Egyptian footballer Ahmad Hassan “Kouka,” who plays for Portuguese club Rio Ave, recently honored Martyr Khaled Nabhan and his granddaughter Reem with a touching gesture that resonated globally. The tribute, which referred to Nabhan as the “Soul of my Soul,” highlighted the lasting impact of his humanitarian work and his deep bond with his grandchildren.
Ahmed Hassan took a moment to honor Palestinian figure Khaled Nabhan after delivering a stunning performance for Pendikspor, scoring a hat-trick in their 5-3 triumph over Isparta 32 Spor during the fourth round of the Turkish Cup on Tuesday evening.
Khaled Nabhan, 54, known affectionately as Abu Diyaa, lost his life in an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza. His death marked the tragic end of a life dedicated to charity, compassion, and community. His three-year-old granddaughter Reem, who Nabhan described as “soul of the soul,” was killed along with her brother Tarek in an earlier bombing of their home.
In the days leading up to his death, Mr. Nabhan was deeply involved in aiding displaced families. Saeed Nabhan, his nephew, described him as a man whose family meant everything. “His children and grandchildren were his entire world, and he spent much of his time playing with and caring for them,” said Saeed.
Despite the immense challenges of life in Gaza, Nabhan was known for his cheerful demeanor and relentless commitment to helping others. “In his final days, Abu Diyaa dedicated himself to charitable work, visiting shelters to check on displaced families and striving to provide support and assistance to those in need,” shared Saeed.
Mr. Nabhan spearheaded efforts to organize communal kitchens, ensuring meals reached families devastated by the conflict. “Just days before his martyrdom, he participated in one of these food distributions,” Saeed recounted.
Beyond his work with people, Nabhan extended his compassion to animals. “Even during the war, he went to great lengths to provide food and water for stray cats in Nuseirat Camp,” Saeed said.
A friend and neighbor, Saad Taha Abu, described him as a man of faith and peace. “Renowned for his wisdom and dedication to fostering goodwill, people often sought his counsel to mediate disputes. His warm relationships and high regard among the community made him an exceptional peacemaker,” Abu told The National.
With over a million followers on Instagram, Nabhan frequently shared videos of his family and community work, using his platform to bring attention to Gaza’s struggles. He started the humanitarian initiative, Reem, Soul of the Soul, to help children traumatized by the bombardments, offering toys and comfort to orphans.
In one poignant moment, he shared how he had built a new gravestone for Reem and Tarek, surrounding it with flowers and white stones. “In every hurt child, I see Reem and Tarek,” Nabhan had said.
Saeed and other family members believe Nabhan’s death was not accidental. “I don’t believe Abu Diyaa’s targeting was random,” Saad Taha Abu said. “The occupation has consistently targeted influential Palestinian figures who inspire resilience and unity among the people.”
Nabhan’s final social media post showed him helping civil defense forces extinguish a fire at his brother Asaad Nabhan’s house, destroyed in an airstrike.
As news of Nabhan’s death spread, tributes poured in from around the world, with many praising his humanitarian spirit. Ahmad Hassan’s gesture is just one example of the solidarity and admiration Nabhan inspired.
Since the news of his death, social media has been filled with condolences and calls to remember Nabhan’s legacy, with hashtags like #SoulOfMySoul, #KhaledNabhan, and #GazaHumanitarian trending globally.
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