Israeli Airstrike Claims Life of Aid Worker Before World Cup Match
WHO:
The Guardian - Mohamed al-Wahidi, 57, was the director of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza and had worked for years on aid and development projects in the Palestinian territory.
AP News - Mohamed al-Wahidi, a top Palestinian aid official and organizer of public screenings for the World Cup in Gaza.
AP News - Hamza al-Deri, a 10-year-old boy, and his 8-year-old brother, Fari al-Deri, were killed in the strike.
AP News - Ahmed Daghmush, a 33-year-old taxi driver, was also killed in the strike.
AP News - Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, confirmed the casualties.
AP News - Hossam Hassan, coach of the Egyptian national team, highlighted the plight of the Palestinian people.
WHAT:
The Guardian - The Israeli military confirmed that the missile strike was aimed at a “terrorist in Hamas’ military wing” and stated that al-Wahidi was not the intended target.
The Guardian - The fourth victim of the strike, Ahmed Daghmush, was reported to be 30 years old and was hit by shrapnel while in a relative’s house near the blast.
AP News - The blast turned a moment of celebration into a reminder of ongoing civilian casualties due to Israeli strikes in Gaza.
AP News - An Israeli strike hit the same street half an hour earlier, causing no casualties.
AP News - The Egyptian Committee in Gaza organized public screenings of soccer matches across Gaza.
AP News - An Israeli airstrike killed four individuals, including al-Wahidi, just before the kickoff of the Egypt-Argentina World Cup match.
AP News - The Israeli military stated that al-Wahidi was not the target of the strike, which aimed at a Hamas militant.
AP News - At least 1,084 people, including 258 children, have been killed since a truce took effect in October.
AP News - The Palestinian death toll from the Israel-Hamas war stands at 73,110, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
WHERE:
AP News - The airstrike occurred in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.
AP News - The Egyptian Committee in Gaza, which al-Wahidi worked for, is the relief arm of the Egyptian government.
WHEN:
AP News - The airstrike occurred just before the kickoff of the Egypt-Argentina World Cup match.
AP News - The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
WHY:
The Guardian - A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the incident is under review and expressed regret for any harm to uninvolved individuals.
AP News - Coach Hossam Hassan dedicated his team’s victory over Australia to both Egyptians and Palestinians and urged the world to do more for the Palestinian people, stating, “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.”
AP News - The Israeli military claims its strikes target militants and expresses regret for civilian casualties.
HOW:
The Guardian - The IDF reported that the strike occurred while targeting a terrorist traveling in a vehicle in the northern Gaza Strip.
AP News - The Israeli military stated it was checking if Ahmed Daghmush was the target of the strike, as he was not known to be affiliated with any militant group.
AP News - The Israeli military conducted an airstrike targeting a Hamas militant, which resulted in civilian casualties.
(UPDATED July 8, 2026 19:26 UTC)
The Israeli military has confirmed that a recent missile strike in the northern Gaza Strip was aimed at a terrorist associated with Hamas, although they stated that Mohamed al-Wahidi, the director of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, was not the intended target. Tragically, the strike also resulted in the death of 30-year-old Ahmed Daghmush, who was struck by shrapnel while inside a relative's home nearby. A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces has indicated that the incident is under review and expressed regret for any harm caused to uninvolved individuals.
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(UPDATED July 8, 2026 14:46 UTC)
A recent Israeli strike in Gaza turned a moment of celebration into a stark reminder of the ongoing civilian casualties, following an earlier strike on the same street that fortunately caused no injuries. Coach Hossam Hassan dedicated his team's victory over Australia to both Egyptians and Palestinians, calling on the world to do more for the Palestinian people and urging, “let the Palestinian people be, let them exist, let them live a life of their own.” Meanwhile, the Israeli military is investigating whether Ahmed Daghmush was the intended target of the strike, as he is not known to have any ties to militant groups.
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(UPDATED July 8, 2026 13:31 UTC)
An Israeli airstrike in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City has tragically claimed the lives of four individuals, including top Palestinian aid official Mohamed al-Wahidi, just before the kickoff of the Egypt-Argentina World Cup match. The Israeli military stated that al-Wahidi was not the intended target, as the strike aimed at a Hamas militant, but it has raised concerns over the increasing civilian casualties, with at least 1,084 people reported killed since a truce took effect in October. Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, confirmed the casualties, while Hossam Hassan, coach of the Egyptian national team, emphasized the ongoing plight of the Palestinian people.