Mohamed Salah Demands Answers Over UEFA Tribute to Fallen Palestinian Footballer Suleiman Obeid

Egyptian football superstar Mohamed Salah has openly challenged UEFA over its tribute to former Palestinian national team player Suleiman Obeid, whose reported death in Gaza has ignited a wave of questions and controversy.

In a post on X, Salah responded to UEFA’s farewell where Obeid was hailed as the “Palestinian Pele” by asking pointedly: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?” His direct words have fueled growing demands for transparency regarding the tragic incident.

Remembering a Football Icon

Suleiman Obeid, aged 41, earned 24 caps for the Palestinian national team, scoring twice on the international stage. In domestic football, he found the net more than 100 times, becoming one of the country’s most admired and inspirational figures.

According to the Palestine Football Association (PFA), Obeid was fatally shot on Wednesday while standing among crowds waiting for humanitarian aid near a distribution site in southern Gaza. He leaves behind a grieving wife and five young children. The Associated Press has stated it could not independently confirm the PFA’s account.

UEFA’s Statement and Israel’s Response

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin issued a heartfelt message, expressing that Obeid was “more than just a footballer” and a beacon of hope in times of suffering. His skill and dedication, Čeferin said, inspired countless children in Gaza and beyond.

Yet, the Israeli military offered a sharply different response. Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani replied to Salah’s post, saying there were no recorded incidents involving Obeid. He requested additional details to allow for further investigation.

Rising Humanitarian Toll

The PFA asserts that Obeid’s death brings the number of Palestinian athletes and sports officials killed since the war began to 662. Meanwhile, the U.N. reports that nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid in Gaza since May, the vast majority from Israeli fire.

The ongoing war—sparked on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages—has devastated Gaza. Tens of thousands have been killed, most residents displaced, and vast areas reduced to rubble, with famine looming.

Conclusion

Salah’s intervention has elevated global attention on the circumstances surrounding Suleiman Obeid’s death, intensifying debates over the accuracy and completeness of wartime reporting. While UEFA celebrated Obeid’s sporting legacy, conflicting accounts from the PFA and Israeli authorities reveal the difficulty in establishing clear truths amid conflict.

The tragedy stands as another stark reminder of the deep human and cultural losses endured amid Gaza’s ongoing crisis.