Just before a devastating explosion rocked Gaza City, a lively seaside café, al-Baqa Cafeteria, was filled with artists, students, and athletes enjoying a vibrant atmosphere. Patrons gathered around tables, engrossed in their phones, savoring warm drinks, and chatting with friends. The cheerful tune of "Happy Birthday" echoed as a young child celebrated with loved ones.
In a serene corner with a sea view, a Hamas operative, dressed inconspicuously in civilian attire, took a seat, according to BBC sources. Without warning, an Israeli airstrike unleashed a bomb that ripped through the café, sources reported.
As the blast reverberated, nearby residents rushed to the streets and into al-Baqa, frantically searching for survivors amid the chaos.
"The devastation was unimaginable—bodies, blood, and cries filled the air," a witness shared with the BBC. Another described the scene as "utter destruction, a heartbreaking massacre at al-Baqa Cafeteria that shattered lives."
On Monday, an Israeli airstrike targeted Al-Baqa Cafeteria, a popular Gaza City beachfront café, resulting in significant loss of life. The BBC reviewed 29 reported fatalities, confirming 26 deaths through interviews with family, friends, and eyewitnesses. Among the victims were at least nine women, several children, and teenagers, including artists, students, social activists, a female boxer, a footballer, and café staff, highlighting the diverse group of civilians affected.
The high civilian toll has intensified scrutiny over the proportionality of Israel's military actions in Gaza, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claim target Hamas operatives and aim to secure hostages. The IDF stated the strike focused on "terrorists," with aerial surveillance used to minimize civilian harm, and noted the incident is under review. However, they did not address BBC inquiries regarding the strike’s target or the proportionality of civilian casualties.
Grieving families expressed profound shock. A Palestinian man in the US mourned his 21-year-old friend Muna Juda and another close friend, Raghad Alaa Abu Sultan, killed in the attack, recalling recent lighthearted exchanges.
The BBC’s findings align with reports from the Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency, a senior local medic, and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Shifa Hospital, receiving the casualties, reported 40 deaths by Thursday, including those who later died from injuries and unidentified remains, with some bodies severely dismembered. The hospital treated 72 injured individuals, many with severe burns and injuries requiring surgery, including numerous students.
This tragic event underscores ongoing concerns about civilian safety amid escalating violence in Gaza, fueling calls for accountability and a reevaluation of military strategies to protect non-combatants.
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