Israeli strike kills Argentine-Egyptian organizer of World Cup screening before kick-off

Palestinians watch a live broadcast of the World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip (left) as Lionel Messi battles for the ball with Egypt’s Mohanad Lashin (AP Photo) An Israeli airstrike in Gaza shortly before kickoff of the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina killed a Palestinian aid official who was helping organize a public screening of the game across the enclave, the Associated Press reported.The strike came just before what was expected to be a major occasion for football fans in Gaza, where many had gathered to watch Egypt face defending champions Argentina.The strike struck a car in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City at dusk Tuesday, Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, said, according to the Associated Press.Those killed were Mohamed al-Wahidi, an official of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, 10-year-old Hamza al-Deri, his eight-year-old brother Fari al-Deri and the driver of the car, 33-year-old Ahmed Daghmush.The Israeli military said al-Wahidi was not the intended target. It said the attack was aimed at a Hamas militant and that it was investigating whether Daghmush was the intended target.Abu Selmiya said Daghmush was a taxi driver and was not known to have any links to any militant group.The Israeli military also said another strike hit the same street about 30 minutes earlier but caused no casualties.The Egyptian Committee, where al-Wahidi worked, is an arm of the Egyptian government. Provides food, shelter and other assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. The committee also organized public screenings of World Cup matches throughout the territory.Support for the Egyptian football team grew in Gaza during the tournament. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan repeatedly spoke about the plight of the Palestinians, dedicated his team’s win over Australia to both Egyptians and Palestinians, and waved the Palestinian flag after the match.Hassan again called for international support for the Palestinians ahead of Tuesday’s match with Argentina.“I urge you, I urge all media officers, all athletes around the world, regardless of their identity, maybe we can deliver a collective message that is, let the Palestinian people be, let them exist, let them live their own lives,” he said.Gaza’s health ministry says the death toll from the war between Israel and Hamas has reached 73,098. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, does not distinguish between civilians and militants, but says women and children make up about half of those killed.The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage.