Ex-Palestinian Basketball Player Dies In Israeli Strike Days After Death Of ‘Palestinian Pelé'

Last Updated:August 20, 2025, 23:31 IST

Mohammed Shaalan was killed in an Israeli strike near an aid distribution centre while attempting to secure food and medicines for his ill daughter Maryam.

Mohammad Shaalan was a popular figure in Palestinian sports. (Photo: X)

Former Palestinian national basketball player Mohammed Shaalan was killed in an Israeli strike near an aid distribution centre in Gaza’s Khan Younis on Tuesday, according to reports.

Shaalan was killed while attempting to secure food and medicine for his sick daughter, Maryam, and the rest of his family, according to Middle East Eye. Maryam reportedly suffered from kidney failure and severe blood poisoning, and Shaalan had repeatedly appealed for help in proper medical treatment.

Also known as al-Zilzal – which means ‘The Earthquake’ – Shaalan was a popular figure in Palestinian sports, having played for several local teams including Khadamat Al-Bureij, Khadamat Al-Maghazi, and Khadamat Khan Younis, as well as representing the national team.

Israeli forces have killed at least 670 Palestinian athletes since the genocide in Gaza began nearly two years ago, according to Palestinian sports officials. The UN said at least 1,857 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes while seeking food since late May.

Israel’s offensive has killed at least 62,122 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has come under growing pressure at home and abroad to end the war.

This came days after ‘Palestinian Pele’ Suleiman al-Obeid was killed when Israeli forces targeted people waiting for humanitarian aid in the southern Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said in a statement.

Obeid, who was born in Gaza City and played 24 international matches for the Palestine team, was married and had five children. In October 2023, Salah urged world leaders to unite and permit humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

The incident received widespread attention when Liverpool star player Mohamed Salah criticised UEFA for posting a tribute to Obeid without mentioning that he died after being struck by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip. “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?" he said in response to UEFA’s tribute.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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First Published:

August 20, 2025, 23:31 IST

News sports Ex-Palestinian Basketball Player Dies In Israeli Strike Days After Death Of ‘Palestinian Pelé'

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