A former Palestinian national soccer team player and star of Gaza’s Al-Shati’a Services Club was killed by Israeli forces while waiting to get humanitarian aid on Wednesday, according to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suleiman Al-Obeid, 41, was killed by Israeli “bullets,” that “targeted” Palestinians who were “waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza,” the PFA said in a statement in Arabic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment on Al-Obeid’s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nicknamed the “Gazelle,” “Black Pearl,” and the Palestinian “Pele” — in reference to the Brazilian soccer legend — Al-Obeid was remembered by the PFA as a star.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Al-Obeid represented the Palestinian National Team 24 times, scoring two goals for the team — the most famous of which was a bicycle kick against Yemen’s National Team in the West Asian Federation’s 2010 cup, according to the association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At least 662 athletes and scouts have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023, the PFA said.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n At least 321 members of the Palestinian soccer community have died since Oct. 7, 2023, the association said, including players, coaches, administrators, referees and club board members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Al-Obeid, who was born in Gaza City, leaves behind his wife, two sons and three daughters, the PFA said.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Union of European Football Associations remembered him as “a talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times,” in a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Al-Obeid began his career at the Al-Shati’a Services Club in Gaza, then moved to the West Bank, joining the Al-Amari Youth Center from 2009 to 2013. There, he won the title of the first edition of the Palestinian Professional League in the 2010-2011 season, according to the PFA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He then returned to Al-Shati’a Services Club in Gaza for one season before joining the Gaza Sporting Club. He was named the top scorer in the league during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons, the PFA said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n