UEFA has decided to postpone Israel’s matches due to the region’s escalating conflict with Palestinians. At least 700 people have died as a result of the Israel-Palestine war, a shocking toll that the country has not seen in decades.
UEFA said in a statement: ‘UEFA will continue to closely monitor the situation and will remain in contact with all teams involved before making decisions on new dates and on potential changes to other upcoming fixtures.
‘UEFA will take the coming days to assess whether Israel can take part in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Kosovo in Prishtina.’
On Thursday, Israel were to meet Switzerland in European Championship qualification Group I. The match, however, will not take place at Tel Aviv’s Bloomfield Stadium.
The nation’s European Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Estonia and Germany, scheduled for October 12 and 17, have also been rescheduled. In addition, the governing body of European football has cancelled an Under-17 mini-tournament. It was to take place from Wednesday through October 17 and would involve Israel, Belgium, Gibraltar, and Wales.
Palestine unlikely for Merdeka Cup 2023 amid Gaza crisis
Following an attack by Hamas terrorists on Sunday, Israel declared war. Militants launched a rocket bombardment from Gaza and dispatched fighters across the border. A celebration near Kibbutz Re’im, adjacent to the Gaza Strip, was assaulted, with revellers dead and kidnapped.
Israel declared war and launched its own operations against Hamas sites in Gaza. In southern Israel, Israeli media reported gunfights between gangs of Palestinian rebels and security personnel.