OGC Nice suspend Youcef Atal, who showed his support for Palestine

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

OGC Nice announced on Wednesday that the club decided to suspend Youcef Atal, who showed his support for Palestine, until further notice.

The 27-year-old previously shared a video supporting Palestine on Instagram on Saturday.

"Despite the Algerian player has acknowledged his error by quickly withdrawing the sharing of the publication and has offered a public apology in writing, the club has taken the decision to take immediate disciplinary action against the player," the club statement added.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" to ease the "epic human suffering."

At least 3,470 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.