Run for Gaza - UAE-backed marathon sees sport return to the enclave

"The Zayed Marathon got underway in the Gaza Strip on Friday, as part of the UAE’s 'Operation Gallant Knight 3' to provide relief to the people of the enclave - and the return of sports. Footage shows large numbers of participants gathering at the starting line, ready to set off, and the huge crowd of locals. The footage also captures scenes from the race and the awards ceremony. Winner Mahmoud Abu Sbeitan said it was a "great feeling to win first place. I haven't been able to practice sports for nearly two years... Practicing sports under wartime conditions was initially impossible." Meanwhile, Sharif Al-Nayrab, spokesperson for Operation Gallant Knight 3, emphasised that the race aims to "overcome all obstacles, crises, and tragedies that have affected the youth of the Gaza Strip" and to "support the sports sector, which has been impacted over the past two years by the war". Around 500 runners took part. "Since the beginning of the war, we haven’t been able to run, and this is the first time. We were sitting at home, confined. And now, here we are again, running, thank God," said one runner, Mohi Al-Din Abu Qulaik. The United Arab Emirates launched 'Operation Gallant Knight 3' on November 5, 2023, under the directive of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to provide relief to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip following the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas. "

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