• Mohamed Salah criticized UEFA for not mentioning how Suleiman al-Obeid died in their tribute.
• Al-Obeid, known as the "Palestinian Pele," was killed by an Israeli tank shell in Gaza.
• The Palestinian Football Association reported hundreds of athletes have died since the conflict escalated in October 2023.

Suleiman al-Obeid, revered as the "Pele" of Palestinian soccer, was killed at 41 when an Israeli tank shell struck while he was queueing for food aid in southern Gaza. His widow, Doaa al-Obeid, now holds on to his number 10 shorts from Al-Shati club, one of the few mementos left after their home was destroyed. Amidst the conflict, her family now resides in a tent in a neighborhood decimated by bombardments, mourning the loss of their beloved husband and father, who had continued to play football throughout the hardships of war, according to Reuters and HuffPost.

Following al-Obeid's death, UEFA posted a tribute omitting details of the circumstances surrounding his passing, which prompted a response from Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. Salah’s social media query, “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” shed light on the gravity of the incident and received supportive reactions from the Palestinian Football Association, which clarified that al-Obeid was killed due to military action while waiting for humanitarian aid, as reported by The Jakarta Post and TRT Global.

Al-Obeid’s tragic demise underscores a broader crisis faced by athletes in Gaza, with over 800 sports figures reportedly killed since the onset of hostilities in October. The Palestinian Football Association stated that, amidst the ongoing conflict, they have lost hundreds of players and officials, further devastating the sporting community, according to HuffPost and TRT Global.

As Palestinian fans reflect on al-Obeid's legacy, they reject the notion of viewing his death solely through the lens of violence. Instead, they honor his contributions to Palestinian soccer, with tributes describing him as a source of joy and hope for youth in the region, akin to both Pele and renowned striker Thierry Henry, encapsulating the spirit of resilience even in dark times, according to Reuters, HuffPost, and The Jakarta Post.