Al-Obeid was known as the ‘Pele of Palestinian football’ and became one of its brightest stars.
Published On 7 Aug 2025
Palestinian 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.
While FIFA refuses to ban Israel from its competitions, Israel has killed hundreds of football players in Gaza since October 2023.
They include Suleiman Al-Obeid, who was nicknamed the “Pelé of Palestinian football” and was killed while waiting for aid in Gaza on August 6. pic.twitter.com/P9VoZHJ5W0
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 6, 2025
With al-Obeid’s death, the number of athletes and their famil