GAZA CITY, Aug 10 (Reuters) – The “Pele” of Palestinian soccer hoped to maintain scoring targets till he was 50. An Israeli tank shell dashed that dream a decade early, his household stated, killing Suleiman al-Obeid as he queued in southern Gaza this week to gather meals.
Obeid’s widow Doaa al-Obeid now clutches the blue-and-white quantity 10 shorts he wore for his Gaza membership, Al-Shati, one of many solely mementos she has of her late husband, as she and her 5 youngsters mourn the revered 41-year-old striker.
“This is the most precious thing left behind by him,” she stated.
The household have few different belongings of Obeid, whose residence was destroyed in a bombardment earlier this yr. They now stay in a tent among the many ruins of a neighborhood of Gaza Metropolis.
Obeid, likened by followers to Brazilian nice Pele for his abilities and goalscoring, hit headlines this week after Liverpool ahead Mohamed Salah criticized a tribute to Obeid by Europe’s governing physique UEFA that didn’t point out the reason for loss of life.
“Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” wrote Salah.
The Palestinian Soccer Affiliation stated Obeid was killed in an assault by the Israeli navy in southern Gaza whereas ready to gather assist at a distribution level.
His household stated it was a tank shell that killed him.
Domenic Aquilina/NurPhoto through Getty Pictures
The Israeli navy didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark and has not publicly commented on Obeid’s loss of life.
Obeid, who had performed for the Palestinian nationwide crew, was nonetheless taking part in for his membership in Gaza when the conflict between Israel and Hamas started in October 2023.
Hamas attacked Israeli cities and villages killing greater than 1,200 folks. Israel in response has laid waste to the Gaza Strip, a coastal enclave housing greater than 2 million folks, and killed some 61,000 Palestinians.
Most have been killed by airstrikes, artillery and gunfire, however a rising quantity are ravenous to loss of life.
‘THIS PLAYER WAS A GAZELLE’
Obeid saved taking part in all through the hardship, his widow Doaa stated.
“He used to go training every day and never stopped, not a single day. Even during the crisis of war, in the midst of rockets, shelling and mass killing, he would go play. He used to gather his friends and loved ones and go play with them,” she stated.
The Palestinian Soccer Affiliation says a whole lot of athletes and sports activities officers are amongst these killed by Israel’s assault, with most sports activities amenities now destroyed.
Palestinian soccer followers say they are going to focus not on Obeid’s violent loss of life however his legacy.
“Children called him the Henry and Pele of Palestine,” stated Hassan al-Balawi, a barber in Gaza Metropolis, in a comparability additionally with French nice Thierry Henry.
“This player was a gazelle – when we stepped onto the pitch, we enjoyed watching him. All Palestinian soccer fans enjoyed Captain Suleiman al-Obeid.”
