Latest news with #Suleimanal-Obaid
Shafaq News
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israel's war on Gaza destroys sports sector, kills stars
Shafaq News – Gaza The Palestinian Football Association said Israel has destroyed 264 sports facilities in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, leaving the territory's sporting life in ruins. Of those, 184 were completely demolished and 81 partially damaged. One of the most prominent victims was former Palestinian national team footballer Suleiman al-Obaid, widely known as 'the Pele of Palestine,' who was killed on August 6 while waiting for humanitarian aid. The association said in a statement that al-Obaid, 41, 'was martyred during an attack by occupation forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.' Born in Gaza, al-Obaid played 24 official matches for the national team, scoring twice, and was regarded as one of the brightest figures in Palestinian football history. He was also a father of five. The war has brought all sporting activity in Gaza to a halt since October 2023. The destruction of facilities, combined with the killing of athletes and coaches, has left the sector almost entirely paralyzed. Despite this, international sports federations have not suspended Israel's membership. The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement that 'the refusal of international and continental sports federations to suspend Israel's membership, 22 months after its perpetration of genocide in the Gaza Strip, constitutes a blatant violation of the values and principles they claim to uphold. It reflects a selective, double-standard application of the rules governing the participation of states, clubs, and individuals in international and continental competitions, whether official or friendly.' Rights groups, including Amnesty International, describe the war in Gaza as a genocide. According to health authorities in the territory, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Malaysian Reserve
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Malaysian Reserve
Salah criticises UEFA farewell for 'Palestinian Pele' not mentioning his death at hands of Israeli soldiers
ISTANBUL — Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah on Saturday protested UEFA's silence on how a former Palestinian player was killed by an Israeli attack while waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Suleiman al-Obaid was killed on Wednesday amid the second year of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Marking his passing, UEFA wrote, 'Farewell to Suleiman al-Obaid, the 'Palestinian Pele.' A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times' – but said nothing about how he died. Salah pointedly criticised UEFA's farewell to Al-Obaid, saying: 'Can you tell us how, where and why he died?' More than 800 athletes have been killed in Gaza since the start of Israel's offensive on Oct 7, 2023, as the sports community continues to suffer under bombardment, famine, and the collapse of infrastructure, according to Palestinian officials. One of the latest victims was al-Obaid, who was killed while waiting for humanitarian aid – a common occurrence under a controversial Israeli- and US-backed aid scheme that critics have called a 'death trap.' According to the UN, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed since May 27 while seeking food under the scheme, while Israel blocks other aid groups from entering Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association said in a statement: 'Former national team player Suleiman al-Obaid was martyred during an attack by occupation forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.' Al-Obaid, 41, born in Gaza and a father of five, is seen as one of the brightest stars in Palestinian football history. He played 24 official matches for the national team and scored two goals. — BERNAMA-ANADOLU
The Sun
10-08-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Mohamed Salah slams UEFA for ignoring Palestinian footballer's death in Gaza
EGYPTIAN football icon Mohamed Salah has condemned UEFA for failing to acknowledge how Palestinian footballer Suleiman al-Obaid was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. Al-Obaid, nicknamed the 'Palestinian Pele,' died on Wednesday while waiting for humanitarian aid amid Israel's ongoing military offensive. UEFA's tribute post stated, 'Farewell to Suleiman al-Obaid, the 'Palestinian Pele.' A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times,' but omitted details of his death. Salah responded sharply, asking, 'Can you tell us how, where and why he died?' Palestinian officials report over 800 athletes have been killed in Gaza since Israel's offensive began on 7 October 2023. Al-Obaid, 41, was among the latest victims, dying while queuing for aid under a heavily criticised Israeli and US-backed distribution system. The UN states at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed since 27 May while seeking food, as Israel restricts other aid groups from entering Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association confirmed al-Obaid's death, calling him a 'martyr' killed by occupation forces. A father of five, al-Obaid played 24 matches for Palestine's national team, scoring twice, and was regarded as one of its greatest players. – Bernama-Anadolu
The Star
10-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Salah criticises Uefa farewell for 'Palestinian Pele' not mentioning his death at hands of Israeli soldiers
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Friendly - Liverpool v Athletic Bilbao - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 4, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo ISTANBUL: Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah on Saturday (Aug 9) protested Uefa's silence on how a former Palestinian player was killed by an Israeli attack while waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Suleiman al-Obaid was killed on Wednesday amid the second year of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Marking his passing, Uefa wrote, "Farewell to Suleiman al-Obaid, the 'Palestinian Pele.' A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times" - but said nothing about how he died. Salah pointedly criticised Uefa's farewell to Al-Obaid, saying: "Can you tell us how, where and why he died?" More than 800 athletes have been killed in Gaza since the start of Israel's offensive on Oct 7, 2023, as the sports community continues to suffer under bombardment, famine, and the collapse of infrastructure, according to Palestinian officials. One of the latest victims was al-Obaid, who was killed while waiting for humanitarian aid - a common occurrence under a controversial Israeli- and US-backed aid scheme that critics have called a "death trap.' According to the United Nations, at least 1,373 Palestinians have been killed since May 27 while seeking food under the scheme, while Israel blocks other aid groups from entering Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association said in a statement: "Former national team player Suleiman al-Obaid was martyred during an attack by occupation forces while waiting for humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.' Al-Obaid, 41, born in Gaza and a father of five, is seen as one of the brightest stars in Palestinian football history. He played 24 official matches for the national team and scored two goals.- Bernama
