A Palestinian aid official was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza just hours before a planned public screening of the FIFA World Cup match between Egypt and Argentina, turning what was meant to be a moment of celebration into tragedy for the local community.
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According to the Associated Press, Mohamed al-Wahidi, an official with Egypt’s relief committee in Gaza, had helped organise public screenings of the World Cup match across the territory. He was killed on Tuesday when an Israeli strike hit a vehicle in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City shortly before kickoff. Hospital officials said three other people also lost their lives in the attack, including the driver and two young brothers. Mohamed Abu Selmiya confirmed the casualties.
The Israeli military said al-Wahidi was not the intended target of the strike. It stated that the operation was aimed at a Hamas militant and that authorities were reviewing whether the driver of the vehicle had been the intended target. However, hospital officials described the driver as a taxi operator with no known affiliation to militant groups.
The Egyptian relief committee, where al-Wahidi served, is responsible for providing humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter and essential supplies, to Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza. Family members and colleagues described him as a respected community figure who was dedicated to supporting vulnerable families and organising relief efforts during the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
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The incident occurred despite a US-mediated ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas last October. Although large-scale fighting has eased, Israeli military operations and airstrikes have continued in parts of Gaza. According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, highlighting the fragile security situation and the continued risks facing civilians and humanitarian workers in the territory.