Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah said on Monday that families who have lost loved ones in Gaza should not be forgotten, in an emotive Christmas greeting that marked just his second intervention on the enclave’s conflict.
Salah shared a black-and-white photo of a Christmas tree on social media, saying he was entering the holiday season with a sad heart due to the war in Gaza, which has been heavily bombarded by Israel since Hamas terrorists started a cross-border incursion on Oct. 7.
According to Israel, Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped around 240 individuals during their raid. According to Hamas-ruled Gaza, Israel’s subsequent assault has killed over 20,400 civilians and injured at least 50,000.
“With the brutal war going on in the Middle East, especially the death and destruction in Gaza, this year we get to Christmas with very heavy hearts and we share the pain of those families who are grieving the loss of their loved ones,” Salah said in a statement.
“Please do not forget them or get used to their anguish. “Merry Christmas,” Salah posted to his 63 million Instagram followers and over 19 million X followers.
Salah received backlash in Egypt for remaining mute on the matter for more than a week after the conflict began, with many supporters contrasting his attitude to that of other Arab sports personalities who have been more outspoken about it.
Salah made a “significant donation” to support the inhabitants of Gaza, according to Egyptian Red Crescent authorities in October.
Salah made his initial remarks on the conflict in October, less than two weeks after it began, calling for a halt to what he termed “massacres” and pleading for humanitarian relief to be let into Gaza.
This season, the 31-year-old is one of the top scorers in the English Premier League.