JABALIA, Gaza Strip (AP) – Gaza’s main soccer stadium was destroyed during the Israel-Hamas war and is now a tent camp for displaced families.
But in Jabalia’s camp, the Palestinian Football Federation has carved out a new space for the match. They removed debris, laid down worn artificial turf and erected a fence next to the remains of the destroyed building.
On Wednesday, Palestinian amputees trained on an improvised field, and on Saturday two local teams played a match on the same field.
Despite widespread destruction from the war and a fragile cease-fire, many people here are regaining pieces of daily life, including soccer.
Palestinian players of Al-Ahli Club warm up before a soccer match against Gaza Sports Club at a newly constructed stadium surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
Palestinian players of Al-Ahli Club warm up before a soccer match against Gaza Sports Club at a newly constructed stadium surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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Palestinian players from Gaza Sports Club (top center) and Al-Ahly Club (left) compete for the ball during a soccer match in a newly constructed stadium surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
Palestinian players from Gaza Sports Club (top center) and Al-Ahly Club (left) compete for the ball during a soccer match in a newly constructed stadium surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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A Palestinian player from Gaza Sports Club (left) controls the ball during a soccer match against Al Ahly Club on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
A Palestinian player from Gaza Sports Club (left) controls the ball during a soccer match against Al Ahly Club on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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Palestinian children watch as an amputee soccer player practices on a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli shelling during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza City, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
Palestinian children watch as amputee soccer players practice on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli shelling during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza City, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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Palestinian amputee soccer players practice on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli shelling during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza City, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
Palestinian amputee soccer players practice on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli shelling during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza City, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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A Palestinian goalkeeper from Al Ahly Club saves a shot by a center player from Gaza Sports Club during a soccer match on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations, Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
A Palestinian goalkeeper from Al Ahly Club saves a shot by a center player from Gaza Sports Club during a soccer match on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations, Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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Palestinian amputee soccer players practice on a newly constructed field in Gaza City on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
Palestinian amputee soccer players practice on a newly constructed field in Gaza City on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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A Palestinian player from Gaza Sports Club (right) controls the ball during a soccer match against Al Ahly Club on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
A Palestinian player from Gaza Sports Club (right) controls the ball during a soccer match against Al Ahly Club on a newly built field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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Palestinian players from Gaza Sports Club and Al-Ahli Club participate in a soccer match on a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
Palestinian players from Gaza Sports Club and Al-Ahli Club participate in a soccer match on a newly constructed field surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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Palestinians watch a soccer match between Al-Ahly Club and Gaza Sports Club at a newly built stadium surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
Palestinians watch a soccer match between Al-Ahly Club and Gaza Sports Club at a newly built stadium surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza City, Saturday, February 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Al-Shurafi)
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