Gaza World Cup organizer and two children killed in Israeli attack

Mohamed al-Wahidi, a 57-year-old Palestinian humanitarian worker and director of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, was killed in an Israeli rocket attack. He had been organizing public screenings of World Cup matches across the Gaza Strip, offering residents a brief respite from their daily struggles marked by a fragile truce, near-daily Israeli attacks, and severe humanitarian aid restrictions.

The attack also claimed the lives of two brothers, aged eight and ten, and another man on the street near the explosion site. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating that al-Wahidi was not the intended target. They claimed the rocket was launched at a "terrorist from the military wing of Hamas." The incident occurred in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City about an hour before the Egypt-Argentina match, which al-Wahidi had helped make accessible to locals.

According to his family, al-Wahidi was in a taxi heading to a match screening in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood when the rocket hit the vehicle. The taxi driver reportedly survived, but at least three other people on the street, including the two young brothers, Fari and Hamza al-Deri, who were returning from playing football, were killed. Al-Wahidi's cousin described the immense grief, noting his relative was beloved and a strong presence in family and community gatherings, known for his oratory skills and willingness to help those in need.

Ahmed Daghmush, 30, was identified as the fourth victim, struck by shrapnel while at a relative's home near the blast. The report notes that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations since a US-mediated ceasefire in October, with nearly 3,500 wounded.

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We were gathered at a family event when we heard an explosion and learned that a car had been hit on al-Maghribi street. When we arrived, medical teams had already recovered the bodies of a child and an unidentified man, and another young man lay injured on the ground. Someone at the scene told me that one of my relatives had been seriously injured and might have died. The first moments after learning of Mohamed's death were extremely difficult. He was very loved and had a strong presence in family and community gatherings. He was known for his oratory talent and was often chosen to speak at local events. He was a man who helped others and supported families in need.