Palestine celebrates Spain's victory in the World Cup while Israel continues its attacks

On Sunday, amid ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, Palestinians celebrated Spain’s victory over Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final, which was held in the United States. The match ended with a score of 1–0 in favor of Spain, marking their second World Cup title. In the midst of continued violence, thousands gathered in Gaza City's central square to cheer the Spanish team, while in Ramallah, authorities praised Spain’s support for Palestine and diplomatic representatives from Spain joined local officials in a symbolic display of solidarity. The day began with reports of Israeli military actions against civilians. According to multiple accounts, Israeli forces killed one man and injured ten others, mostly children, during an airstrike targeting tents in southern Gaza. In eastern Ramallah, settlers shot two Palestinian men, aged 53 and 26, dead. Meanwhile, several Israeli ministers and lawmakers participated in a demonstration demanding the return of settlements in the West Bank. These incidents occurred simultaneously with the World Cup final, watched live by former U.S. President Donald Trump. In Gaza City, despite the backdrop of destruction caused by Israeli bombings, residents found temporary respite in the excitement of the World Cup. A large crowd gathered in the city center to celebrate Spain’s win, echoing past moments of collective joy. Content creator Ya7ya_sager documented the scene, showing thousands cheering the goal scored by Ferran Torres. The celebration took place under the shadow of recent Israeli actions, including the killing of two residents in nearby Deir Yarir, just minutes after the Spanish goal was scored. The atmosphere in Ramallah reflected broader regional sentiment. Nearly 3,000 people waved Spanish flags and wore the colors of the Spanish national team during a ceremony organized by local authorities. The event featured the playing of national anthems for both Palestine and Spain, with dignitaries from Palestinian security forces, the Palestinian Authority, and a Spanish consulate representative in attendance. When the anthem of Spain was played, the entire gathering stood in respect. The Argentine anthem, however, did not receive the same response. Among the attendees were supporters of Argentina, particularly those who admired Lionel Messi, whose final World Cup appearance drew considerable attention. One such supporter, Moataz from Qalqilya, expressed his admiration for Messi and his connection to the Barcelona football club. As the celebrations continued, the organizers briefly interrupted the broadcast to report on the attack by settlers in Deir Yarir, where two locals had been killed. Social media platforms saw increased activity from Palestinian voices, with the official Palestinian account sharing images of the Spanish team celebrating its World Cup triumph. This came in direct response to a post by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing support for Argentina in the final. The shared image included hearts and flags representing both nations, highlighting the complex relationship between sports and politics in the region. Spain has consistently supported Palestine throughout the tournament, becoming one of three teams, alongside Egypt and Bosnia and Herzegovina, that received official posts of encouragement from the Palestinian account. This backing reflects a growing alignment between Spain and Palestine, especially following Spain’s recognition of the State of Palestine in 2024 and its condemnation of the Israeli actions in Gaza. The support also aligns with the rising influence of Palestinian diaspora communities, notably in countries like Argentina, where historical ties have shaped political attitudes toward the conflict.