Ashour added.
A Palestinian humanitarian worker, who facilitated World Cup match screenings in Gaza, tragically lost his life due to an Israeli missile strike just prior to the anticipated game between Egypt and Argentina on Tuesday evening.
Alongside him, two young brothers aged eight and ten, as well as another individual nearby, also perished in the attack.
Mohamed al-Wahidi, 57, who directed the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, dedicated many years to various aid and development initiatives within the Palestinian region. Recently, he had taken on the responsibility of organizing World Cup screenings across the Gaza Strip, providing a much-needed distraction from the ongoing suffering amidst a fragile ceasefire, frequent Israeli airstrikes, and severe humanitarian aid restrictions.
The Israeli military acknowledged the strike, clarifying that al-Wahidi was not the intended target, with the missile directed at a “terrorist in Hamas’ military wing”
The strike occurred in the Sabra district of Gaza City approximately one hour before the match that al-Wahidi had worked to make accessible for local supporters. His family reported that he was en route to a screening in Tel al-Hawa, southern Gaza City, when the missile struck his taxi.
While his driver survived, at least three others in the vicinity, including brothers Fari and Hamza al-Deri, who were returning from a football game, were killed.
“We were gathered at a family event when we heard an explosion and were told that a car had been hit on al-Maghribi Street,” said Abd Alkhaleq al-Wahidi, al-Wahidi’s cousin. “When I arrived, medical crews had already recovered the bodies of a child and an unidentified man, while another young man was lying on the ground with injuries. Someone at the scene told me that one of my relatives had been critically injured and might have died.
“When I arrived, medical crews had already recovered the bodies of a child and an unidentified man, while another young man was lying on the ground with injuries. Someone at the scene told me that one of my relatives had been critically injured and might have died. “The first moments after learning of Mohamed’s death were extremely difficult,” he continued. “He was widely loved and had a strong presence at family and community gatherings. He was known for his public speaking skills and was often chosen to speak at local events. He was known for helping people and supporting families in need.”
The fourth victim of this tragic incident was Ahmed Daghmush, 30, who sustained injuries from shrapnel while inside a relative’s house near the explosion.
According to his cousin, Ashour, “A piece of shrapnel struck him in the back and pierced his lungs. At first, he didn’t realise he had been seriously injured, but when he noticed the bleeding, people rushed him to the hospital, where he died of his wounds a short time later. “He was a kind and respectful young man who worked hard to provide for his family. He loved joking and laughing with everyone and was well-liked by his relatives and neighbours.”
“Yesterday, the IDF struck a terrorist in Hamas’ military wing while he was traveling in a vehicle in the northern Gaza Strip,”
A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that al-Wahidi was not the target of the airstrike.
“The IDF is aware of the claim that uninvolved civilians were harmed as a result of the strike. The incident is under review. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and takes all feasible measures to mitigate such harm.” the spokesperson said. “The IDF is aware of the claim that uninvolved civilians were harmed as a result of the strike. The incident is under review. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and takes all feasible measures to mitigate such harm.”
No further comments were provided regarding whether the intended target had been killed or injured.
Since the US-brokered ceasefire was announced in October, over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly died due to Israeli military actions, with nearly 3,500 injured. The Israeli military continues to occupy more than 60% of the Gaza Strip, with significant reconstruction efforts stalled, leaving civilian infrastructure, healthcare, and educational services in disarray.
A recent report by a UN independent commission of inquiry stated that Palestinian children have been deliberately targeted and killed by Israeli forces during the ongoing conflict, including after the ceasefire. The total Palestinian death toll since the onset of the war in October 2023 exceeds 73,000.
