In a small tragedy amid the broader carnage of the Israel/Gaza War Suleiman al-Obeid — the best known Palestinian soccer player — was killed by an Israeli tank shell on August 6.

Few Americans will know his name but the death reverberated through English and European soccer leagues. It is a case study in the
tally of civilian casualties in the ongoing horror of the Israeli war.

Obeid was a leading player for the Palestinian national team and much beloved as an inspirational figure for all Palestinians in Gaza.

He was married and had five children. The family was sheltering in a displacement camp in Gaza City.

His wife said that Obeid, "was a great father who always looked out for his children."

Like all Gazans, he faced a daily struggle to provide them with food and water. At times he also had to search through rubble to find his soccer boots and team jerseys.

On August 6, Obeid, along with his brother, were among a crowd of Palestinians waiting for a feeding station to open. The brother later said that he heard nearby Israeli tank shots and then Suleiman fell gravely  wounded by shapnel. He died while being carried to a hospital. Two nephews were also injured.

Unlike most deaths in Gaza, Suleiman al-Obeid was well known. Israeli authorities were questioned about his killing by a range of
foreign organizations. Initially the Israeli Defense Forces said that there was "no record of any incident" involving Obeid.

After further protests another statement emerged that "in an in-depth examination no casualties were reported as a result of IDF tank fire in the area" where Obeid died.

This is a painfully familiar Israeli denial of responsibility for countless deaths among Palestinians  waiting to collect food supplies in Gaza.

A relevant line from Shakespeare's King Lear comes to mind: "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport."

Jim Matlack lives in Camden