war.

“It has been going on for 100 years, not days – and the whole world has not been able to stop it,” he said with a shrug.

After the full-time whistle, some dejected Palestinian players dropped on their haunches, but others walked up to their fans to acknowledge their support.

Iran find themselves on top of the group and with a good chance of progressing to the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, Palestine will have to somehow pick themselves up ahead of their second match against the UAE.

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Palestine footballer’s cousin killed in Gaza ahead of Asian Cup match | Israel War on Gaza

NewsFeed

Palestinian striker Mahmoud Wadi learned that his cousin had been killed in Gaza while he was at his final training session before Palestine’s first match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar against Iran in Group C.

Published On 14 Jan 2024

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Hosts Qatar thrill fans with winning start at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 | AFC Asian Cup News

Qatar begin their Asian Cup title defence in style with a 3-0 win over Lebanon in front of a passionate home crowd.

Lusail, Qatar – A little over a year since capturing the world’s attention in a memorable World Cup final, Qatar’s Lusail Stadium returned to the limelight as it hosted the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The regional tournament may not have the same ring to it as the World Cup, the players on the pitch may not evoke the same reactions as a certain Lionel Messi or a Kylian Mbappe, but there was no lack of passion as a major international football tournament returned to the country on Friday night.

A grand opening ceremony set the tone in the middle, a ring of colourful fireworks surrounded the golden mesh-like structure of the country’s biggest football venue and the home team came out of the opening match with a comfortable win over regional rivals Lebanon.

“It feels just like the World Cup to us,” Abdullah Sulaiti, an overjoyed Qatar fan, told Al Jazeera after Qatar’s 3-0 win in the Group A fixture that attracted more than 82,000 fans to the stadium.

“I’ve heard people say the ‘vibes’ are not the same as the World Cup but they need to step inside a stadium to feel the electric atmosphere.”

Qatari fans celebrate a comfortable victory [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Indeed, before kickoff and up until the end of the first half, fans of both teams were making themselves heard with their singing and flag-waving. However, as soon as Qatar’s lead doubled 11 minutes into the second half, most of the crowd began making a beeline for the exit.

“We know our team has three points in the bag and we’ll back to support them in the next match,” Sara al-Malki, who watched the match with her three children, said while making her way to the exit.

A winning start for the Al Annabi (the Maroons) delighted the home fans who had been desperate for their team to show a glimpse of their title-winning run in 2019.

For Lebanon, and their fans who turned up in their thousands, it was a disappointing start to the tournament and one that leaves them clinging on to the hope that they can turn things around in their next two group games.

“I am not surprised at the result but perhaps the margin of it,” Abdul Rehman Fidawi told Al Jazeera after the match.

“Some of these players work a day job and then put in a shift on the pitch for the team, so it’s not fair to judge them against a team that has a better quality of players and facilities,” he said.

Fidawi said it did not surprise him to see a large turnout of Lebanese supporters.

“We may not have one of the best teams but we certainly have a huge presence in Qatar,” he added with a smile.

Akram Afif celebrates scoring for Qatar [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

There was no lack of support for Palestine either.

It began as thousands of fans thronged the public transport, the streets leading up to the stadium and the venue itself in Palestinian colours.

Be it the black and white keffiyeh, a large flag draped across their backs, or smaller ones in their hands, football fans from across the region carried solidarity with the war-struck people of Palestine into the stadium.

“It means a lot to us when people put on such displays, especially the segment in the opening ceremony where acknowledged our identity – it showed the world that the Palestinians are not alone,” Dia Ebwini, a Qatar-based Palestinian, said.

Qatar’s captain Hassan al-Haydos, who was meant to take the oath as the representative of the host nation, passed on the honour to his Palestinian counterpart in a move that was welcomed by applause and chants in support of Palestine.

With the Palestinian team set to open their campaign in two day’s time against Iran, a bigger display of solidarity and show of emotions may still unfold at the Education City Stadium.

Until then, Qatar and its fans will bask in a moment that has been a year in the making – a win at the country’s iconic venue.

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Which teams are favourites to win the AFC Asian Cup 2023? | AFC Asian Cup News

The AFC Asian Cup 2023, hosted by defending champions Qatar, starts on January 11.

A glittering array of star names are spread across some of the favourite teams vying to be crowned Asia’s best. Here are five of the best squads:

1. Japan

Defeated in the final by Qatar in 2019, Japan are the clear favourites to lift the Asian Cup trophy this time, which would mark a record-extending fifth crown. The resources of the highest ranked FIFA team (17th) at the Asian Cup are so strong that Japan’s coach, Hajime Moriyasu, has been able to leave out Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada.

