Speaking at a press conference, Hassan defended his decision to dedicate Egypt’s win over Australia and qualification for the last 16 to the Palestinian people and to raise the Palestinian flag after the match.
He said civilians in Gaza, particularly children and women, were enduring conditions that violated the most basic principles of human rights, citing displacement, hunger, disease and the lack of safe shelter.
Hassan criticized the absence of effective international action to stop the rising death toll and urged athletes around the world to use major sporting platforms, including the World Cup, to deliver a humanitarian message in support of Palestinians’ right to live with dignity and safety.
His remarks were met with applause, despite earlier criticism from Israeli officials and media outlets.
Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and wounded over 173,000, while causing widespread destruction and mass displacement.
