Mohamed Salah posts emotive Christmas message for Gazans: 'Please do not forget them'

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah urged on Monday that families in Gaza mourning the loss of a loved one should not be forgotten in an emotive Christmas greeting that marked only his second comment on the conflict in the enclave

Salah said he was approaching Christmas with a sorrowful heart due to the war in Gaza, which has been under heavy Israeli bombing after sharing a black-and-white photo of a Christmas tree on social media.

At least 20,727 Palestinians have lost their lives and at least 57,975 have been injured as a result of Israel's consistent attacks on Gaza.

"With the brutal war going on in the Middle East, especially the death and destruction in Gaza, this year we get to Christmas with very heavy hearts and we share the pain of those families who are grieving 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 his more than 63 million followers on Instagram and almost 19 million on X, reported Reuters.

Salah was criticised in his home country Egypt for his lack of comment on the matter more than a week after the war broke out, with many supporters drawing comparisons between him and other prominent Arab sportsmen who have spoken out more on the subject.

Salah made a "significant donation" to aid Gazans, according to Egyptian Red Crescent in October.