In brief
Mohammed al‑Wahidi, a senior official of the Egyptian Relief Committee and a key figure in delivering food aid and organising public World Cup screenings, was killed when an Israeli missile struck a taxi in the Sabra neighbourhood of Gaza City. His death left a profound void in a community that saw him as a source of hope and comfort. Al‑Wahidi’s work had been crucial not only in coordinating emergency supplies but also in creating temporary shelters for displaced families. The strike, acknowledged by the Israeli military as hitting a Hamas operative, also claimed the lives of three civilians, including two young brothers. As Gaza continues to suffer under relentless bombardment, the loss of such a humanitarian worker underscores the grim reality for those providing aid in the conflict zone.
Palestinians mourn Gaza World Cup screenings organiser killed in Israeli strike
The killing of Mohammed al‑Wahidi in an Israeli air strike on Tuesday has sparked an outpouring of grief across Gaza, where he was widely recognised for his humanitarian work.
Al‑Wahidi was an English teacher before the war, but more recently served as a senior official with the Egyptian Relief Committee. He has spent over 2½ years coordinating emergency food assistance, overseeing camps for displaced families, and delivering aid to communities repeatedly hit by conflict.
Within hours of his death, social‑media platforms flooded with photos and videos of his work, as well as messages of condolence from those who had met him while distributing food or living in displacement camps.
The Israeli missile struck a taxi that al‑Wahidi was travelling in through the Sabra neighbourhood, killing him and three other civilians, including two brothers aged eight and ten who were passing by.
The Israeli military said it had struck a Hamas operative, acknowledging that non‑combatants had been killed in the strike.
Al‑Wahidi’s death coincided with the launch of his recently expanded programme of public football screenings. He had helped organise multiple World Cup matches in Gaza City, Deir al‑Balah, and the al‑Mawasi area, aiming to give families, especially children, a brief escape from the realities of war.
The initiative drew large crowds, especially for Egypt’s matches, reflecting the deep cultural, emotional and political ties many Palestinians share with their Egyptian neighbours. Videos of families gathering around giant screens amid destroyed buildings spread widely online, offering rare scenes of celebration amid conflict.
Al‑Wahidi was killed only hours before the match between Egypt and Argentina, deepening the sense of loss among many Palestinians.
An activist quoted as saying: “He was not simply an aid worker… He was a door to hope that opened every day for displaced people.”
The Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza began in response to the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, during which 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. According to Gaza’s Hamas‑run health ministry, at least 73,118 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then.
Al‑Wahidi’s death is a reminder of the risks faced by humanitarian workers. In late April, the UN recorded the killing of at least 593 such workers since the war began, including eight since a ceasefire agreement 10 months ago.
