Premier League star Mohamed Salah has voiced his concerns regarding UEFA’s tribute to Suleiman Obeid, a former Palestinian player who was reportedly shot by Israeli forces while awaiting aid in Gaza. Salah responded to UEFA’s post, which mourned Obeid as the “Palestinian Pele,” by questioning the circumstances surrounding his death, asking for clarity on how and why it occurred.
Obeid, 41, was killed on Thursday while waiting for assistance near a distribution point in southern Gaza, according to the Palestine Football Association (PFA). He is survived by a wife and five children. Obeid played 24 international matches for Palestine, netting two goals, and was celebrated for scoring over a hundred goals with local clubs throughout his career. The PFA hailed him as one of Palestinian football’s brightest talents.
In a message attributed to UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, the organisation expressed profound sadness over Obeid’s tragic passing. Čeferin described Obeid as “more than just a footballer,” noting that his skill and spirit provided hope to children in Gaza during trying times. His death, the message conveyed, is a significant loss for the football community and a reminder of the sport’s capacity to inspire.
Salah’s public inquiry about the incident drew reactions from others, who used the opportunity to scrutinise UEFA further. In response, Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani stated that an initial review found no records of any incident involving Obeid and requested more details for further investigation.
The PFA reported that Obeid’s death raises the total number of Palestinian athletes and officials killed in the ongoing conflict to 662. The human cost of the violence has been staggering, with reports indicating that approximately 1,400 Palestinians have died while seeking aid in Gaza since May, largely due to Israeli fire. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict, triggered by Hamas attacks in October that led to significant Israeli casualties and abductions, has led to widespread devastation in Gaza, causing mass displacement and dire humanitarian conditions.
The situation remains critical as the air and ground operations continue to impact the region, highlighting the urgent need for global awareness and response to the escalating humanitarian crisis.