Suleiman Al-Obeid, 41, one of Palestine’s most celebrated footballers, was shot dead by an Israeli sniper near a humanitarian aid distribution point in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, while attempting to secure food for his displaced family. Al-Obeid, the all-time top scorer for Shabab Al-Shati Club, represented Palestine in 19 international matches, including a memorable bicycle-kick goal against Yemen in 2010.

Forced to flee his home at the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza in October 2023, Al-Obeid endured displacement, starvation, and restricted aid access alongside tens of thousands of civilians. He was killed while standing in line for food, a tragic reminder of the indiscriminate nature of the ongoing attacks.

Since October, nearly 810 Palestinian athletes have been killed, including more than 420 football players, while hundreds of sports and youth facilities have been destroyed. Al-Obeid’s death silences not only a legendary striker but a symbol of resilience and hope for Palestinians both on and off the pitch.