Israeli strike kills Gaza World Cup screening organiser and three others, including two children

The strike

On 7 July, an Israeli airstrike hit a taxi in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City, killing Mohammed al-Wahidi, the 57-year-old director of public relations for the Egyptian Committee in Gaza. Three others died: siblings Fari and Hamza al-Deri, aged 10 and 8, who were walking home from a football match, and Ahmed Jehad Rajab Doghmosh, 30, who was inside the vehicle. The strike occurred about an hour before the World Cup round-of-16 match between Egypt and Argentina, which al-Wahidi had helped organise a public screening for.

A rare respite

Al-Wahidi had set up giant screens across the devastated enclave, drawing hundreds of displaced Palestinians to watch matches together. For many, the screenings were a brief escape from the destruction of more than two years of war. His son Fawaz told Reuters:

My father worked hard to bring some entertainment to the people, to the displaced, to us and everyone who suffers in Gaza, he tried to bring them the matches close to their tents and wrecked shelters.

Israeli military response

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it had targeted a Hamas militant and that al-Wahidi was not the intended target. A spokesperson said the IDF was aware of claims that uninvolved civilians were harmed and that the incident was under review. No Palestinian militant group claimed any of the dead as a member. The military did not disclose whether the intended target was killed or injured.

Ceasefire under strain

The attack came as Egypt hosts negotiations on the second phase of a regional ceasefire. The US-mediated truce took effect in October 2025, but Israeli strikes have continued. According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, at least 1,072 Palestinians have been killed and 3,463 wounded since the ceasefire began. The overall death toll since October 2023 exceeds 73,000. Two Egyptian security sources said a senior Egyptian official raised al-Wahidi's death with Israel, objecting to the continued policy of assassinations and any obstruction of the committee's work.

Funeral and legacy

On 8 July, al-Wahidi's body was wrapped in Palestinian and Egyptian flags during a funeral attended by hundreds. Neighbours and friends visited his home throughout the day. His son said working for the aid agency was exhausting, but al-Wahidi always wanted to help those displaced by war.