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Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Fans and family honor ‘Palestinian Pele' killed by Israel in Gaza
The 'Pele' of Palestinian football hoped to keep scoring goals until he was 50. An Israeli tank shell dashed that dream a decade early, his family said, killing Suleiman al-Obeid as he queued in southern Gaza this week to collect food. Al-Obeid's widow Doaa al-Obeid now clutches the blue-and-white number 10 shorts he wore for his Gaza club, al-Shati, one of the only mementos she has of her late husband, as she and her five children mourn the revered 41-year-old striker. 'This is the most precious thing left behind by him,' she said. The family have few other belongings of al-Obeid, whose home was destroyed in a bombardment earlier this year. They now live in a tent among the ruins of a neighborhood of Gaza City. Al-Obeid, likened by fans to Brazilian great Pele for his skills and goalscoring, hit headlines this week after Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah criticized a tribute to al-Obeid by Europe's governing body UEFA that did not mention the cause of death. 'Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?' wrote Salah. The Palestinian Football Association said al-Obeid was killed in an attack by the Israeli military in southern Gaza while waiting to collect aid at a distribution point. His family said it was a tank shell that killed him. Responding to Salah's post on X, an Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said: 'Hey Mohamed, After an initial review, we found no records of any incidents involving Suleiman al-Obeid. In order to take a closer look, we need more details.' Al-Obeid, who had played for the Palestinian national team, was still playing for his club in Gaza when the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023. Hamas attacked Israeli towns and villages killing more than 1,200 people. Israel in response has laid waste to the Gaza Strip, a coastal enclave housing more than 2 million people, and killed some 61,000 Palestinians. Most have been killed by airstrikes, artillery and gunfire, but a growing number are starving to death. 'This player was a gazelle' Al-Obeid kept playing throughout the hardship, his widow Doaa said. 'He used to go training every day and never stopped, not a single day. Even during the crisis of war, in the midst of rockets, shelling and mass killing, he would go play. He used to gather his friends and loved ones and go play with them,' she said. The Palestinian Football Association says hundreds of athletes and sports officials are among those killed by Israel's assault, with most sports facilities now destroyed. Palestinian football fans say they will focus not on al-Obeid's violent death but his legacy. 'Children called him the Henry and Pele of Palestine,' said Hassan al-Balawi, a barber in Gaza City, in a comparison also with French great Thierry Henry. 'This player was a gazelle – when we stepped onto the pitch, we enjoyed watching him. All Palestinian football fans enjoyed Captain Suleiman al-Obeid.'
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
Fans and family honor ‘Palestinian Pele' killed in Gaza
GAZA CITY: The 'Pele' of Palestinian soccer hoped to keep scoring goals until he was 50. An Israeli tank shell dashed that dream a decade early, his family said, killing Suleiman Al-Obeid as he queued in southern Gaza this week to collect food. Obeid's widow Doaa Al-Obeid now clutches the blue-and-white number 10 shorts he wore for his Gaza club, Al-Shati, one of the only mementos she has of her late husband, as she and her five children mourn the revered 41-year-old striker. 'This is the most precious thing left behind by him,' she said. The family have few other belongings of Obeid, whose home was destroyed in a bombardment earlier this year. They now live in a tent among the ruins of a neighborhood of Gaza City. Obeid, likened by fans to Brazilian great Pele for his skills and goalscoring, hit headlines this week after Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah criticized a tribute to Obeid by Europe's governing body UEFA that did not mention the cause of death. 'Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?' wrote Salah. The Palestinian Football Association said Obeid was killed in an attack by the Israeli military in southern Gaza while waiting to collect aid at a distribution point. His family said it was a tank shell that killed him. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment and has not publicly commented on Obeid's death. Obeid, who had played for the Palestinian national team, was still playing for his club in Gaza when the war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023. Hamas attacked Israeli towns and villages killing more than 1,200 people. Israel in response has laid waste to the Gaza Strip, a coastal enclave housing more than 2 million people, and killed some 61,000 Palestinians. Most have been killed by airstrikes, artillery and gunfire, but a growing number are starving to death. 'This player was a gazelle' Obeid kept playing throughout the hardship, his widow Doaa said. 'He used to go training every day and never stopped, not a single day. Even during the crisis of war, in the midst of rockets, shelling and mass killing, he would go play. He used to gather his friends and loved ones and go play with them,' she said. The Palestinian Football Association says hundreds of athletes and sports officials are among those killed by Israel's assault, with most sports facilities now destroyed. Palestinian soccer fans say they will focus not on Obeid's violent death but his legacy. 'Children called him the Henry and Pele of Palestine,' said Hassan Al-Balawi, a barber in Gaza City, in a comparison also with French great Thierry Henry. 'This player was a gazelle — when we stepped onto the pitch, we enjoyed watching him. All Palestinian soccer fans enjoyed Captain Suleiman Al-Obeid.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
8 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Salah Questions UEFA's 'Farewell' to Former Palestine Soccer Player Suleiman Obeid
Mohamed Salah is questioning UEFA's 'farewell' to former Palestinian soccer player Suleiman Obeid who was reportedly shot and killed by Israeli forces while awaiting aid in Gaza. 'Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?' Salah asked on the social network X in response to a post from UEFA saying, 'Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele.' A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.' Obeid, 41, was fatally shot by Israeli forces on Wednesday while he was waiting among crowds for aid near a distribution site in southern Gaza, the Palestine Football Association said. He leaves behind a wife and five children. The Associated Press could not independently verify the account. Obeid played 24 games for Palestine, scoring two goals, while he scored more than 100 over his career with local clubs, said the PFA, which described him as 'one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football.' The PFA published a letter attributed to Aleksander Čeferin in which the UEFA president said he was 'deeply saddened by the tragic death' of Obeid, who was 'more than just a footballer. He was proof that joy, skill, and pride can flourish despite suffering. His talent and dedication to the game gave the children of Gaza and beyond reason to believe in a brighter tomorrow. His passing is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who understands the power of sport to inspire.' The PFA said Obeid's death brings to 662 the number of Palestinian athletes and sporting officials killed since the 22-month war started. The UN human rights office said last month that some 1,400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid in Gaza since May, nearly all by Israeli fire. Israel's air and ground campaign has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine.
