Egyptian footballer pays tribute to revered Palestinian figure Khaled Nabhan

Egyptian footballer Ahmed Hassan Kouka, who plays for Portuguese club Rio Ave, paid tribute to the revered Palestinian figure Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter Reem, who were killed by Israel during the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Hassan, an Egyptian-origin player, displayed the heartfelt gesture during a match between Rio Ave and Vitória de Guimarães on Tuesday.

He revealed a white shirt underneath his jersey, featuring an image of Nabhan holding Reem, with the words "Soul of my soul" written on it.

Hassan has been vocal about the Israeli war on Gaza and its devastating toll on innocent civilians, including men, women, and children.

In October, Hassan took to X to express his outrage at the atrocities committed by Israel.

He condemned the deadly attacks that have claimed thousands of Palestinian lives, targeting hospitals, schools, residential buildings, refugee camps, and aid distribution centers.

“I tried to stay away from the news a little about what’s happening to our brothers in Palestine because i started to get into depression,” he said. 

“Imagine them! Just imagine them living it as a reality! Families were just burned alive! Don’t stop reminding everyone what Israel does to the children and civilians,” his post read. 

Who was Khaled Nabhan?

The Israeli occupation army killed beloved Palestinian grandfather Khaled Nabhan, also known as Abu Diaa, in an airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Abu Diaa had become a beloved Palestinian figure on social media after he was seen bidding farewell to his deceased granddaughter and calling her "soul of my soul," a hearflet expression he used to describe the young girl, who was also killed in an earlier Israeli attack.

He became a symbol of resilience and love after a viral video showed him bidding an emotional farewell to his deceased granddaughter, whom he adored deeply.

He was known for consoling grieving families, engaging in humanitarian work, and even caring for Gaza’s stray cats.