Even Israel’s interminable blockade of Gaza has not killed the Palestinian people’s love of soccer.

On July 19, Gaza residents of all ages gathered in the dark to tune into a live TV broadcast of the FIFA World Cup final.

Israeli attacks continued during the quadrennial international soccer tournament. On July 7, an Israeli air strike killed Mohamed al-Wahidi, a 65-year-old humanitarian relief activist, who was organizing public screenings of World Cup matches in Gaza.

He died just before the Argentina-Egypt match--a hugely anticipated........

© The Asahi Shimbun