An Israeli airstrike in Gaza shortly before kickoff FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match between Egypt and Argentina killed a Palestinian aid official who had helped organize public screenings of the game throughout the enclave, the Associated Press news agency said.The strike came shortly before what was expected to be a big occasion for football fans in Gaza, where many had gathered to watch Egypt face defending champions Argentina.The strike hit a car in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City at dusk Tuesday, Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, was quoted by the AP news agency.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 strike 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 with any militant group.The Israeli military also said another attack had hit the same route about 30 minutes earlier, but caused no casualties.The Egyptian Committee, where al-Wahidi worked, is the relief 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 Egypt’s football team grew in Gaza during the tournament. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has repeatedly spoken out about the plight of the Palestinians, dedicating his team’s win over Australia to both the Egyptians and the Palestinians and waving a Palestinian flag after the match.Ahead of Tuesday’s match against Argentina, Hassan again called for international support for the Palestinians.“I beg you, I urge all media officers, all athletes in the whole world, regardless of their identity, maybe we can transmit a collective message that is the following, 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 Israel-Hamas war has reached 73,098. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its count, but says women and children make up about half of those killed.The war began on October 7, 2023, when militants led by Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage.
