Deir el-Balah, Gaza – A day within the lifetime of Khalid Mohammed Abu-Habel would begin with him preparing for lessons at a hospital in Gaza, discussing drugs and healthcare together with his colleagues, getting again dwelling for lunch together with his mother and father, attending soccer coaching and learning drugs at night time.
Belonging to a working-class household, he lived in a small home with 4 siblings and his mother and father. Whereas cash was all the time a problem for the household, particularly given the financial state of affairs in Gaza because of the Israeli blockade, his household supported his dedication and keenness – and his dream of changing into a health care provider and footballer.
“For me, drugs is extra vital than soccer. I like each however drugs is undoubtedly extra honourable and vital,” Abu-Habel informed Al Jazeera.
“I used to be eager to review exhausting. I’d spend 5 to seven hours learning drugs. We might have soccer coaching for 2 to 3 days, with every session lasting as much as three hours. I solely slept for round six hours a day.
“However these had been pretty days.”
The “pretty days” had been earlier than October 7. Quick ahead three months, lives have been turned the wrong way up following Israel’s atrocities throughout the besieged enclave, with greater than 23,000 folks killed in Gaza.
In the beginning of the warfare, his household fled from the Maghazi to the Nuseirat refugee camp however returned final month. However when Israeli tanks surrounded Maghazi final week, he fled to Deir el-Balah.
Like most individuals within the space, Abu-Habel could need to flee once more. This time, additional south in direction of Rafah.
Soccer, in Gaza, meant life for all these dwelling below the crippling siege enforced by Israel greater than 15 years in the past.
Dozens of soccer golf equipment had been a part of Gaza’s 4 soccer leagues. Matches normally came about over the weekends to permit as many individuals as attainable to get pleasure from the most well-liked sport in Palestine.
On the matches, loud crowds roared and households gathered within the stands. Rivalries amongst the golf equipment inside the 365sq km (141sq miles) strip of land divided followers and gave an added spark to the matches.
The gang comprised principally of youngsters, the identical kids who’re mercilessly being focused in Israeli assaults. The warfare has disadvantaged them of their primary rights and pastimes, together with taking part in soccer on the streets.
With two sandals as goalposts, no particular recreation time and a low-quality ball – the youngsters of Gaza would discover pleasure in soccer.
Greater than 9,600 of these killed in Gaza since October 7 have been kids, with a whole bunch feared buried below the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli assaults.
‘Three months since I kicked a ball’
For the 22-year-old Abu-Habel, like a whole bunch of different aspiring footballers in Gaza left with nowhere to go, the game has been pressured to take a again seat.
“When my household was not satisfied that I may juggle drugs and soccer, I informed them I couldn’t go away soccer. They then inspired me to proceed however warned me from being distracted or losing my time.”
Simply 12 months in the past, Abu-Habel and his membership Al-Ataa from Khan Younis gained the third-tier championship to earn promotion. In 2022, he joined this membership on mortgage from his boyhood membership Khadamat Al-Maghazi, the place he started his soccer profession as a nine-year-old.
A skilful and key participant for each group he has performed for, Abu-Habel has earned recognition, accolades and awards wherever he’s gone.
“I used to be totally ready to placed on stellar shows on the pitch this season, however all the pieces has modified because of the Israeli aggression. It has now been three months since I kicked a ball.”
As an alternative, these final three months have been spent volunteering at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah as an emergency physician, working for greater than 72 hours per week, generally even longer.
“My love for my folks, my ardour for drugs, and the dedication I’ve to be taught and develop as a health care provider pushed me to work on the hospital. My folks want me now probably the most. I have to reply and be there for them.”
He began learning drugs in 2019 at Al-Azhar College in Gaza. Now, the college is a pile of rubble.
“I ought to’ve been on the hospital to review however the story modified within the blink of a watch. Now, right here I’m, taking a look at folks with limbs blown up mendacity and crying on the bottom. What an atrocity that is.
“Even earlier than the warfare, the state of affairs right here was not nice.”
Abu-Habel says he’s buried below the debt of loans he has taken through the years to pay for his college charges.
“I hope I pays all of them quickly… if I survive,” Abu-Habel stated, choking on the considered what lies forward for him amidst the warfare.
![Khalid Abu-Habel (second left) pictured with the youth team of Al-Maghazi football club in 2019 [Courtesy of Khalid Abu-Habel]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Khalid-in-the-youth-team-of-Al-Maghazi-2019-second-from-left-1704791591.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513)
‘I’m right here to consider’
After spending days at a stretch on the hospital, he tries to assist households in his neighbourhood – or no matter stays of it – together with his medical experience and in another means he can.
“It’s so exhausting. I actually don’t get time to relaxation. The variety of instances we obtain day-after-day is unbelievable however we should do our greatest to avoid wasting their lives. Circumstances range from warfare accidents to well being issues because of the lack of meals and water.
“What I’ve been seeing within the hospital during the last three months is really heartbreaking and nerve-wracking. Most instances are kids bleeding from each a part of their our bodies. The state of affairs deteriorates day by day.”
Even without end to the relentless Israeli air, sea and land assaults, Khalid hopes for a brighter future and to chase his [football] goals.
“I promised myself to work exhausting day in, time out. There are various challenges, significantly the occupation, however I’m right here to consider and proceed my obstacle-laden journey of signing my first skilled contract for a soccer membership in Europe.
“I like Manchester Metropolis and Barcelona, two golf equipment that Pep Guardiola impressed me to assist. I hope I can play for both of them someday.
“Earlier than that, I hope this warfare will finish quickly as a result of our goals are being destroyed.”
