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The Crisis That Halted Palestinian FootballMahdi Hijazi, a 23‑year‑old former national‑team player, has not played a professional match in nearly three years since the war on Gaza forced the Palestine Professional League into suspension. He now spends his days on the sidelines of pitches near the Israeli police headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, handing out refreshments to keep a connection to the sport.Suspension of the League and Immediate DisruptionsThe league has been dormant since the Hamas‑led attacks on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing conflict in Gaza. Travel restrictions, road closures, and settler attacks have made it impossible for teams from the West Bank and East Jerusalem to meet, effectively freezing all domestic competition.All professional matches halted since October 2023.Players unable to travel between West Bank and Jerusalem due to military checkpoints.Coaches like Khaled Abu Dalu see youth academies struggling to keep talent engaged.Financial Fallout: Salary Losses and Player Income DropsBefore the suspension, a typical professional player earned $2,000‑$3,000 per month, while national‑team members could make up to $7,000. With the league on hold, many have been forced into low‑paid jobs:Former teammates now work as barbers, mechanics, supermarket staff, or bakers.One ex‑player earns only 100–200 shekels ($34‑$68) a week.Another sees his income fall from $5,000 a month to $500.Broader Impact: Talent Drain, Women’s Game, and Community ConsequencesPlayers are seeking contracts abroad, with estimates of 70‑80 moving to Libya, about 10 to Egypt, and a handful to Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Malaysia and Indonesia. Women’s football shows a glimmer of hope after the under‑20 team won the WAFF Women’s Championship in April 2025, but club infrastructure for female players has largely vanished.Women’s national team achieved historic regional title.Local women’s clubs have disappeared, limiting development pathways.Youth academies risk losing a generation; players aged 18 now lack senior‑team opportunities.Outlook: Paths to Revival and the Risk of a Lost GenerationCoaches like Abdul Fatah Arar hope a scaled‑down league can restart after the summer break, but funding remains frozen and sponsors have withdrawn. If the league returns, salaries may be as low as 500 shekels ($171) per month, or possibly unpaid. The longer the hiatus, the greater the danger that an entire cohort of players will abandon the sport.Potential revival hinges on unfreezing Palestine Authority funds and securing local sponsorship.Youth academies in West Bank villages could seed future growth.Without timely action, the sport risks regressing “20 years” as described by insiders.