Mohammed Al-Shaalan, known as ‘The Earthquake’, was killed by Israeli forces in Khan Yunis while trying to obtain aid for his children.
Palestinian national basketball team player Mohammed Al-Shaalan has been killed by Israeli occupation forces, adding to the growing list of athletes lost since October 7, 2023.
Al-Shaalan, widely known by his nickname ‘The Earthquake,’ was shot dead while standing in line to obtain humanitarian aid in Khan Yunis in order to feed his children.
According to local sources, Al-Shaalan had been desperately searching for food and medicine for his daughter Maryam, who suffers from kidney failure and severe blood poisoning. His repeated appeals for medical assistance went unanswered.
A good friend reached out to say a family member was killed in Gaza. Mohammed Shaalan, basketball player, father of 3, shot by Israeli forces while waiting for food.
Palestinians aren’t numbers, they’re people with stories whose loss is felt across the world. Despite what Israel… pic.twitter.com/A622lKj22o
— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) August 20, 2025
A leading figure in Palestinian basketball, Al-Shaalan played for the Al-Bureij Services Basketball Club, where he helped secure two Premier League titles, a Gaza Strip Cup Championship, and two Super Cup Championships.
He also represented Palestine in numerous Arab and international tournaments. Over the years, he played for several teams, including Al-Maghazi Services, Khan Yunis Services, Al-Shati Services, Gaza Sports, the YMCA, and Jabalia Services.
The Palestinian sports community also mourns two more figures killed in the past 24 hours: Salem Al-Shaer, 26, head of the equipment department at Rafah Youth Club, and Ahmed Al-Jawrani, 40, a former star of Al-Salah Sports Club.
Al-Jawrani was killed while waiting for humanitarian aid near the Netzarim axis, north of Nuseirat.
With their deaths, the number of Palestinian athletes killed since October 7 has risen to around 670, including more than 340 football players.
Israeli forces have also destroyed 288 sports and scouting facilities across Gaza and the West Bank.
(PC, AJA)
The Jewish Nazis are serial-killers. They don’t care who they kill; men, women, children, the elderly, the handicapped, animals, the eco system…the Jews did this; not Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, ISIS/ISIL…
the Jews did this. Remember that.