SULEIMAN AL-OBAID, a former player for the Palestine national football team, was killed in an Israeli air strike that reportedly targeted civilians waiting for humanitarian aid in southern Gaza, the Palestine Football Association (PFA) announced today.

Widely regarded as the “Pele of Palestinian football,” Al-Obaid began his career with Khadamat Al-Shati Club, his local team. He later played for Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Sports Club before earning a place on the national team, according to the PFA.

“Over the course of his career, Al-Obaid scored more than 100 goals, cementing his status as one of Palestinian football’s brightest stars,” the association said in a statement.

Al-Obaid is the 662nd member of the Palestinian sports community confirmed killed in Gaza since the conflict began, the PFA added.

Human rights groups have renewed calls for Fifa, football’s global governing body, to suspend Israel’s membership, citing ongoing violations against Palestinian athletes.

Israeli football clubs based in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank continue to compete in national leagues, a practice critics say contravenes Fifa’s anti-discrimination policies.