‘Pele of Palestine’ Killed by Israeli Gunfire While Waiting for Food Aid in Gaza
Palestinian footballer Suleiman Al Obaid, popularly known as the “Pele of Palestine,” lost his life after being hit by Israeli gunfire in Gaza while waiting for food assistance. He had earned 19 international caps and scored over 100 career goals.
Former Palestinian national team footballer Suleiman Al Obaid was killed by Israeli fire in southern Gaza while reportedly standing in a queue for humanitarian relief, as confirmed by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).
The 41-year-old was waiting at an aid distribution centre in Rafah on Wednesday when he was shot and killed, according to the association’s statement.
Al Obaid was among the most celebrated footballers to come from the Gaza Strip and was affectionately nicknamed the “Pele of Palestine,” in honour of the legendary Brazilian footballer.
His death is yet another grim reminder of the toll of the ongoing war. The PFA said he is the 662nd member of Gaza’s sporting fraternity to be killed since the conflict broke out in October 2023.
Al Obaid’s Career in International Football
Al Obaid had represented the Palestinian national team 19 times, scoring two goals at the international level — one against Yemen in 2010 and another in a friendly fixture against Indonesia in 2011. He made his debut for Palestine against Iraq during the 2007 West Asian Championship and went on to participate in several major tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup, Pan Arab Games, and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His final appearance for the national team was in 2013 against Qatar.
On the domestic front, he played for prominent clubs such as Khidmat Al Shatia, Shabab Al Amari, and Gaza Sport, shining in various attacking positions including centre-forward and right winger.
Between 2016 and 2018, he won the Golden Boot in the Gaza Strip Premier League for three consecutive seasons. Across his footballing journey, he scored over 100 goals.
“In his long career, Al Obaid netted more than 100 goals, making him one of Palestinian football’s brightest stars,” the PFA said in a statement expressing grief over his death.
Impact of War on Palestinian Sportspersons
Al Obaid is the third footballer from the national team to have died since the conflict began, following the deaths of Mouyin Al-Maghribi and Mohammed Barakat earlier this year.
The continued targeting of sportspeople has raised serious concerns in the global sporting community. The Palestine Olympic Committee (POC) reported that at least 13 athletes and coaches were killed by Israeli bombings or ground operations in July 2025 alone. In a separate update on July 29, the POC stated that 40 Palestinian athletes had been killed that month.
“With every passing day, fresh chapters are being written in the tragedy of Palestinian sports,” the committee said. “These sportspersons are not dying on the battlefield; they are being gunned down while running behind their children or while searching for food, water, or medicine. This war of starvation now targets athletes, just like it does doctors and civilians.”
In Gaza, where football is often one of the few sources of happiness and unity amid adversity, Al Obaid’s legacy will remain alive long after the final whistle.
