Egypt's head coach, Hossam Hassan, delivered an impassioned message of support for the Palestinian people during a news conference on Monday, asserting that any individual lacking empathy for their plight is "not human."

Hassan, speaking ahead of his team's World Cup round-of-16 match against Argentina, diverted from football-related topics to address the situation in Gaza. His remarks follow his team's historic knockout stage victory over Australia, after which he was seen waving the Palestinian flag.

During the news conference, Hassan elaborated on his actions, describing waving the flag as a "human reaction." He expressed that in a world where animal rights are widely defended, the scale of human loss in Gaza has become alarmingly normalized. He stated, "It has become normal to hear that two or three thousand people die in a single day because of a missile."

The coach's comments come amidst ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza, which have resulted in a significant Palestinian death toll, including thousands of children. Millions have been displaced and face severe uncertainty.

Hassan emphasized his perspective as a human first, regardless of nationality or religion. He called for respect for people's right to live, aligning his message with FIFA's slogan promoting respect.

The coach's address lasted over four minutes and was met with applause from many journalists present. His public display of support adds to a growing number of athletes globally who have voiced solidarity with the Palestinian people.

This stance by Hassan is not isolated within the sporting world, as other athletes, such as Spain's Lamine Yamal, have also shown support for Palestinians amidst the conflict.

The situation in Gaza has been a focal point of international concern, with reports detailing the high number of casualties and the dire humanitarian conditions faced by the population.