Gaza residents watch World Cup amid rubble; organizer killed in Israeli strike

In Gaza City, hundreds of residents gathered amidst the rubble of destroyed buildings to watch a World Cup Round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina on a large screen. The event, intended as a respite from a war-torn reality, was organized by Mohamed al-Wahidi, head of the Egyptian Aid Committee's information and PR work in Gaza and coordinator of reconstruction efforts. Tragically, al-Wahidi, 57, was killed in an Israeli airstrike an hour before the game began. Two boys, aged 10 and 8, were also among the three additional fatalities. The news of the attack and the deaths drew significant attention from both Arab and international media. Al-Wahidi's cousin described him as well-liked, known for his oratory skills and dedication to helping those in need. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that al-Wahidi was not the target of the strike, asserting that the attack was aimed at a Hamas militant. The IDF acknowledged reports of civilian casualties, expressed regret, and confirmed an ongoing investigation into the incident. According to UN data, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military actions in Gaza since the October ceasefire, with Israel occupying over 60 percent of the Gaza Strip.

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He was very well-liked. He was known for his oratory skills and for helping people and supporting families in need.