Palestinian football legend Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pelé,” has been killed by Israeli forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza.
The 41-year-old former national team player was shot on Wednesday near an aid distribution centre, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA). He had been queuing for food when Israeli forces opened fire.
"Former national team player Suleiman al-Obeid was martyred during an attack by occupation forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip," the PFA said in a statement.
Al-Obeid was widely regarded as one of the brightest stars in Palestinian football history. His skill on the pitch earned him the nickname referencing Brazilian legend Pelé.
Born in Gaza, al-Obeid began his career at Khadamat al-Shati club before moving to Al-Amari Youth Centre in the occupied West Bank.
He went on to earn 24 caps for the Palestinian national team, Al-Fida’i, scoring two goals, including a spectacular scissor kick against Yemen in the 2010 West Asian Championship.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
Al-Obeid is one of at least 808 Palestinian athletes killed since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, according to the PFA. Of those, 421 were footballers, nearly half of them children.
"The number of footballers killed or who died from starvation has reached 421, including 103 children," the PFA said.
Palestinian officials say 662 athletes and their family members have been killed, with the wider sports community devastated by bombardment, displacement, and famine.
The destruction of sports infrastructure has also been near total. The PFA reports that 288 sports facilities have been damaged or destroyed across Gaza and the West Bank, including stadiums, gyms, and football clubs. Of those, 268 were in Gaza and 20 in the West Bank, half of which directly served Palestinian football.
Among the destroyed sites was the PFA headquarters in Gaza, which was hit by Israeli airstrikes.
Meanwhile, famine and malnutrition continue to spread as Israel maintains its blockade on aid. Gaza's Ministry of Health has recorded at least 193 deaths due to hunger, including 96 children. Since May, more than 1,300 Palestinians have reportedly died while trying to reach aid distribution points.
At least 61,258 Palestinians have been killed and 152,045 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza.