GAZA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- During Ramadan, about an hour before sunset each day, a sandy field in Gaza City's northern Sheikh Radwan neighborhood fills with a group of young men playing football.
They kick off shortly before the Maghrib call to prayer, so they can finish in time to return home for iftar, the fast-breaking meal.
The field, once covered with rubble from homes destroyed during the Israeli military operations in Gaza, has been cleared to host the "Neighborhood League," a grassroots football tournament traditionally held during the holy month.
Despite the uneven terrain and scattered stones along the edges, the players form teams and begin their game. Spectators stand shoulder-to-shoulder to mark the field's boundaries, while the surrounding damaged walls act as makeshift stands.
"For us, playing football is a way to feel a sense of freedom," Hamdi al-Shamali, a 20-year-old player, told Xinhua.
"The Ramadan neighborhood tournaments have long been a popular tradition in Gaza. However, they were suspended over the past two years due to the war, which brought widespread destruction, displacement and economic hardship," he said.
It was not easy for al-Shamali and his mates to cope with the destruction and play. They worked together to clear the site and turn it into a playable field.
"This place was full of broken concrete and debris," he said. "We spent long hours clearing the rubble and bringing sand from the beach to level the ground."
Each team consists of five players: a goalkeeper and four outfield players. Many play barefoot due to the scarcity and high cost of sports shoes in the local market.
Matches consist of two 30-minute halves. A team that scores two goals before regulation ends wins and advances. In the event of a tie, penalty kicks decide the winner.
For many participants, the tournament represents far more than just a sport. It is a way to heal the wounds of war and rebuild a sense of normalcy amid loss and trauma.
Before the war, 18-year-old Samer al-Kahlout used to play in the neighborhood league with his two older brothers, forming the attacking line of their team. He lost both of them in an Israeli airstrike near their home.
Since then, returning to the field has been emotionally challenging for him. "Everything reminded me of them," he said.
Over time, he gathered the courage to chase the ball again.
"Football is no longer just a game for me," Samer said, adding, "It is a way to release what is inside. I dedicate every goal to my brothers."
Sixteen-year-old goalkeeper Othman Harara lost a hand when his home collapsed during the war. Wearing a single glove, he guards the goal with quick movements.
"Playing football shows that we are still here," Harara said.
On the sidelines, older residents also attend the matches. Neighborhood elder Tawfiq Abu Assi said he has followed the tournaments for years.
"When I see the young people playing despite the difficulties, I feel that Gaza is still alive," he said.
