One of the writers of this opinion essay, who I have never heard of before now, wrote this about me when I was abducted and sexually abused by the Israeli terrorist forces in Nov 2023 in Gaza.
I saw screenshots of her comments today after her piece was published by Haaretz.
Her first comment was on a post by The New Yorker sharing news of my horrendous abduction and the second on a post by PEN America expressing their concern and calling for my protection.
This “writer” was accusing me of killing Jews and raping women.
This “writer” was accusing me of having other “hobbies” like killing Jews and raping women.
An Israeli “author” thinks poetry is a hobby. I don’t know how much “authors” like her know about literature and culture.
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This is one of the most heartbreaking photos I’m posting. I came across it today.
On the left is Suleiman al-Obeid, a star player for Khadamat al-Shati FC. On the right is Mohammad al-Malfouh, who played for Shabab Jabalia FC. The photo was taken in 2019, after a match between their two teams. Al-Malfouh posted it on his Facebook page with the caption: “Thank God, always and forever.” It was a proud moment for him to face al-Obeid, one of Gaza’s soccer legends, known as the “Pelé of Palestine.”
We now know that Israel killed Suleiman al-Obeid on August 6, 2025, while he was out seeking food. What was not widely known until now is that Mohammad al-Malfouh was killed much earlier, on December 11, 2023.
I feel a personal connection to both of them. I was born in al-Shati Camp, the home team of al-Obeid. As a teenager, I trained with the youth team of Shabab Jabalia FC, the very club where, years later, al-Malfouh would join the first team. I was teaching English in local schools whole al-Malfouh was named one of Gaza’s 10 top scorers in 2018.
My own soccer coach at Shabab Jabalia, Nihad al-Malfouh, Mohammad’s uncle, was killed in the same airstrike that took Mohammad’s life.
In the comments are more photo of Mohammad al-Malfouh (1996-2023)
Suleiman al-Obeid (1984-2025)
From a match while playing for Shabab Jabalia FC.
In 2020, al-Malfouh moved to another great team in Gaza, al-Hilal FC.