Israeli strike kills Gaza aid worker behind World Cup screenings minutes before Egypt-Argentina match

A Palestinian aid worker who had arranged public screenings of FIFA World Cup matches across Gaza was killed in an Israeli air strike shortly before the Egypt-Argentina match on Tuesday evening.

According to a report by The Guardian, the victim, Mohamed al-Wahidi, 57, was travelling to a World Cup screening event in Gaza City when the strike occurred. Three other people, including two young brothers, were also killed in the attack.

Al-Wahidi, director of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, had spent years working on humanitarian and development projects in the enclave. During the World Cup, he had helped organise public screenings that offered residents a brief respite from the hardships of war, continuing Israeli military operations, and restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The strike hit Gaza City's Sabra district about an hour before kick-off. Family members said al-Wahidi was travelling by taxi to a screening in the Tel al-Hawa area when a missile struck the vehicle.

While the taxi driver reportedly survived, three other people nearby were killed. They were identified as brothers Fari al-Deri, 8, and Hamza al-Deri, 10, who were returning home after playing football, and 30-year-old Ahmed Daghmush.

"We were gathered at a family event when we heard an explosion and were told that a car had been hit on al-Maghribi Street," al-Wahidi's cousin, Abd Alkhaleq al-Wahidi, told The Guardian.

"When I arrived, medical crews had already recovered the bodies of a child and an unidentified man, while another young man was lying on the ground with injuries. Someone at the scene told me that one of my relatives had been critically injured and might have died.

"The first moments after learning of Mohamed's death were extremely difficult. He was widely loved and had a strong presence at family and community gatherings. He was known for his public speaking skills and was often chosen to speak at local events. He was known for helping people and supporting families in need."

Daghmush's cousin, Ashour, also described the circumstances of his death.

"A piece of shrapnel struck him in the back and pierced his lungs. At first, he didn't realise he had been seriously injured, but when he noticed the bleeding, people rushed him to the hospital, where he died of his wounds a short time later.

"He was a kind and respectful young man who worked hard to provide for his family. He loved joking and laughing with everyone and was well-liked by his relatives and neighbours."

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out the strike but said al-Wahidi had not been the intended target.

"Yesterday, the IDF struck a terrorist in Hamas' military wing while he was traveling in a vehicle in the northern Gaza Strip," an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said.

"The IDF is aware of the claim that uninvolved civilians were harmed as a result of the strike. The incident is under review. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and takes all feasible measures to mitigate such harm."

The military did not disclose whether the intended target had been killed or wounded.

According to The Guardian, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations since a US-brokered ceasefire was declared in October, with nearly 3,500 others injured. Large parts of Gaza remain under Israeli military control, while reconstruction efforts and the delivery of essential services continue to face major obstacles.

A recent report by a United Nations independent commission of inquiry alleged that Palestinian children were deliberately targeted during the conflict, including in the period following the ceasefire. The overall Palestinian death toll since the war began in October 2023 has surpassed 73,000, according to the report.