A Palestinian humanitarian worker who had set up public viewings of World Cup football matches in Gaza was killed in an Israeli missile attack on Tuesday evening, shortly before the match between Egypt and Argentina.
Two brothers, aged eight and 10, and another man who was on the street near the impact site were also killed.
Mohamed al-Wahidi, 57, who headed the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, had dedicated years to aid and development initiatives in the Palestinian enclave. Lately, he had been organizing public screenings of World Cup games across the Gaza Strip, providing a much-needed respite from the persistent hardship of a barely observed truce, frequent Israeli strikes, and the continuation of strict limits on humanitarian supplies.
The Israeli military acknowledged the attack, stating that al-Wahidi was not the intended target and that the missile was aimed at a “terrorist in Hamas’ military wing.”
The Sabra district of Gaza City was struck roughly an hour before the kickoff of the World Cup match that al-Wahidi had helped bring to local residents, who had gathered in large numbers to cheer for Egypt. His family stated he had been riding in a taxi on his way to a screening event in the Tel al-Hawa area of southern Gaza City when a missile hit the vehicle.
His driver reportedly survived, but at least three other people on the street near the car were killed, including the brothers Fari and Hamza al-Deri, who were returning home from playing football.
“We were at a family gathering when we heard an explosion and were told a car had been struck on al-Maghribi Street,” said al-Wahidi’s cousin, Abd Alkhaleq al-Wahidi. “When I arrived, medical teams had already recovered the bodies of a child and an unidentified man, while another young man lay injured on the ground. Someone at the scene informed me that a relative of mine had been critically wounded and might have passed away.
“The initial moments after learning of Mohamed’s death were profoundly difficult,” he said. “He was widely cherished and had a strong presence at family and community occasions. He was recognized for his public speaking abilities and was frequently asked to speak at local events. He was known for assisting people and supporting families facing hardship.”
The fourth casualty of the attack was Ahmed Daghmush, 30, who was inside a relative’s home near the explosion when he was struck by shrapnel.
Daghmush’s cousin, Ashour, said: “A fragment struck him in the back and pierced his lungs. Initially, he didn’t realize the severity of his injury, but when he saw the bleeding, people rushed him to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds shortly after.
“He was a kind and courteous young man who worked hard to support his family. He enjoyed joking and laughing with everyone and was well-regarded by his relatives and neighbors.”
A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said al-Wahidi had not been the target of the strike.
“Yesterday, the IDF struck a terrorist in Hamas’ military wing while he was traveling in a vehicle in the northern Gaza Strip,” the spokesperson said. “The IDF is aware of reports that uninvolved civilians were harmed as a result of the strike. The incident is being examined. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and takes all feasible measures to mitigate such harm.”
The spokesperson had no additional comment on whether the intended target had been killed or injured.
More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military operations since the US-brokered ceasefire was announced in October, with nearly 3,500 wounded. The Israeli army still maintains direct occupation of over 60% of the Gaza Strip, no substantial reconstruction has been permitted, and civilian infrastructure along with health and education services remain in ruins.
A UN independent commission of inquiry stated in a report last month that Palestinian children were deliberately targeted and killed by Israel during the war, including the period after the ceasefire. The overall Palestinian death toll since the conflict began in October 2023 exceeds 73,000.
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