Palestinian Runner Allam Al-Amour Killed While Seeking Food Aid in Gaza

The Late Allam Abdullah Al-Amour (image source)

Palestinian international athlete Allam Abdullah Al-Amour was shot and killed by Israeli forces on August 27 while waiting to receive humanitarian food aid near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The 23-year-old runner, who had represented Palestine in regional competitions, was among thousands of civilians queuing at a US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution site.

“He never expected that his end would be a bullet to the head, instead of carrying food to feed his family,” read a statement from the Palestinian Athletics Federation.

Al-Amour won a bronze medal in the 3,000-metre race at the 2023 West Asia Championships in Doha. Known for his discipline and quiet determination, he was hailed as one of Gaza’s brightest athletic prospects. Family members told Anadolu Agency that Al-Amour was shot near the GHF site, which has been criticized by rights groups as a “death trap” due to its location in exposed areas under military control.

Since May 2025, over 2,150 Palestinians have died while attempting to collect food at GHF sites, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has documented both indiscriminate and targeted attacks on civilians at these locations.

“The aid centers are not safe zones—they’re kill zones,” said MSF field coordinator Dr. Lina Haroun.

Al-Amour’s death is part of a broader tragedy affecting Palestinian athletes. According to the Palestinian Sports Media Association, over 774 sportspeople have been killed since October 2023, including national basketball player Mohammed Shaalan and runner Sufyan Hamdan.

“Palestinian sport is experiencing an unprecedented catastrophe,” said Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestinian Football Association.

Israeli strikes have destroyed or damaged 264 sports facilities, including 12 FIFA-funded stadiums. Many now serve as shelters for displaced families. “We’ve lost not just athletes, but the very spaces where hope was trained,” said coach Mahmoud Al-Khatib.

Al-Amour’s funeral drew hundreds of mourners, many of whom carried running shoes and medals as symbols of his legacy. His story has become a rallying cry for international sports bodies to demand accountability and protection for athletes in conflict zones.