An Israeli airstrike on Gaza before the kickoff of FIFA World Cup round-of-16 match between Egypt and Argentina killed a Palestinian aid official who helped organize public screenings of the game across the enclave, the Associated Press news agency reported.The strike came ahead of what was expected to be a big event for football fans in Gaza, where many had gathered to watch Egypt take on defending champion Argentina.The strike hit a car in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City at dusk on Tuesday, Dr Mohamed Abu Selmiya, director of Shifa Hospital, was quoted as saying by the AP news agency.Those killed were Mohamed al-Wahidi, an official of the Egyptian Committee in Gaza, 10-year-old Hamza al-Deri, his eight-year-old brother Fari al-Deri, and the car’s driver, 33-year-old Ahmed Daghmush.The Israeli military said al-Wahidi was not the intended target. It said the strike was aimed at a Hamas militant and that it was investigating whether Daghmush was the intended target.Abu Selmiya said Daghmush was a taxi driver and had no affiliation with any militant group.The Israeli military also said another strike hit the same road about 30 minutes later but caused no casualties.The Egyptian Committee, where al-Wahidi works, is the relief arm of the Egyptian government. It provides food, shelter and other aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The committee also organizes public screenings of World Cup matches throughout the territory.Support for Egypt’s football team grew in Gaza during the tournament. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has repeatedly spoken about the plight of the Palestinians, dedicating his team’s victory over Australia to the Egyptians and Palestinians and waving the Palestinian flag after the match.Ahead of Tuesday’s match against Argentina, Hassan again called for international support for the Palestinians.“I urge you, I urge all media officials, all athletes around the world, regardless of their identities, maybe we can express a collective message which is the following, let the Palestinian people, let them exist, let them live on their own,” he said.Gaza’s health ministry says the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has reached 73,098. The ministry, which operates under the Hamas-led government, did not distinguish between civilians and militants in its count, but said women and children made up nearly half of those killed.The war began on October 7, 2023, when militants led by Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and capturing 251 others.