Boxing champion Billy Dib has posted his support for Palestinians amid the major conflict between Israel and Hamas, before slamming Floyd Mayweather for ‘trying to stay relevant’.
In response, the Israeli army said on Monday that it hit more than 500 targets in the Gaza Strip in overnight retaliatory strike, while airstrikes demolished entire neighbourhoods on Wednesday. Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are struggling to treat the injured with dwindling medical supplies.
Israel’s siege and bombardment has not deterred Hamas, however, who today continued to return fire with artillery. Ashdod, an Israeli city 17 miles north of Gaza, was the latest to be hit by rockets fired by the Palestinian militants.
The war has claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, and is only expected to escalate further from this point. Humanitarian groups have pleaded for the creation of corridors for the delivery of aid ahead of the likely Israeli assault.
Billy Dib has shown support for Palestine amid the conflict with Israel
At least 2,200 lives have been lost on both sides as the war has escalated
Mayweather, considered one of boxing’s greatest ever athletes, made headlines on Wednesday after sending a private jet filled with supplies – including food, water, and bulletproof vests – for Israeli soldiers and citizens.
But Dib – a former world champion of Muslim faith – has criticised the undefeated legend for his support of Israel, and insisted it was further proof that former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali is the greatest fighter to ever live.
Dib tweeted: ‘When Muhammad Ali returned to his creator the world mourned him.He was the people’s champ, we all loved him and will continue to remember him for decades to come.
‘Floyd Mayweather on the other hand is doing anything to try and stay relevant & in the limelight. Ali is the greatest.’
Earlier, Dib tweeted: ‘FREE PALESTINE’ with emojis of the Palestinian flag.
Mayweather recently took to his Instagram to deliver a statement saying definitively that he sides with Israel in the on-going situation.
His post read: ‘I stand with Israel against the Hamas terrorists. Hamas do not represent the people of Palestine but are a terrorist group that are attacking innocent lives!
Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather reportedly sent a private jet of supplies to Israel
Dib, a former champion, slammed Mayweather and said Muhammad Ali is the greatest
He earlier tweeted ‘FREE PALESTINE’ to his followers, in a clear show of support
‘I stand for all humans and wish for the safe return of all Americans and Israelis and any human that were kidnapped as hostages during these horrific war crimes.
‘This is not a time for politics. This is a time for safety first and foremost.
‘God Bless America. God Bless Israel. God Bless Human Kind!’
Along with the post, he included a picture of himself from a previous visit to Jerusalem.
Dib is among a number of high-profile Australian athletes to support Palestine. Earlier this week, Sonny Bill Williams echoed Dib’s support, while NRL star Josh Addo-Carr compared Palestine’s plight to that of Indigenous Australians.
He later retracted that remark.
Dib has had a turbulent year having fought and defeated cancer. The 37-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma late last year and began chemotherapy treatment at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, with well-wishes pouring in for the former world champion.
In a Twitter post, Dib revealed he had received the all clear from the doctors with a short clip of his son Laith holding a sign reading ‘Hi guys, my dad is in remission’.