Soccer legend of Palestinian origin met with tragic demise as he waited for humanitarian assistance, according to the Palestinian soccer association's statement.
Suleiman Al-Obeid, a celebrated Palestinian footballer and the country's most renowned sports figure, was tragically killed by Israeli gunfire on August 6, 2025, while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza. He was 41 years old and is survived by his wife and five children.
Born and raised in Gaza, Al-Obeid began his career at the Al-Shati'a Services Club. His talent was evident from the start, and he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the club's top scorer in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons after returning to the club.
Al-Obeid's career took a national turn when he joined the Palestinian National Team, where he represented Palestine 24 times, scoring two goals for the team. He was known by several nicknames, including "Gazelle," "Black Pearl," and the Palestinian "Pele." One of his most famous goals was a bicycle kick against Yemen's National Team in the West Asian Federation's 2010 cup.
After retiring from professional football in 2023, Al-Obeid had plans to become a coach. Unfortunately, these plans were cut short by his untimely death.
The circumstances of Al-Obeid's death reflect broader violence affecting civilians in Gaza during this period. His death occurred amid the 2025 Gaza Strip aid distribution killings and the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, during which multiple Palestinian civilians—including athletes—have been killed.
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) made the announcement of Al-Obeid's death in a statement in Arabic. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.
Since October 7, 2023, at least 321 members of the Palestinian soccer community have died, including players, coaches, administrators, referees, and club board members, according to the association. Additionally, at least 662 athletes and scouts have been killed, according to the PFA.
UEFA remembered Al-Obeid as "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times." A tweet from UEFA about Al-Obeid was posted on August 8, 2025.
Al-Obeid's death serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing violence and hardship faced by Palestinians in Gaza. His legacy, however, will live on, inspiring future generations of Palestinian footballers and reminding the world of the resilience and determination of the Palestinian people.
[1] Palestinian Football Association. (2025). Statement on the death of Suleiman Al-Obeid. [2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Israeli gunfire kills Palestinian footballer in Gaza. [3] Middle East Eye. (2025). Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid killed by Israeli forces.
- Despite retiring from professional football in 2023, Suleiman Al-Obeid's football career extended to European leagues as he represented Palestine in several games, earning two goals and several nicknames like "Gazelle," "Black Pearl," and the Palestinian "Pele."
- UEFA, in a tweet on August 8, 2025, acknowledged Suleiman Al-Obeid as "a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times," highlighting his impact on the European football scene.
