GAZA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Palestinian athletes demonstrated in Gaza on Sunday against Israeli restrictions on Palestinian sport.

The demonstrators held banners denouncing Israeli blockade on Palestinian sport and athletes, just opposite to the UN headquarters in western Gaza city.

"This demonstration is a message to the world that Palestinian sport continues to achieve its missions despite the Israeli arbitrary measures," said Ibrahim Abu Salim, vice president of the Palestinian Football Association.

Salim called for an international stand against "the continuous Israeli attacks against Palestinian sport and athletes since sport carries a message of love and peace among the peoples of the world."

Last week, Israel prevented a football team in Gaza from travelling to the West Bank city of Nablus to play the final of the Palestine Cup.

Israeli restrictions on the movement of the Gazans have been imposed since Hamas militarily seized control of the coastal enclave in the summer of 2007.