Earlier this week, a Palestinian karate champion Nagham Abu Samrah took her last breath in Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital located in Deir Al-Balah after succumbing to the injuries she sustained after an Israeli strike that hit Gaza.
“Not fighting for glory but for survival”
According to media reports, Nagham Abu Samrah was in Comma after losing her leg in an Israeli missile attack over Gaza. The strike hit her family’s house in central Al Nuseirat and killed her sister forcing her to change the path of her life’s journey from fighting for glory to fighting for survival.
Speaking to a local news channel, Abu Samrah’s father said, “After the death of my other daughter in the missile strike and the death of her wife weeks before the conflict escalated, Nagham’s survival had offered him a blink of hope.” Nagham Abu Samrah’s death came on the 100th day of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which reportedly began on October 7th, 2023.
Also read: The Latest Update: Israel-Hamas Truce Ends After 7 Days, Air Raids Resume
Nagham Abu Samrah’s love for the sport was so strong, that she decided to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Physical Education. Since childhood, the 24-year-old athlete has been rarely seen without her white uniform and black hijab, having won first and second place in the Palestinian Karate Championships in 2017, and 2019.
Nagham Abu Samrah spent her life challenging rival athletes and traditional stereotypes in Gaza’s society on her way to winning karate championships. Nagham’s biggest dream was to inspire generations of girls to get into sports.
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