Aid workers like Mohamed al-Wahidi, who had been bringing much-needed joy to Gazans through World Cup screenings, are tragically being caught in the crossfire of Israeli military action. On Tuesday evening, as millions worldwide were watching the Egypt vs Argentina match, a devastating Israeli missile strike in Gaza City claimed the life of this 57-year-old aid worker and three innocent civilians. Al-Wahidi's dedication to helping Palestinians was matched only by his passion for football – he had been organising public screenings across the territory since the tournament began.
According to his family, al-Wahidi was travelling in a taxi when the vehicle was struck, while on his way to set up a screening at Tel al-Hawa, southern Gaza City. His driver survived the blast. The Israeli military has confirmed the strike, stating that they aimed to target a "terrorist" in Hamas' military wing. However, the incident highlights the tragic reality of civilian casualties in the conflict, with uninvolved individuals often caught in the midst of military action.
The World Cup screenings, which al-Wahidi had been instrumental in making accessible to Gazans, had provided a rare moment of respite from the prolonged humanitarian crisis. With Israel's continued occupation of over 60% of Gaza and severe restrictions on aid, these events have become a vital lifeline for the local population.
The other victims of Tuesday's strike included eight-year-old Fari al-Deri, his ten-year-old brother Hamza, and Ahmed Daghmush, 30. All three were caught in the shelling while going about their daily lives – Fari and Hamza on their way home from playing football, and Daghmush inside a relative's house near the blast site.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military action since October, with nearly 3,500 wounded. A UN independent commission of inquiry has reported that Palestinian children were deliberately targeted and killed during the conflict, including after the ceasefire was declared.