On Monday, Mohamed Salah released an emotional Christmas message addressing the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. This is the second time the Liverpool player has spoken out in the context of hostilities in the Middle East.

Mohamed Salah and his sad Christmas message: “Don’t get used to their suffering”

Salah posted a black-and-white photo of a Christmas tree on social media, saying he was heartbroken by the fighting in Gaza, which has been under intense Israeli bombardment since Hamas militants launched a cross-border attack in October. 7.

Israel claims that Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages. More than 20,400 people have been killed and at least 50,000 injured in the Israeli bombardment, according to Gaza authorities.

“Given the brutal war going on in the Middle East, especially the death and destruction in Gaza, we approach Christmas this year with heavy hearts and share the pain of those families who are mourning the loss of their loved ones,” Salah said.

“Please do not forget them and do not get used to their suffering. Merry Christmas,” Salah wrote to more than 63 million followers on Instagram and almost 19 million on X, News.ro reported.

Salah has faced some criticism in his native Egypt after remaining silent on the issue for more than a week after the war broke out, with many fans comparing his stance to that of other Arab athletes who have been more vocal on the issue.

The Egyptian Red Crescent said in October that Salah had made a “significant donation” to aid the people of Gaza.

In his first comments on the conflict in October, less than two weeks after the war began, Salah called for an end to what he called the “carnage”, calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.

Check out this Instagram post

A post shared by Mohamed Salah (@mosalah)