Palestinian Athlete's Journey: From Gaza to Paris Paralympics Amid Tragedy and Hope

Nine months ago, Fadi Aldeeb, the sole Palestinian athlete at the Paris Paralympics, discovered his brother was killed in an Israeli attack. Paraplegic since 2001, Aldeeb feels the weight of representing millions of Palestinians. Amid the conflict, he stresses the need for human rights and freedom for his people.

Fadi Aldeeb, the lone Palestinian athlete at the Paris Paralympics, received devastating news nine months ago. His brother had been killed in an Israeli attack. Aldeeb, who left Gaza a decade ago for a wheelchair basketball career, found out about the tragedy after missing several calls from his brother.

"On December 6, I had a French league game, and when I was finished, I discovered multiple missed calls from my brother. I tried to return the call, but there was no connection," Aldeeb shared with Reuters. The next night, he received confirmation that his brother had died in an assault on their family home.

Feeling immense pressure, Aldeeb sees himself as the voice for 11 million Palestinians. "I'm not here just for myself. I'm representing all Palestinians and the quest for humanity and freedom," he said. Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, has faced severe hardships, with Aldeeb describing Israel's military actions as relentless. Despite opposition, Aldeeb draws strength from the support of fellow athletes.

(With inputs from agencies.)