Football offers escape for Gaza, but World Cup spirit dimmed

Gaza City, Gaza Strip – Sitting outside his makeshift tent in Gaza City’s Yarmouk Stadium, 43-year-old Sameeh Totah stares at the screen of his mobile phone, watching a World Cup game that took place the night before. While millions of football fans around the world follow the tournament in real time, Sameeh often has no choice but to rely on delayed broadcasts or match highlights due to frequent internet and electricity outages. Recommended Stories list of 3 items end of list “The situation is bad, especially the internet networks. They keep cutting out,” he said. “Sometimes you get the chance to watch a full match, but power cuts ruin the experience. It’s nothing like before the war, when electricity was available and there were places where people could gather to watch matches.” The father of six recalls the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when he was still living in his home in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood with his family. Watching football was then a social occasion that brought together friends and relatives, offering a brief escape despite the difficult circumstances already facing Gaza at the time. “At least back then, people felt relatively comfortable,” he said. “We could gather with friends and loved ones and watch the matches. Despite everything, there was still room for life.” Sameeh doesn’t live in Zeitoun any more. …