The football world mourns as news emerges of the tragic death of Suleiman al-Obeid, the man affectionately known as the "Palestinian Pele," who was killed while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza. The 41-year-old former national team star, who once dazzled crowds with his extraordinary talent and scored over 100 goals throughout his illustrious career, met his end not on the pitch where he belonged, but in a desperate queue for food to feed his family.
According to Al Jazeera, al-Obeid was among those killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces attacked people gathered near an aid distribution center in southern Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association confirmed his death, stating that the former striker "was martyred after the occupation forces targeted those waiting for humanitarian aid." His death adds another heartbreaking chapter to Gaza's ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, where even the brightest stars are reduced to waiting in line for necessities.
The man who once wore Palestine's national colors with pride and scored memorable goals that lifted the spirits of an entire nation has become the 662nd athlete to die in Gaza since October 2023. His death brings the football-related fatalities alone to a staggering 321 - players, coaches, administrators, referees, and board members who once breathed life into the beautiful game in Palestine.
Al-Obeid's journey began at Khadamat al-Shati club in Gaza, where his exceptional skills quickly caught attention. He later joined Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the occupied West Bank, but it was with the Palestinian national team, Al-Fida'i, that he truly shone. In 24 international appearances, he scored two unforgettable goals, including a spectacular scissor kick against Yemen during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship—a moment that remains etched in the memories of Palestinian football fans.
Behind the statistics and accolades was a devoted family man. Al-Obeid leaves behind a grieving wife and five children who must now navigate life without their father, who died simply trying to provide for them. His death occurred on a particularly deadly day, with medical sources reporting 18 people killed while seeking aid, highlighting the perilous conditions Palestinians face daily in their struggle for survival.
Al-Obeid's story represents countless others - talented individuals whose potential was cut short, dreams extinguished, families torn apart. The footballer who once ran freely across pitches, bringing joy to thousands, spent his final moments in a crowded, dangerous aid queue - a cruel irony that encapsulates Gaza's current reality.
Photo: Al Jazeera