Israeli authorities reportedly ended the life of a former Palestinian football player in Gaza.
Tragedy Strikes Palestinian Football: Suleiman Al-Obeid Killed by Israeli Gunfire
Suleiman Al-Obeid, a celebrated Palestinian footballer known as the "Palestinian Pele," was tragically killed by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip on August 6, 2025. He was 41 years old at the time of his death.
Al-Obeid was a prominent figure in Palestinian football, having played as a forward and winger. He represented Palestine internationally in 24 matches, including as captain, and scored over 100 goals during his career. His club career included playing for Gaza City’s Khadamat Al-Shatea, Markaz Shabab al-Am’ari in the West Bank, and Gaza Sport, retiring in 2023 at age 39.
The circumstances of his death were unfortunate, as he was waiting to receive humanitarian aid — specifically food supplies — amidst escalating conflict in Gaza. According to former Palestinian national player Mohammad Abu Aita, this tragic end was especially poignant because Al-Obeid had hoped to spend his final days contributing to football as a coach, not facing violence while providing for his family.
The incident occurred while people were waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip. Since the start of the conflict, 321 people from the football community have been killed, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
Sadly, Al-Obeid's death is not an isolated incident. The ongoing hostilities in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of thousands, including 61,258 people, according to the latest update from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Al-Obeid was born in Gaza City and was married with five children. His death underscores the severe impact of the conflict on civilians and notable public figures in the region.
[1] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 6). Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid killed in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/6/palestinian-footballer-suleiman-al-obeid-killed-in-gaza
[2] Middle East Eye. (2025, August 6). Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestinian-footballer-suleiman-al-obeid-shot-dead-israeli-forces-gaza
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 6). Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid killed in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/palestinian-footballer-suleiman-al-obeid-killed-gaza-2025-08-06/
[4] World news outlets report the shocking news of Suleiman Al-Obeid's death, a prominent figure in the Palestinian sports community.
[5] Beyond football, Al-Obeid's life was rooted in Gaza, the embattled city where he was born, and he leaves behind a family of five.
[6] In the world of art and culture, his impact may not have been as direct, but his spirit embodied the resilience and passion that often fuels creation amidst hardship.
[7] As the global community grapples with the tragedy, war-and-conflicts in the middle east, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza, continue to claim lives, disrupt communities, and pose challenges to politics and general-news, both regionally and internationally.
[8] Meanwhile, crime-and-justice stories also persist in the area, making travel to the region potentially dangerous, and hindering opportunities for individual and collective progress in fields such as sports and healthcare.
