An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Tuesday killed a senior Palestinian aid official who had been instrumental in organizing public screenings of the World Cup match between Egypt and Argentina. The strike also killed two young brothers and a taxi driver, according to local health officials.
Details of the Attack
The bomb struck a car in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City at dusk, just before the match was set to begin. The dead were identified as Mohamed al-Wahidi, director of public relations for the Egyptian Committee in Gaza; Hamza al-Deri, 10, and his brother Fari, 8; and the car's driver, Ahmed Daghmush, 33. Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, confirmed the four bodies were received at his facility.
The Israeli military stated that al-Wahidi was not the intended target, claiming the strike was aimed at a Hamas militant. The military said it was investigating whether Daghmush was the target. Abu Selmiya described Daghmush as a taxi driver with no known militant affiliations.
Context of the Strike
The attack turned what was meant to be a celebratory event—a live screening of a potential upset by an Arab team—into a grim reminder of ongoing civilian casualties despite a truce reached in October. An earlier strike on the same street half an hour prior caused no casualties.
The Egyptian Committee, for which al-Wahidi worked, is the relief arm of the Egyptian government, providing food, shelter, and other aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The committee also organized the initiative to set up screens across Gaza for World Cup viewings.
Broader Impact
Egypt has been a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, and many Palestinians in Gaza have ties across the border. Egypt's World Cup coach, Hossam Hassan, has highlighted the Palestinian cause, dedicating a victory over Australia to both Egyptians and Palestinians and waving a Palestinian flag on the pitch. In a briefing before the Argentina match, Hassan urged the world to do more for the Palestinian people.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 1,027 people, including 258 children, have been killed since the truce took effect in October. Five Israeli soldiers have also died in that period. The overall Palestinian death toll from the war stands at 73,098, with women and children comprising about half of the fatalities, according to the ministry. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
