The Palestinian organizer of the Gaza World Cup Qualifier was killed by an Israeli attack

This initiative aims to provide families, especially children, with a brief escape from the realities of war.

Egypt’s matches have attracted large audiences, reflecting the team’s long-standing popularity with the Palestinians and their neighbors in Gaza, who have cultural, emotional and political ties.

Videos of children and families huddled around giant screens amid the destroyed buildings have gone viral online, offering rare scenes of celebration amid the conflict.

Al-Wahidi was killed just hours before Egypt’s last 16 match against Argentina, one of those qualifiers, heightening the sense of defeat among many Palestinians.

“He was no ordinary aid worker at the Humanitarian Aid Committee,” wrote activist Mohammed Hameed, who reported on al-Wahidi’s activities. “It was a door of hope that opened every day for the displaced and those who had lost everything.”

“Everyone who knew him speaks of his kindness, integrity and generosity,” he added.

“In Gaza, even those who give their lives to help others do not survive. But good deeds cannot be killed. They live in the hearts of people.”

Al-Wahidi’s death comes at a time when humanitarian aid workers in Gaza are facing grave threats.

As of late April, the United Nations had recorded at least 593 killings since the start of the war, including eight since Israel and Hamas signed a cease-fire agreement 10 months ago.

On October 7, 2023, the Israeli army launched an operation in Gaza in response to an unprecedented attack by Hamas on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Since then, at least 73,118 people have been killed in Israel’s attacks on Gaza, according to the state’s Hamas-run health ministry, a number deemed reliable by the United Nations.