Israeli forces allegedly took the life of the renowned Palestinian footballer, known as the 'Palestinian Pelé,' in the Gaza Strip, according to the local football association.
Gaza Strips's Suleiman al-Obeid, "Palestinian Pele," Killed by Israeli Forces
Suleiman al-Obeid, a celebrated Palestinian footballer and a symbol of Palestinian pride and resilience, was killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli troops during ongoing conflict. His death has sparked widespread outrage among Palestinians and the international community, causing protests and calls for accountability.
Al-Obeid, often referred to as the "Palestinian Pele," scored more than 100 goals during his long career, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football. He played for the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
In 2010, al-Obeid and six other players on the national team from Gaza were turned back at the Jordanian border for "security reasons" on their way to a friendly in Mauritania. Israel had previously allowed the players to travel with the team. Al-Obeid expressed his disappointment, stating, "When I heard that we would be forbidden from travelling I was very upset, because any athlete dreams of wearing his national jersey in international forums."
The current conflict in Gaza is causing a severe humanitarian crisis, with the World Health Organization reporting that around 12,000 children aged under five are suffering from acute malnutrition, and hunger-related deaths are rising. The UN rights office reported last month that Israeli forces had killed more than 1,300 Palestinians trying to get food aid in Gaza since late May.
Al-Obeid was married and had five children. Israel's offensive has killed at least 61,258 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry. Since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, 662 people from the sport and scouting sector have been killed, including 321 in the football community, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
The reaction to al-Obeid's death includes criticism of institutions like UEFA over their handling of tributes to al-Obeid. Footballer Mo Salah publicly condemned UEFA's token gestures as insufficient, reflecting broader frustration over international responses to Palestinian suffering.
Al-Obeid's death is a somber marker of the ongoing conflict's toll on Gaza's population, intensifying calls for an end to violence and renewed efforts to address the dire humanitarian conditions.
*Sources: [1] The Guardian
Update:
The Israeli military has confirmed that al-Obeid was killed during an operation in the Gaza Strip. The military stated that al-Obeid was a member of Hamas and was involved in militant activities. However, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has refuted these claims, stating that al-Obeid was not a member of any militant group and was solely a footballer.
Further Reading:
- Suleiman al-Obeid: Palestinian footballer killed in Gaza
- Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid killed in Gaza
- Footballer Suleiman al-Obeid killed in Gaza Strip
- Israeli military confirms killing of Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obeid
Despite his involvement in football, Suleiman al-Obeid, also known as the "Palestinian Pele," was killed during a conflict in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces. His death in the sports world has brought about concerns and discussions, with questions about his alleged militant activities and the circumstances surrounding his death.