To make that decision even more controversial is the selection of Kauro Mitoma, who was initially ruled out for six weeks by his club Brighton when he injured his ankle in December. It’s a huge gamble by Moriyasu and one that could backfire spectacularly if Mitoma fails to return to full fitness – and, with it, the form that has seen him backed so vehemently by his coach.

Waturo Endo, who has seamlessly switched from Stuttgart to Liverpool this season, will provide the core stability in Japan’s midfield and is a proven performer.

The player who could ignite not only Japan but also the tournament itself, however, is Takefusa Kubo. If the Real Sociedad midfielder can transfer his La Liga form to the Asian Cup, then this could be the coming-of-age moment for a player who has been courted by Barcelona and Real Madrid through his childhood. If Kubo confirms his potential in Qatar, top clubs all across the world may well line up for his signature in the summer.

Japan have appeared in five of the last eight finals so, at whatever stage they are met, they will be the team to beat.

2. South Korea

From the player with the most potential to the player with the finest track record in Asian football, Son Heung-min is the captain of a Premier League title-chasing team at Tottenham Hotspur, where he has helped to fill the void left by Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich. He is also a three-time Asian Footballer of the Year.

Son will be the main focus of his country’s aspiration’s to close the gap on Japan’s record number of Asian crowns, having lifted the trophy on only two previous occasions – and not since 1960. South Korea, knocked out by Qatar in the quarterfinals in 2019, are balanced at the other end of the pitch by “The Beast” – Kim Min-jae. The Bayern Munich central defender, who helped Napoli end their 33-year wait for a Serie A title last season, will be the rock upon which his team can rely.

The trio of star names for South Korea is completed by Lee Kang-in. The Paris Saint-Germain forward could benefit from a little extra space offered if opposing defences are focused on Son. This, of course, could work in reverse, but either way, the forward pair will be a formidable threat as South Korea aim to end 64 years of hurt and lift the Asian Cup once again.

South Korea’s Son Heung-min cut a lonely figure after the quarterfinal defeat to Qatar in 2019 [File: Suhaib Salem/Reuters]

3. Saudi Arabia

Conquerors of Argentina in the group stage at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Saudi Arabia are the clear challengers to the two favourites from East Asia.

The Saudi Pro League underwent a huge transformation in 2023 with the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Neymar headlining an importation of talent that lifted the competition to a new level. That uplift will, in turn, have had a trickle-down effect on the Saudi players already plying their trade in the league.

The training, tactics and experience that have come with the purchase of the world-class names can only benefit the growth of the Saudi game. Al Hilal’s Salem Al-Dawsari will point to his own development, though, after he rose to prominence with the winning goal against Argentina.

The 32-year-old winger wrote himself into history with the strike from the edge of the box and won the Asian Footballer of the Year for 2022 as a result.

Another player who could have a similar impact at this tournament by grabbing the goals and the headlines for Saudi Arabia is Firas Al-Buraikan. The 23-year-old has 16 goals and assists in 17 games for Al Ahli this season – the most by a Saudi national in the league.

Meanwhile, Nawaf Al-Aqidi will challenge for the accolades, or at least the regard, as the number one goalkeeper in Asia. The Al Nassr keeper is now accustomed to stopping shots in training from Ronaldo and Mane. The three-time winners and six-time finalists have not lifted the trophy since 1996.

4. Qatar

The defending champions will rightly brim with confidence in this edition, for which they have the additional strength of home advantage. That is an edge that many nations across the years will attest to, but it can also come with a heavy weight. The 3-1 win in the 2019 final against Japan upset the odds and handed Qatar their first Asian Cup triumph. 

Akram Afif remains the star Qatari name – etched in history by his penalty to seal the final four years ago. Snapped up by Villareal in Spain in 2016, the 27-year-old returned a hero to Al Sadd, where it all began for him, in 2020. Although Afif netted in the final warm-up match for this tournament, he couldn’t stop his side slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Jordan, which will have had something of an unsettling affect on the squad.

The highest FIFA ranking achieved by The Maroons prior to winning the Asian Cup was in 1993 when they reached 53rd in the world. Their victory against Japan propelled them to 42nd, but they have since slipped back to 58th – two positions below Saudi Arabia.

On the two previous occasions they hosted the Asian Cup, they reached the quarterfinals in 2011 – losing 3-2 in the final minute of the match to eventual winners Japan – and missed out on the semifinals in 1988 by one point in the then five-team group stage.

Qatar’s Hasan Al Haydos lifts the trophy as they celebrate winning the Asian Cup in 2019 [File: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters]

5. Iran

Iran were the golden boys of Asian football in the 1960s and 1970s as they claimed three successive titles in 1968, 1972 and 1976. Since then, they have never reached the final.

That hasn’t stopped them courting success on the global stage, where the World Cup has been a joyful playground. They have made six appearances in the tournament, including the last three editions and their first coming two years after their final Asian Cup win. This has resulted in a climb as high as 15th in the world rankings, but they have never progressed past the group stage at a World Cup. They currently stand at 22nd – two places above South Korea.

