Bethlehem, Occupied West Bank – The 10th edition of the Palestine International Marathon commenced on Friday in the beleaguered city of Bethlehem, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This significant event, which also saw a parallel race in the Gaza Strip, marks its return after a two-year hiatus enforced by Israel’s brutal war on Gaza, as reported by Anadolu Agency.

The full 42.195-kilometer marathon began at 6 AM local time (0300GMT), drawing thousands of participants.

A Symbol of Resilience and Unity

Runners, both Palestinian and international, gathered outside the historic Church of the Nativity in central Bethlehem, a powerful symbol of Palestinian heritage and resistance. Marathon coordinator Itidal Abdul Ghani emphasized the profound message of this year’s event, telling Anadolu that it passionately calls for “the unity of the homeland.”

In a testament to Palestinian steadfastness, a separate 5-kilometer marathon was also held in central Gaza, extending northward from the Wadi Gaza Bridge, despite the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe inflicted upon the strip.

Global Solidarity and Participation

The organizers further extended their reach by hosting a virtual marathon across numerous countries between April 17 and 21, attracting over 5,000 participants from 88 nations. This global participation underscores the widespread international condemnation of Israeli policies and solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Overall, the event saw an impressive turnout exceeding 13,000 participants, including 2,523 runners in Gaza and approximately 1,000 foreign participants from 75 countries, as confirmed by Ghani. The marathon featured various distances: 42.195 kilometers, 21 kilometers, 10 kilometers, and a 5-kilometer family race, catering to diverse levels of participation.

The marathon is meticulously organized by the Palestinian Higher Council for Youth and Sports, the Palestinian Olympic Committee, and the Bethlehem Municipality, showcasing Palestinian institutional capacity even under occupation.

Marathon Returns Amidst Escalating Israeli Crimes

The return of this unifying event this year occurs against a backdrop of relentless Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza and a dramatic escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank since October 2023. These actions highlight Israel’s ongoing disregard for international law and human rights.

Palestinian figures reveal a grim reality: at least 1,155 Palestinians have been martyred and nearly 11,750 injured in the West Bank since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, alongside approximately 22,000 arrests. In Gaza, the scale of the atrocity is even more staggering, with more than 72,000 Palestinians killed and over 172,000 injured during Israel’s genocide, according to Palestinian authorities. These numbers are a stark reminder of the immense human cost of Israeli aggression.

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