Suleiman al-Obeid, legend of Palestinian football, killed in Gaza

The former captain of the Palestinian selection, Suleiman al-Obeid, was killed this Wednesday, August 6 in the south of the Gaza Strip, struck by Israeli fire while he was expecting humanitarian aid. He was 41 years old. This death brought to 662 the number of Palestinian athletes killed since the start of the war on October 7, 2023.

Emblematic figure of local football, Al-Obeid had marked the spirits by his grace ball at the foot and his loyalty to his heart club, Khadamat Al-Shate ‘. Nicknamed “La Gazelle” or “Le Pélé Palestinien”, he scored more than 100 goals during a career started in Gaza before shining in the West Bank, notably with Al-Amari, which he led in the title during the first edition of the Palestinian Professional League. International 24 times, he had brought the armband during historical qualifications for the 2015 Asian Cup.

A respected player, father of five, Suleiman al-Obeid joins the long list of athletes victims of war. Palestinian football cries a hero. While international sports bodies keep an indecent silence, a legendary footballer dies under the bombs, deprived of everything, even in his last expectation: a little help, a little humanity. In Gaza, even legends are targets.