Over 30 Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza City Café
Amid an escalating conflict, over 30 Palestinians, including children, were killed and dozens injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the Al-Baqa Café in western Gaza City on Monday, according to multiple sources. The café, known for its popularity among intellectuals, journalists, and artists, provided a modicum of respite for residents and was one of the few places offering internet access in the besieged city.
Background and Context
The Al-Baqa Café, located along Gaza City beach, was a bustling hub for activists, journalists, and students seeking internet access. Its seaside location and temporary structure also attracted families in search of respite amidst the conflict. The café had recently regained internet connectivity, drawing back its pre-war clientele despite its kitchens having to close due to limited food supplies entering Gaza.
Victims and Casualties
Among the fatalities were Palestinian photojournalist Ismail Abu Hatab and visual artist Frans Al-Salmi, according to reports from the Quds News Network and the Middle East Eye. Abu Hatab's death brings the journalist death toll to 228 since the start of the ongoing conflict in October 2023.
Emergency teams were seen digging through the rubble to retrieve victims, with images and videos documenting the aftermath circulated online by Quds Network. The number of casualties is expected to rise, according to local sources.
Larger Context
This attack is part of a larger Israeli offensive across Gaza, with Tuesday being one of the deadliest days, according to the Gaza Civil Defense. Over 70 individuals were killed in various attacks on residential buildings and civilian gatherings, with more than 200 injured, many of them critically. The rising number of casualties includes many civilians caught in or near aid distribution zones.
Current Status
Rescue and recovery efforts continue throughout Gaza. The Civil Defense spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, confirmed that teams are still working at various sites, including the Al-Dahdar family home in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood and the Abu Samra family home in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, where over 30 people remain trapped beneath the rubble.
Reports indicate that rescue teams have been unable to reach several affected areas due to continuing and repeated Israeli attacks. Despite the mounting death toll and widespread destruction, there is no sign of the conflict easing.