An Israeli strike in Gaza kills a Palestinian aid official shortly before the FIFA World Cup match between Egypt and Argentina, multiple outlets report. The victim, identified in reporting as Mohamed al-Wahidi, is described as a senior figure with Egypt’s government relief body operating in Gaza and as someone who helped organise screenings of the match for local residents. AP reports the strike hit a car in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood at dusk, turning a planned live viewing of the game into an immediate reminder of ongoing violence. Gaza’s Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya is quoted as saying al-Wahidi and three others are killed, including the driver and two brothers.
Israel’s military says al-Wahidi was not the intended target and that the attack was aimed at a Hamas militant, with officials checking whether the driver was the target. The reports also note that the match screenings were meant to provide a moment of celebration for Palestinians in the strip. CBS and other outlets echo the account of al-Wahidi’s role in organising the screenings. The reporting references that strikes continue after a US-mediated ceasefire agreement reached in October, while Palestinian health authorities record ongoing civilian deaths.
