A Palestinian humanitarian worker, who had been instrumental in organizing World Cup screenings in Gaza, was tragically killed by an Israeli missile strike just prior to the match between Egypt and Argentina on Tuesday evening.
Also among the deceased were two young brothers, aged eight and ten, along with another man who was present on the street at the time of the attack.
Mohamed al-Wahidi, 57, served as the head of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza and had dedicated years to various aid and development initiatives within the Palestinian territory. Recently, he played a key role in facilitating the screening of World Cup matches throughout the Gaza Strip, providing a much-needed respite from the ongoing turmoil characterized by a fragile ceasefire, frequent Israeli airstrikes, and strict limitations on humanitarian assistance.
The Israeli military verified the strike, asserting that al-Wahidi was not the intended target, and that the missile was aimed at a “terrorist in Hamas’ military wing”
The strike occurred in the Sabra district of Gaza City roughly an hour before the World Cup game that al-Wahidi had helped make possible for local fans, who gathered in large numbers to support the Egyptian team. His family reported that he was en route to a screening of the match in Tel al-Hawa, located in southern Gaza City, when the missile struck the taxi he was traveling in.
While the driver managed to survive the attack, at least three others nearby lost their lives, including the brothers Fari and Hamza al-Deri, who were returning home after playing football.
“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,” said Abd Alkhaleq al-Wahidi, Mohamed’s cousin. “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.” he continued. “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.”
Another victim of the strike was Ahmed Daghmush, 30, who was inside a relative’s home close to the explosion when he suffered shrapnel wounds.
According to his cousin Ashour, “A piece of shrapnel hit him in the back and punctured his lungs. Initially, he didn’t realize the severity of his injuries, but once he noticed the bleeding, people rushed him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds shortly thereafter.
“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 (IDF) spokesperson reiterated that al-Wahidi was not the target of the missile strike.
“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 spokesperson stated. “The IDF is aware of reports suggesting that uninvolved civilians were harmed in the incident. We are currently reviewing the situation. The IDF regrets any harm caused to uninvolved individuals and takes every possible measure to minimize such harm.”
No additional comments were provided regarding whether the intended target sustained injuries or was killed.
Since the US-brokered ceasefire was established in October, over 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israeli military actions, with nearly 3,500 more injured. The Israeli military continues to occupy more than 60% of the Gaza Strip, and significant reconstruction efforts have not been permitted, leaving civilian infrastructure and services in disrepair.
A recent report from an independent United Nations commission of inquiry indicated that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by Israeli forces during the conflict, including in the aftermath of the ceasefire. The total Palestinian death toll since the war began in October 2023 exceeds 73,000.
