GAZA – Former Palestine national football team player Suleiman Al-Obaid, revered across Gaza for his talent and leadership on the pitch, was killed on Tuesday by Israeli forces while reportedly waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza.
He was 40 years old. A husband, a father to five children, and a beloved figure in Palestinian sport, Al-Obaid’s death marks yet another blow to a community enduring relentless hardship under siege.
According to witnesses and local sources, Al-Obaid was among civilians queuing for aid when he was fatally struck. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief across Palestinian territories and among fans and former teammates who remember him not only as a talented midfielder but as a quiet leader and mentor to younger generations.
Al-Obaid earned caps for the Palestine national team during the late 2000s and was widely recognised as one of Gaza’s finest footballers, playing for local clubs such as Al-Hilal Gaza and Shabab Jabalia. Even after retiring, he remained active in training youth players, often volunteering his time at local pitches despite difficult conditions.
“He wasn’t just a footballer. He was a symbol of resilience,” said one former teammate. “He believed that football could bring hope — even when there was so little of it.”
His killing adds to the rising toll of artists, athletes, doctors, and civilians lost during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that chaotic aid deliveries, insufficient protections for civilians, and the collapse of infrastructure have made daily survival in Gaza perilous.
The Palestinian Football Association issued a brief statement mourning Al-Obaid’s death, calling him “a legend of Palestinian sport and a martyr of dignity.”
Calls are growing for greater international accountability and protection of civilians amid the continuing military operations in the enclave.
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