Suleiman al-Obeid, former captain of the Palestine national football team and a former player for Shabab al-Amari from a refugee camp bordering northern Jerusalem near Ramallah, was killed on Wednesday morning at the age of 41 while going to get food for his wife and five children in Gaza
According to Palestinian sources, while waiting with other Palestinians to receive humanitarian aid in the al-Taniya area of al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, al-Obeid was shot and killed by Israeli fire. Some Palestinian reports claimed he was hit by live ammunition, while others said he was killed in airstrikes
A celebrated career in challenging conditions
Suleiman al-Obeid was a prominent Palestinian footballer, mainly playing as an attacking midfielder and considered one of the leading stars of Palestinian football, especially in the Gaza Strip. He was highly regarded for his technical skills, speed, and ability to score decisive goals, earning him the nickname “the player with the Brazilian touch” among fans and the Palestinian sports community.
Al-Obeid played for several Palestinian clubs, most notably Shabab Shati in Gaza, where he became the club’s greatest player in history with more than 100 goals. He also spent several years at Shabab al-Amari in the West Bank Premier League, representing the refugee camp of the same name on Jerusalem’s northern edge near al-Bireh on the outskirts of Ramallah
From 2010 to 2014, al-Obeid played for the Palestine national team, significantly contributing to the development of Palestinian football despite the harsh conditions in Gaza. He appeared in 24 international matches, scoring two goals. One of his most memorable was a spectacular bicycle kick against Yemen during the 2010 West Asian Football Federation Championship, which became one of the most famous goals in Palestinian football history. He also led the national team in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers and the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In addition, he captained the Gaza coastal district team and was a key figure in Palestinian sports
هدف سابق لنجم المنتخب الفلسطيني الشهيد سليمان العبيد الذي قتله الاحتلال في غزة. pic.twitter.com/os9rTzGS24
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) August 6, 2025
Loved and respected until his final day
Al-Obeid continued playing football even at age 40, remaining active in the local football scene until his death, and had plans to mentor younger generations of players. Friends described him as a charismatic player who overcame difficult conditions during the war in Gaza
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His death has drawn wide reaction on social media and in the Palestinian press. Quds News Network described him as one of the most talented players in Palestinian football history. His passing has sparked outrage and shock within the Palestinian sports community, which saw him as a symbol of resilience and resistance. Current Palestine national team captain Musab al-Battat wrote: “Suleiman al-Obeid, one of Palestine’s most talented players – the great, the well-known, and the moral player – rose as a martyr
