Two Palestinian children injured by Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza took to the field during the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

The event became a platform for a strong message against the Zionist regime’s crimes, resonating across the stadium and with millions of viewers worldwide.

The UEFA Foundation for Children invited 12-year-old Tala, a young Palestinian girl with fragile health, and 9-year-old Mohamed, who lost his parents in the conflict, to participate in the medal ceremony. Tala was transferred to Milan to receive urgent medical care, as Gaza’s healthcare system lacks adequate resources following the Israeli attacks. Mohamed, severely injured in an airstrike, was also brought to Italy along with his grandmother, where he is receiving life-saving treatment.

In addition to Tala and Mohamed, nine refugee children residing in Italy from Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Palestine, and Ukraine participated in the opening ceremony. Together, they held a banner reading, “STOP KILLING CHILDREN – STOP KILLING CIVILIANS”, sending a clear condemnation of Israel’s ongoing crimes. These children are beneficiaries of the Inter Campus foundation, a UEFA Foundation partner dedicated to social integration and support for vulnerable youth.

Beyond the refugees, local children from Udine – including 22 player mascots, 20 center circle carriers, and 40 underprivileged or ill children – were given the opportunity to meet and greet the teams before watching the game together, supported by Udinese Calcio’s social initiatives. The organizers emphasized that the event aimed to “remind people of the values of peace, solidarity, and humanity.”

Fans and sports commentators widely recognized the moment as more than ceremonial. The presence of Palestinian children on the field symbolized resistance against Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza, which has persisted since 7 October 2023.

According to official reports, the Israeli military offensive has resulted in the deaths of 61,722 Palestinians, with 525,000 injured, the majority of whom are women and children. Over 9,000 Palestinians remain missing, hundreds are displaced, and a famine exacerbated by the blockade has claimed the lives of 235 civilians, including 106 children. International appeals and rulings from the International Court of Justice calling for an end to Israel’s attacks have largely been ignored.

Through the UEFA Super Cup platform, Tala, Mohamed, and the refugee children have reminded the world that the Palestinian people continue to endure unspeakable suffering. Their presence sent a clear message: humanity cannot remain silent in the face of such atrocities. (ILKHA)