Palestinian Pele’ Suleiman al-Obeid killed while seeking aid in Gaza.
Al-Obeid was known as the ‘Pele of Palestinian football’ and became one of its brightest stars.
national football team player Suleiman al-Obeid has been killed in an Israeli attack on aid seekers in Gaza.
Al-Obeid, 41, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces attacked people waiting near an aid distribution centre in southern Gaza, the Palestinian Football Association said.
He was nicknamed the “Pele of Palestinian football” – after the Brazilian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best football players of all time.
During his long career, the Gaza player scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football.
“Former national team player and star of the Khadamat al-Shati team, Suleiman Al-Obeid, was martyred after the [Israeli] occupation forces targeted those waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday,” the Palestinian Football Association said in a statement.
With al-Obeid’s death, the number of athletes and their family members killed in the Strip since the start of Israel’s war has risen to 662.
The number of football-related deaths in Gaza now stands at 321, including players, coaches, administrators, referees and club board members.
The former football star began his career with the Khadamat al-Shati club in Gaza, before joining the ranks of the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the occupied West Bank.