Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Authority's Soccer Association and a senior Fatah official, called Khalil al-Hayya, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, to offer condolences following the death of al-Hayya's son Azzam in an Israeli military strike in Gaza. Israeli officials said the son was not specifically targeted but was believed to have been present at a site where militants were being targeted. A security official described him as active within Hamas.

Al-Hayya said his son was one of many Palestinians sacrificing their lives for Palestine and the liberation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinian reports indicated that this was the fourth son of al-Hayya killed by Israeli forces. Al-Hayya, a former deputy to Yahya Sinwar, previously survived an assassination attempt abroad.

Rajoub has a long record of controversial statements and actions against Israel. He previously served a prison sentence in Israel for security offenses and has praised militants released in prisoner exchanges. He has also faced international suspension from world soccer's governing body for incitement and has repeatedly called for Israel to be barred from international sporting events.