As Palestinian Olympic athletes landed in Paris on Thursday, 25 July, they were greeted with a heart-warming reception that included a roar of applause and a shower of gifts, including food and roses.

The athletes, representing war-ravaged Palestine were met with enthusiastic cheers upon their arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

As the beaming athletes walked through a sea of Palestinian flags at the main Paris airport, they hoped their presence would serve as a symbol amid the Israel-Hamas war that has claimed more than 39,000 Palestinian lives, reported the Associated Press (AP).