A prominent Palestinian aid official, Mohamed al-Wahidi, was killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City on Tuesday evening, just moments before the highly anticipated World Cup match between Egypt and Argentina. Al-Wahidi, who served as director of public relations for the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, had been central to efforts to organise public screenings of the football tournament across the enclave, offering a rare moment of collective enjoyment for residents.
The strike, which hit a car in the Sabra neighbourhood, also resulted in the deaths of 10-year-old Hamza al-Deri, his 8-year-old brother Fari, and 33-year-old Ahmed Daghmush, the vehicle's driver. Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, confirmed the fatalities. The Israeli military stated that al-Wahidi was not the intended target, claiming the operation was aimed at a Hamas militant, and added it was investigating whether Daghmush was the target. However, Dr Abu Selmiya maintained that Daghmush, a taxi driver, was not known to be affiliated with any militant group.
The Egyptian Committee, for which al-Wahidi worked, operates as the relief arm of the Egyptian government, delivering vital food, shelter, and other assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. The committee was also behind the initiative to erect screens for residents to watch the World Cup matches, an effort that had gained significant traction, particularly with the Egyptian team's strong performance and coach Hossam Hassan's vocal support for the Palestinian people. Hassan had dedicated his team's victory over Australia on Friday to both Egyptians and Palestinians, waving a Palestinian flag on the pitch, and on Monday, urged the international community to do more for Palestinians.
This incident underscores the ongoing precarious situation in Gaza, despite a truce agreed in October 2023. The Israeli military maintains that its strikes target militants and expresses regret for any harm to civilians. Since the truce came into effect in October 2023, at least 1,027 people, including 258 children, have been killed. The Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, reports the Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war at 73,098 since the conflict began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 abductions.
The UK government, through the Foreign Office, continues to advise against all travel to Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories due to the ongoing conflict and volatile security situation. The tragic loss of life, particularly involving an aid worker and children, is likely to draw further international condemnation and renewed calls for greater protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel in the region. British nationals in the region are urged to monitor FCDO travel advice closely and register their presence with the embassy if they have not already done so.