The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) announced on Wednesday that former national team player Suleiman Al-Obeid, The Palestinian Pele was killed by Israeli forces in the southern Gaza Strip. He was 41 years old.
In a statement, the PFA said that Al-Obeid “was martyred after Israeli forces attacked those waiting for humanitarian aid.”
Known to fans as the “Pelé of Palestinian soccer,” Al-Obeid was a prolific striker who scored more than 100 goals during a distinguished career. He began at the Khadamat Al-Shati club before moving to the Al-Amari Youth Center in the West Bank and later playing for Gaza Sports Club.
The PFA’s statement mourned the loss of one of the territory’s footballing stars and highlighted the wider impact of the ongoing conflict on the sport. The federation reported that Al-Obeid’s death brings the total number of football personnel, including players, coaches, referees, and officials, killed to 321.
Human rights groups have renewed calls for FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, to suspend the Israel Football Association’s membership, citing ongoing violations against Palestinian athletes. Critics point to the continued participation of Israeli clubs based in settlements in the occupied West Bank within Israeli leagues, a practice they argue contravenes FIFA’s anti-discrimination statutes.
Suleiman Al-Obeid is survived by his five children. The Israeli military has not yet issued a statement regarding the specific incident described by the Palestinian Football Association.
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