Brussels: The UN special rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian territories has urged the European football governing body, UEFA, to expel Israel from its competitions, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

According to Anadolu Agency, the call was made by Francesca Albanese, who took to her X account to advocate for a sports environment free from apartheid and genocide. Her comments follow UEFA's tribute to Suleiman al-Obeid, a former Palestinian player referred to as the 'Palestinian Pel©,' who was recently killed. The Palestinian Football Association reports that al-Obeid died when Israeli forces opened fire on civilians awaiting aid in southern Gaza.

Albanese implored UEFA to consider the expulsion, stating, "Time to expel its killers from competitions, @UEFA." Obaid, a prominent figure in Palestinian football, was 41 years old and a father of five. He had an illustrious career, playing 24 official matches for the national team and scoring two goals.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 800 athletes since Israel's offensive began on October 7, 2023. The sports community, along with civilians, is suffering under relentless bombardment, scarcity of resources, and crumbling infrastructure, as noted by Palestinian officials.

The international community's scrutiny of Israel has intensified, with the conflict resulting in over 61,400 deaths since October 2023. The widespread devastation has driven Gaza to the brink of famine, leading to widespread condemnation.

In a related development, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in Gaza.