Ahmad Daraghma

Their life

Ahmad Daraghma was a 23-year-old Palestinian professional footballer from Tulkarem, a city in the northern West Bank. He played as a midfielder for Markaz Tulkarem, a team competing in the West Bank Premier League, the highest level of Palestinian football. He was known for his dedication to the sport and had gained popularity among local football fans.

On December 22, 2022, Ahmad was shot and killed by Israeli forces during an Israeli military operation in Nablus. The army had entered the city to escort Jewish settlers to Joseph’s Tomb, a contested religious site in a Palestinian area. The incursion led to clashes with Palestinian militants and local youth. Ahmad was hit in the back and feet by live ammunition during the confrontation.

Witness accounts and amateur video footage captured the sound of gunfire from surrounding buildings. According to Palestinian medical sources, five other people were wounded in the same incident.

Full Name: Ahmad (or Ahmed) Daraghma
Date of Birth: Circa 1999
Place of Birth: Tulkarem, Occupied West Bank, Palestine
Date of Death: December 22, 2022
Place of Death: Nablus, Occupied West Bank
Age at Death: 23
Profession: Professional Football Player
Position: Midfielder
Club: Markaz Tulkarem (Tulkarem Sports Club)
League: West Bank Premier League

Early Life and Background
Ahmad Daraghma was born and raised in Tulkarem, a city in the northwest of the occupied West Bank. Known for its tight-knit community and its passion for football, Tulkarem provided the foundation for Ahmad’s early interest in sports. Growing up under the conditions of Israeli military occupation, Ahmad—like many Palestinian youth—faced daily restrictions on movement, political instability, and the constant threat of military incursions. Yet, despite these hardships, he pursued his love of football with dedication.

Ahmad joined local youth football clubs in Tulkarem and quickly stood out for his skill, work ethic, and sportsmanship. His talents eventually earned him a place at Markaz Tulkarem, one of the region’s well-regarded professional teams competing in the West Bank Premier League.

Career in Football
As a midfielder, Ahmad played a crucial role for Markaz Tulkarem. He was recognized for his agility, tactical intelligence, and commitment on the field. Teammates and coaches described him as a disciplined and passionate athlete, always striving to improve his game. His performance helped his team compete strongly in domestic Palestinian leagues, and he had become a rising figure in local football circles.

Ahmad’s dream, like many Palestinian athletes, was to represent Palestine on a national or international stage—a goal made difficult by the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation, including limitations on travel for training and competition.

Circumstances of His Death
On the early morning of December 22, 2022, Israeli forces launched a raid into the eastern part of Nablus, reportedly to escort Jewish settlers to the site of Joseph’s Tomb, a religiously sensitive and politically contested location. Such operations are often seen by Palestinians as provocative, and they frequently trigger clashes.

During this incursion, clashes erupted between armed Palestinian fighters and the Israeli military. According to reports, Ahmad Daraghma was in the area when gunfire broke out. He was shot multiple times—reportedly in the back and feet—by Israeli live fire and succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Five others were also wounded in the confrontation.

Palestinian medical sources and eyewitnesses confirmed he was unarmed at the time of the shooting. Videos shared online captured the sounds of gunfire in the area, highlighting the chaotic nature of the military operation.

How they died

Shot by Israeli forces during clashes

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Ahmad Daraghma, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources