Israeli strike kills Gaza World Cup screening organizer before match

An Israeli airstrike hit a vehicle in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City just before the Egypt‑Argentina World Cup round‑of‑16 match, killing four people. Among the dead was Mohamed al‑Wahidi, director of public relations for the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, who had been coordinating public screening screens for the tournament. The blast also killed 10‑year‑old Hamza al‑Deri, his 8‑year‑old brother Fari, and taxi driver Ahmed Daghmush.

Israeli officials said the strike was targeting a Hamas militant and that al‑Wahidi was not the intended target. The military is investigating whether Daghmush was the intended individual. An earlier missile hit the same street half an hour earlier without casualties.

The incident highlighted the civilian cost of the conflict despite the October truce, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 1,000 deaths since the cease‑fire. Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan, after Egypt’s win over Australia, appealed, saying, “I urge you, I urge all media officers, all athletes worldwide… let the Palestinian people be, let them exist, let them live a life of their own.”