Mohamed Al-Wahidi, a Palestinian aid worker who gained recognition for organizing public FIFA World Cup screenings across the Gaza Strip, was killed in an Israeli missile strike on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred in Gaza City just before the start of the match between Egypt and Argentina. Al-Wahidi served as the public relations director for the Egyptian Relief Committee in Gaza, an organization established by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to provide humanitarian assistance to the region.
Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, confirmed that the strike targeted a vehicle near dusk. The attack resulted in the deaths of four individuals in total. Alongside Al-Wahidi, the victims included the driver, 33-year-old Ahmed Daghmush, and two brothers, 10-year-old Hamza al-Deri and 8-year-old Fari al-Deri.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Egyptian Relief Committee expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Al-Wahidi, describing him as a leading figure in community reconciliation and a dedicated public servant committed to strengthening values of tolerance and brotherhood within Palestinian society. Despite the tragedy, the planned screening of the Egypt-Argentina match proceeded as scheduled on Tuesday, with many local residents gathering to support the team.
Responding to the incident, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson stated on Thursday that the military had struck a member of Hamas’ military wing who was traveling in a vehicle in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF acknowledged reports regarding the potential harm of uninvolved civilians and stated that the incident is currently under review, emphasizing that the military takes feasible measures to mitigate civilian harm.
Throughout the tournament, the Egyptian national team’s coach, Hossam Hassan, has frequently voiced support for Palestinians. Before the match against Argentina, he delivered an impassioned appeal for the people living in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was established in October, local health officials report that ongoing Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 1,084 deaths, including nine fatalities on Wednesday alone.
Updated on: July 9, 2026 / 5:03 PM EDT / CBS News
Ahmed Shawkat contributed to this report.
