Cricketers from around the world have expressed support and solidarity with the people of Palestine, with the death toll from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza rising sharply over the past few days. Several of the dead are civilians, including at least 13 children.

The violence began on Monday when the Israeli military entered the Al Aqsa mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, in the final days of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims.

Several members of the Pakistan cricket team, led by captain Babar Azam posted messages on Twitter, with a running theme of prayers for the Palestinian people, imploring the world to "stand up for humanity". Shan Masood, Azhar Ali and Shadab Khan were among the other Pakistanis who expressed solidarity.

Prayers for the people of Palestine. We just have to be human to stand up for humanity. #PrayForPalestine pic.twitter.com/NPCqRLmUA0

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) May 11, 2021

The messages of goodwill weren't limited to Pakistani cricketers. Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan called it "no crime more heinous than the killing of a child". Hashim Amla, in a lengthy Instagram post, drew comparisons to Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid, reminding people of Mandela's unstinting support for the people of Palestine throughout his life. Mandela had said South Africa's struggle was "incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians".

Tabraiz Shamsi, Daren Sammy and Kagiso Rabada also posted messages on Twitter praying for Palestine, while former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said one "only needed to be human" to support their cause. George Linde condemned the "terrible scenes" while England bowler Saqib Mahmood asked people not to turn a blind eye, using the hashtag #FreePalestine.

This isn't the first time cricket has found itself caught up in the issue. In 2014, at the height of an Israeli military operation in Gaza, England allrounder Moeen Ali wore wristbands with slogans reading #FreePalestine and #SaveGaza during a Test match between England and India. The ICC match referee David Boon decided it was a breach of the ICC regulation forbidding cricketers from sending out political messages and asked Moeen to remove the wristbands.

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