Palestinian artists have painted a mural of Spanish football star Lamine Yamal (the 18-year-old Barcelona winger widely regarded as one of the world's best players) on a rubble-strewn building in Gaza City, after he waved a large Palestinian flag during Barcelona's La Liga title parade this week. Artists Obay Al Qershalli and Ahmed Al Halabi said the work was a gesture of thanks for Yamal's public show of solidarity, noting they were forced to paint on damaged walls as no intact surfaces remain following sustained Israeli bombardment, and that art supplies are scarce and costly in the blockaded enclave. The gesture has drawn praise from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who said Yamal made the country proud, while Israel's defence minister accused the teenager of inciting hate — a claim Sanchez sharply rejected, saying waving a recognised state's flag reflects the Palestinian solidarity felt by millions of Spaniards.