Key Facts
• Former Palestinian soccer player Suleiman Al-Obeid, 41, killed on November 6, 2023.
• Incident occurred in southern Gaza during Israeli military gunfire.
• Al-Obeid was waiting in a line for humanitarian aid when targeted.
• Represented Palestine in 24 matches, scoring over 100 career goals.
• Nicknamed ‘The Palestinian Pelé’ for his exceptional talent.
• Palestinian Football Association called him one of the sport’s brightest stars.
• Since October 2023, 662 sports-related individuals have died in Gaza conflict.
Summary
Suleiman Al-Obeid, a former Palestinian national soccer player known as ‘The Palestinian Pelé,’ was killed in Gaza on November 6, 2023, during Israeli military gunfire. Al-Obeid, 41, was reportedly waiting in a line for humanitarian aid when he was targeted. A celebrated athlete, he played 24 matches for the Palestinian national team and scored over 100 goals in his career. The Palestinian Football Association described him as one of the brightest stars in the nation’s soccer history. His death highlights the ongoing toll of the Gaza conflict, which has claimed the lives of 662 individuals connected to sports since October 2023.
