The Palestine Football Association (PFA) has confirmed the death of Suleiman al-Obeid, a 41-year-old footballer nicknamed the 'Palestinian Pelé', in an Israeli attack in southern Gaza. The PFA stated that al-Obeid was killed on Wednesday while waiting for humanitarian aid when Israeli forces struck the area.
Al-Obeid, born in Gaza on 24 March 1984, began his career with Khadamat al-Shati and later played for Markaz Shabab al-Am'ari in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Sport. He debuted for the Palestinian national team in 2007, earning 24 caps and scoring two goals, including a memorable scissor-kick against Yemen during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation championship. Over his career, he scored more than 100 goals, becoming one of Palestinian football's brightest stars.
His death adds to a growing toll of athletes lost in Gaza since the war began. The PFA reported that at least 662 sportspeople and their relatives have been killed, including 421 footballers, 103 of whom were children. Additionally, 288 sports facilities across Gaza and the West Bank have been damaged or destroyed, including the PFA's headquarters in Gaza, which was hit in an Israeli air raid.
More than 1,300 Palestinians have been reported killed near aid distribution points managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since its launch in late May.
