Deadly Strike Hits World Cup Gathering
An aid worker was killed and multiple people were wounded on Tuesday evening when an Israeli airstrike struck a location in Gaza where a World Cup football match was being screened, according to Palestinian health officials and eyewitnesses.
The incident occurred in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The aid worker, identified as 34-year-old Mahmoud al-Hajj, was employed by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). He was among a group of displaced Palestinians watching the semi-final match between France and Morocco on a large outdoor screen.
Details of the Attack
The Israeli military said it had targeted a militant who was present at the screening, but did not provide immediate evidence. The strike killed al-Hajj and injured at least 12 others, three of them critically, according to the Gaza health ministry.
The NRC confirmed al-Hajj's death, stating he was a dedicated humanitarian worker who had been assisting families affected by the conflict. "We are devastated by the loss of our colleague," the organization said in a statement. "He was providing vital aid to civilians and was killed while watching a football match with his community."
International Reaction
The United Nations condemned the strike, calling for a full investigation. UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Lynn Hastings, said: "Civilians and humanitarian workers must never be a target. This tragic incident underscores the dire need for a ceasefire and the protection of all civilians."
The strike comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas, which have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians since October 2023. World Cup screenings have been a rare source of joy for displaced families in Gaza, many of whom have lost their homes and loved ones.
Broader Context
More than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began, according to the Gaza health ministry. The conflict was sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
International aid agencies have repeatedly called for safe zones for civilians and humanitarian workers. The killing of al-Hajj marks another blow to the already strained humanitarian operations in the enclave.
