Palestinian ex-footballer killed by Israeli forces in Gaza

AFP, Jerusalem:

Former Palestine national team player Suleiman al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele”, has been killed by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip, the sport’s local governing body said.

Obeid, 41, was killed Wednesday when Israeli forces “targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip”, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement.

With Gaza in the throes of a hunger crisis, the UN rights office said last month that Israeli forces had killed more than 1,300 Palestinians trying to get food aid in the territory since late May.

An ex-star of the Khadamat Al-Shati club in Gaza, Obeid played 24 international matches for team Palestine, the PFA said.

“During his long career, Al-Obeid scored more than 100 goals, making him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football,” it added.

The midfielder also played for the Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.