Suleiman al-Obeid, the revered footballer known as the “Palestinian Pele,” has been laid to rest after being killed in an Israeli strike while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza.
The 41-year-old striker, celebrated for his skills and goalscoring prowess, had hoped to play until he was 50. According to his family, that dream ended when an Israeli tank shell struck the aid queue earlier this week.
His widow, Doaa al-Obeid, now treasures one of the few possessions left to her his blue-and-white number 10 shorts from Gaza club Al-Shati. Their home was destroyed in an earlier bombardment, forcing Doaa and the couple’s five children to live in a tent among the ruins of Gaza City.
“This is the most precious thing left behind by him,” she said.
Obeid’s death drew international attention after Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah criticised UEFA for paying tribute to the player without mentioning how he died. “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” Salah wrote on social media.
The Palestinian Football Association stated that Obeid was killed by an Israeli military attack while collecting aid. His family maintains it was a tank shell. The Israeli military has not commented publicly on the incident.
A national team veteran, Obeid continued playing for Al-Shati even after the war between Israel and Hamas erupted in October 2023. The conflict began when Hamas attacked Israeli towns, killing more than 1,200 people. Israel’s response has devastated Gaza, killing more than 61,000 Palestinians and leaving many on the brink of starvation.
Despite the constant bombardment, Obeid’s dedication never wavered. “He used to go training every day and never stopped, not a single day. Even during the war, in the midst of rockets and shelling, he would play,” Doaa said.
The Palestinian Football Association says hundreds of athletes and sports officials have been killed in the war, with most sporting facilities destroyed.
For fans, Obeid’s legacy lies in his talent and spirit. “Children called him the Henry and Pele of Palestine,” said Gaza City barber Hassan al-Balawi. “This player was a gazelle when he stepped onto the pitch, we enjoyed every moment. All Palestinian football fans loved Captain Suleiman al-Obeid.”