Is a return to the final after more than four decades in the offing for Iran? One thing is for sure, with their performances on the global stage and the resulting rankings, Iran cannot be regarded as underdogs or dark horses at any stage of the event.



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Blinken says Palestinians displaced in Gaza must be able to return home | Israel War on Gaza News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that Palestinian civilians must be able to return home and rejected statements by Israeli officials calling for the mass displacement of Gaza residents.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha on Sunday alongside Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Blinken said the United Nations can play a crucial role in allowing displaced civilians in Gaza to return home as Israel moves to a “lower-intensity phase” of its military campaign.

“They [Palestinian civilians] cannot – they must not – be pressed to leave Gaza,” he said.

The top US diplomat condemned the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Hamza Dahdouh, the son of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief and correspondent Wael Dahdouh, and called it an “unimaginable tragedy”.

Hamza was killed along with fellow journalist Mustafa Thuraya in an Israeli attack on southern Gaza on Sunday.

Israeli forces previously killed several members of Wael Dahdouh’s immediate family in an air raid.

“I can’t begin to imagine the horror that he’s experienced – not once, but now twice,” Blinken said.

“This is why we are pressing the need – the imperative – not only of making sure that humanitarian assistance can get to people who need it, but that people are protected from harm from this conflict in the first place.”

Tamer Qarmout, assistant professor in public policy at the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera that while Blinken has expressed sorrow over Dahdouh’s loss, the top US diplomat has not held Israel accountable for killing journalists in Gaza.

The US Department of State has issued emergency declarations twice in recent weeks to deliver bombs to Israel without congressional oversight.

At the press conference in Doha, Blinken said that all US weapons deliveries to any country, including Israel, are made with conditions that humanitarian law is respected.

He said that while Israel has a right to target Hamas and ensure that the group can no longer launch attacks, it is “imperative” to protect civilians.

“As operations phase down, that will certainly make it easier to ensure that civilians are not harmed and will also ensure that more assistance can get to people who need it,” he said.

Qatar’s Al Thani said that the world is getting used to the images of civilian suffering in Gaza.

“This is a big test for our humanity,” he said.

At least 22,835 people have been killed – including 9,600 children – in Israel’s assault on Gaza since October 7, according to Palestinian officials. At least 1,140 people were killed in Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, according to Israeli authorities, and around 240 others taken captive.

Al Thani said the killing of Hamas deputy political leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut has affected Qatar’s efforts to negotiate between the Palestinian group and Israel over freeing the captives.

Qatar previously played a key role in mediating a seven-day truce between Israel and Hamas that saw more than 100 captives freed and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails.

Al Thani said Doha continues to negotiate and that he and Blinken discussed efforts to reach a ceasefire and ensure the release of more captives.

Blinken warns Houthis

The top US diplomat was in Doha as a part of a week-long diplomacy tour in the Middle East, seeking to calm what he said is a “moment of profound tension” in the region amid Israel’s three-month-long war in Gaza.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have frequently exchanged cross-border fire.

Dozens of Lebanese civilians and more than 140 Hezbollah members have been killed in the fighting, leading to growing concern that the Gaza war could escalate into a regional conflagration.

On a separate front, the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen have fired missiles at Israel and carried out several attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The group, which controls much of Yemen, say they are targeting vessels which are destined for Israel.

The attacks have led to many global shipping companies including Maersk to avoid the Red Sea shipping route, and the US has responded by setting up a multinational maritime force to protect shipping lanes in the region.

Blinken noted how the Houthi attacks were “hurting people around the world”, with shipping costs increasing and goods deliveries taking longer. He stressed that Washington is keen to ensure the war does not spread.

“Over a dozen countries have made clear that the Houthis will be held accountable for future attacks,” Blinken said, referring to the US-led coalition.

Qarmout told Al Jazeera that it is clear that the Americans are sending a clear message from Doha to neighbouring Iran, who back the Houthis, that they [the US] doesn’t want to see an escalation of the war.

“There is war fatigue … It is an elections year in the US as well. I think the Americans don’t have an appetite for this conflict to escalate and to involve other parties like Hezbollah and Iran,” Qarmout said.

“So I think there is a sincere will by the Americans to engage in diplomacy and achieve some gains.”

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‘No place for genocide’: Qatar football fans stand for Gaza against Israel | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Doha, Qatar – While football players and fans around the world are being reprimanded for displays of solidarity with Palestine, thousands gathered at the Education City Stadium in Qatar to show their support and help raise money for Palestinians facing the wrath of Israel’s war on Gaza.

As the sun set on a windy Friday evening at the former Qatar World Cup 2022 venue on the outskirts of the capital, Doha, fans dressed in Palestinian colours and waving the Palestinian flag flocked to the venue in high spirits.

