Gaza celebrates Spain's World Cup victory, a political as well as a sporting symbol

Spain's victory at the World Cup was celebrated in the streets of Gaza. For the Palestinians, this triumph went far beyond the realm of football.

In cafes and in front of outdoor screens, residents of Gaza gathered to cheer the Spanish national team after their victory in the World Cup final. Spain's public support for Palestinian rights had transformed the competition into something far more significant than a simple sporting tournament.

Facing Argentina , whose side Israel had taken, the match took on a clear political dimension. Spain had emerged as the team to support, the one the Palestinians had embraced. Despite the risk of Israeli attacks, residents braved the danger to watch the match together and celebrate Spain's victory.

The rivalry between the two finalist teams thus reflected the geopolitical fractures of the conflict, with each side finding in this World Cup an additional platform for expression.