DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli strike in Gaza shortly before the kickoff of the Egypt-Argentina World Cup match has resulted in the tragic deaths of top Palestinian aid official Mohamed al-Wahidi, along with three other civilians, including two young brothers. This incident emphasizes the ongoing violence in Gaza, despite a truce established in October.
The attack, which occurred in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City just before dusk on Tuesday, killed al-Wahidi, the director of public relations for the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, who had been a key figure in organizing public screenings of the World Cup matches across the territory. The strike also claimed the lives of 10-year-old Hamza al-Deri, his 8-year-old brother Fari, and 33-year-old taxi driver Ahmed Daghmush, as confirmed by Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital.
The Israeli military stated that the strike was not aimed at al-Wahidi and was targeting a Hamas militant instead. They are investigating whether Daghmush was a target of the attack; however, local sources note that Daghmush had no known affiliations with any militant groups. Earlier, another Israeli strike hit the same street but did not result in any casualties.
The Egyptian Committee for which al-Wahidi worked serves as the relief arm of the Egyptian government, providing essential services such as food and shelters to Palestinians in Gaza. They were also responsible for setting up public viewings of soccer matches, which had become popular as Team Egypt advanced in the World Cup. The Egyptian team, coached by Hossam Hassan, gained significant support from Gaza, particularly as Hassan highlighted the situation of the Palestinian people during press conferences and even dedicated a victory over Australia to Palestinians by waving their flag on the field.
In a Monday press briefing prior to the match against Argentina, Hassan made a heartfelt plea for more international support for the Palestinian cause. “I urge you, I urge all media officers, all athletes worldwide, regardless of their identities, maybe we can convey a collective message: let the Palestinian people be, let them exist, let them live a life of their own,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues to emphasize that its operations target militants and that it regrets the loss of civilian life. Since the truce took effect in October, at least 1,027 individuals have died, including 258 children, according to the latest reports. The military has also confirmed that five Israeli soldiers have died during this period.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, the total Palestinian death toll from the current conflict has reached 73,098. This figure is considered reliable by various international agencies, although it does not differentiate between militants and civilians, estimating that approximately half of those fatalities are women and children.
The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an assault on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 251 others. The ongoing violence continues to have a profound and tragic impact on the civilian population in both Gaza and Israel, underscoring the dire humanitarian situation amidst the footballing backdrop.
Magdy reported from Cairo and Frankel from Jerusalem.
