Lebanon to Participate in Rome Talks Only if Israel Withdraws from 2 'Pilot' Zones

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Tuesday evening killed Mohamed al-Wahidi, an official with the Egyptian Committee responsible for organizing public screenings of the World Cup, along with two children and a driver. The strike occurred just before the Egypt-Argentina match, turning a moment of potential celebration into a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict. Local health officials confirmed the casualties, identifying the children as 10-year-old Hamza al-Deri and his 8-year-old brother Fari, and the driver as Ahmed Daghmush. Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, provided the information after the bodies were received. The Israeli military stated that al-Wahidi was not the target and that they were aiming for a Hamas fighter, adding that they were investigating whether Daghmush was the intended target. The military expressed regret for civilian harm, a common occurrence in the conflict. The Egyptian Committee, the relief arm of the Egyptian government, had organized the initiative to broadcast football matches across Gaza. Coach Hossam Hassan of the Egyptian team has used his platform to highlight the plight of Palestinians, dedicating victories and urging global support. Official figures from the Gaza Health Ministry indicate a high Palestinian death toll since a truce took effect in October, with a smaller number of Israeli casualties.

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I urge you, I urge all media officers, all athletes worldwide, regardless of their identities, maybe we can convey a collective message that is as follows, let the Palestinian people be, let them exist, let them live a life of their own.