The Israel Defense Forces revealed detailed intelligence exposure countering international campaigns that claim Israeli forces deliberately target innocent Palestinian athletes in Gaza. Following an in depth investigation, military officials presented concrete evidence showing that players, coaches, and an international referee presented as innocent civilians were active operatives and commanders within Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
The military stated that these exposures counter false global campaigns designed to portray Israel as attacking civilians based on their professions. Similar campaigns previously attempted to frame slain terrorist operatives as journalists, aid workers, or medical professionals. The official IDF statement emphasized, "The IDF will continue to operate to reveal these cases in order to present the full facts and refute claims that do not reflect reality."
Among those identified in the intelligence report is FIFA international referee Mohammad Sami Mohammad Khatib, who functioned as an active Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative in Gaza's central camps. Soccer player Mohammad Barakat was identified as a Palestinian Islamic Jihad member who crossed into Israeli territory during the October 7 attack. Mahmoud Kamal Mohammad Ali al-Rifi, another soccer player, served as a company commander in Hamas's aerial unit.
Additional named figures include Nuseirat battalion deputy commander Mohammad Mansour, who actively participated in the October 7 invasion. Company and platoon commanders identified by the IDF include Ahmad Mohammad Hassan Abu al-Ata, Ali Mahmoud Ahmad al-Kard, Mohammad Ziad Hussein al-Hor, and Mouaed Nidal Mohammad al-Hawajri. Anti tank missile operative Abdullah Riad Abdullah Khatib and active combatants Mohammad Emad Ata Hassouna, Tareq Ziad Hussein al-Hor, and Mahmoud Osama al-Jazzar were also documented as active terror operatives.
The IDF noted that anti Israel campaigns systematically conceal the military affiliations of these individuals to construct false narratives against Israeli operations. Military intelligence confirmed that each individual listed actively engaged in hostilities or held command positions within terror organizations while maintaining public profiles as sports figures.
