Know how football player Suleiman al-Obeid died and what is his cause of death reason
The football community is currently mourning the untimely demise of a Palestinian international footballer, Suleiman al-Obeid, who was killed last Wednesday in an Israeli attack on civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza Strip, as per the information provided by the PFA.
Suleiman al-Obeid aka The Palestinian Pele: Cause of death reason, bio, age, wife, nationality and stats
According to reports from the Palestinian Football Association Suleiman al-Obeid was shot dead by Israeli forces on August 6, 2025, while waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza. Israel has meanwhile not issued a specific response to this incident.
The 41-year-old footballer was widely recognized for his prowess and used to play as a forward, and right winger.
As aforesaid, Suleiman al-Obeid, born as Suleiman Ahmed Zaid Obeid on March 24, 1984, in Gaza City, was a Palestinian International footballer. The player, who was 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m) tall is survived by his wife and 5 children but the names of his family members aren’t known.
Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pelé'.
A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times. pic.twitter.com/wGSXCq2ceo
— UEFA (@UEFA) August 8, 2025
The player, who was professionally recognized as the “Palestinian Pelé,” began his career in football with Khadamat Al-Shatea as a youth member in 2005 and professionally joined their team in 2007 and stayed there until 2009, before finally joining hands with Markaz Shabab Al-Am’ari in 2009.
In 2013, the forward signed a deal with Khadamat Al-Shatea once again and stayed there for a year, before joining Gaza Sport, where he stayed till 2016, and once again he moved back to Khadamat Al-Shatea, where he played until 2023.
Though, the player kept on changing his team, he became a fixture in the Palestinian national team, wherein he earned 24 caps and scored twice. Reportedly, the player scored at least 100 goals in his career graph, making him a star of the Palestinian football team.
Cause of Death
As per information provided by the PFA, in the midst of widespread water and food shortage and starvation in Gaza, Suleiman al-Obeid died while obtaining humanitarian aid in the Southern Gaza Strip.
The news of Suleiman al-Obeid’s demise came just a week after the killing of another Palestinian footballer, Mahmoud Rafeh Shaheen, who was also reportedly targeted by Israeli forces while he was waiting for the humanitarian aid. Rafeh Shaheen was the second footballer of his team who were killed within two weeks, following the killing of his teammate Ismail Abu Dan.
Very shocking:
Israel has just killed Palestinian national team star Suleiman al-Obeid while waiting for aid in Rafah.
I remember hearing his name all the time when the score of matches were announced. He was the top scorer of Gaza in 2016 and 2017. He played mostly for Khadamat… pic.twitter.com/HTp0iKyUDK— Mosab Abu Toha (@MosabAbuToha) August 6, 2025
As per the figures provided by the PFA, since October 2023, approximately 663 athletes and sports persons’ have been killed in Gaza, including 332 affiliated with the PFA. Additionally, approximately 288 sports facilities have been destroyed or damaged, out of which 268 were damaged in Gaza. Meanwhile, thousands remain missing under the rubble of damaged buildings, while famine has claimed the lives of dozens of children and elderly.
😤 « 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗩𝗘𝗭-𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗟 𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗘́𝗖𝗘́𝗗𝗘́, 𝗢𝗨̀ 𝗘𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗜 ? »
Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬 réagit au tweet de l’UEFA suite au décès de Suleiman al-Obeid, légende du foot en Palestine 🇵🇸, tué par une frappe israélienne 🇮🇱. 💔🕊️
📲 X pic.twitter.com/NmERn2Kb3A
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) August 9, 2025
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