Gaza Herald- UEFA has come under heavy criticism after posting a tribute to former Palestine national team player Suleiman al-Obeid, who was killed on Wednesday in an Israeli strike while waiting in line for food aid in Gaza.
Critics say the European football body’s message failed to mention the circumstances of his death or to acknowledge Israel’s responsibility. Journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin condemned the statement on X, writing: “How pathetic that you don’t name how Israel killed him while he was lined up to get aid for his starving kids. SHAME.” Assal Rad, a scholar of modern Middle Eastern history and nonresident fellow at DAWN, added: “‘Farewell,’ like he died of old age or natural causes. Israel murdered him.”
The Palestine Football Association (PFA) confirmed that al-Obeid, 41, was among civilians targeted by Israeli forces while waiting for humanitarian aid. Known as the “Palestinian Pelé,” he scored more than 100 goals during his career and was widely regarded as one of the nation’s most gifted players.
Born in Gaza on March 24, 1984, al-Obeid began his career with Khadamat al-Shati, later playing for Markaz Shabab al-Am’ari in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Sport. He joined the Palestinian national team in 2007, earning 24 caps and scoring twice, including a memorable scissor-kick goal against Yemen in the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship.
According to the PFA, at least 662 athletes and their relatives have been killed since the war began, including 421 footballers, 103 of them children. The conflict has also damaged or destroyed 288 sports facilities across Gaza and the West Bank, with the vast majority in Gaza. Among the sites hit was the PFA’s headquarters in Gaza, struck during an Israeli air raid.
Humanitarian groups say that since late May, more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed near aid distribution points run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates with backing from the US and Israel. Al-Obeid is survived by his wife and five children.