The Stand with Palestine charity match was arranged by the Qatar Foundation. It was based on an initiative by a group of students hoping to raise money through ticket sales and create awareness about the situation in Gaza, where nearly 19,000 people, including more than 7,000 children, have been killed in the Israeli bombardment since October 7.

Karim Abbas, one of the Palestinian students involved in organising the event, said the match was being played “for the children of Palestine”.

“As a Palestinian myself, it’s very hard to see those videos [from Gaza] but then I imagine the people living through the oppression and I realise it’s much more difficult to endure,” a visibly emotional Abbas told Al Jazeera.

The participating teams comprised students from two Qatar-based schools and international footballers, including former Spanish World Cup winner Javi Martinez, Morocco international Soufiane Boufal and several Qatar national team players. One team represented Qatar, the other Palestine.

Moroccan footballer Badr Benoun signs a fan’s Palestine flag [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

‘We have not forgotten’

Despite the presence of global and regional stars, fans inside the 40,000-capacity stadium remained focused on their main job for the night – waving the Palestinian flag and raising their voices for the people of Gaza.

“We are here to tell the people of Gaza that we have not forgotten them,” Abdellah Abdul Razzaq, a Qatar-based Canadian, said ahead of the match.

“In 2023, there’s no place for genocide.”

Abdellah Abdul Razzaq said he wants his young son to learn to stand on ‘the right side of history’ by supporting Palestine [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

In the build-up to the match, star footballers walked on to the pitch and interacted with fans by giving autographs and posing for photos.

As the players went back to their dressing rooms and the fans waited for the match to get under way, a familiar tune blared from the PA system and the crowd instantly jumped to its feet.

The popular Palestinian song “Dammi Falasteeni” (my blood is Palestinian) rang around the compact stadium and fans of all ages, economic backgrounds and nationalities sang and danced along.

Fans of all ages sang and danced along to ‘Dammi Falasteeni’ [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

For the Palestinians present in the stands, the crowd’s loud rendition of the song’s chorus brought a gush of emotions.

“To see all these people, whether they are Palestinian or not, supporting the cause of Palestine makes me very happy,” Abdel Wahab al-Masri, a Palestinian based in Doha, told Al Jazeera.

“If people in Gaza were able to see this support, it would give them strength and greater power to resist the occupation,” he added.

Al-Masri and his five compatriots held up a large Palestinian flag as he explained how the people of his country find the courage to resist Israel’s occupation of their land.

“The courage and resistance you see is something all Palestinians grow up with,” he said, referring to social videos of Palestinian children vowing to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.

“The mental toughness to understand that it [Gaza] is their land and, once the war ends, they will have to reclaim it is part of their upbringing,” al-Masri said, as the song kept playing on loop.

Abdel Wahab al-Masri (third left) and his compatriots hold up a large Palestine flag [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

‘An unprecedented war’

Emotions were running high for everyone in the crowd, and not just the Palestinians.

For Chique Leo, from the Philippines, it was a matter of showing the “disgusting” world leaders that Palestinians are not alone.

“It breaks my heart to see civilians dying in their hundreds every day – parents losing their daughters and sons, children losing their parents but they [world leaders] don’t care because they are busy enjoying their comfortable lifestyles,” the 55-year-old said as her voice trembled with anger.

“This is an unprecedented war and the way the world is letting this continue and dehumanising Palestinians is unbearable.”

Players in action during the Stand with Palestine football match [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

As kickoff approached, the number of people in the stands grew and so did the fundraising figures. According to the organisers, 20 million Qatari riyals ($5.5m) had been raised by the end of the match.

Light-hearted, on-field action was no match for the charged crowd, which kept “Palestine!” in their chants throughout the match.

Drum beats were followed by roars of “Falasteen”, Mexican waves turned into Palestinian waves as thousands of flags were raised in unison.

The match ended in a 4-3 (penalty shoot-out) win for Palestine, but it was hard to tell which team represented the home crowd, as players from both sides came together to wave the red, white, black and green flag one more time.

The crowd kept up their chants for Palestine throughout the event [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

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Sergey Lavrov: The Russian approaches to Gaza and Ukraine | Politics

The Russian foreign minister debates his country’s approaches to Gaza and Ukraine.

In a world grappling with its geopolitics being fragmented, the East versus West competition for power is seemingly threatening to divide and polarise the global order.

Russia’s ability to selectively influence leaders and events in various parts of the world is vital when discussing international crises.

On this special edition of Talk to Al Jazeera, we go to the Doha Forum 2023, where we connect with Russia’s top diplomat to discuss the war on Gaza and Ukraine and his country’s apparently contradicting stands on both conflicts.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, talks to Al Jazeera.

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