An Israeli airstrike on a bustling seaside cafe in Gaza City killed a Hamas operative and dozens of civilians, sparking widespread outrage and questions over the proportionality of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The strike on Al-Baqa Cafeteria on Monday afternoon resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people, including women, children, and teenagers, with many more injured.
The cafe was a popular meeting spot for friends and family, known for its scenic views of the Mediterranean Sea and stable internet connection. On the day of the strike, the cafe was filled with people enjoying hot drinks, scrolling through their phones, and celebrating a child’s birthday. Without warning, a bomb dropped by Israeli forces tore through the building, causing widespread destruction and chaos.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “horrific,” with bodies, blood, and screaming everywhere. “It was total destruction,” said one man. “A real massacre happened at Al-Baqa Cafeteria. A real massacre that breaks hearts.” The BBC reviewed 29 names of people reported killed in the strike, with 26 deaths confirmed by multiple sources, including family, friends, and eyewitness accounts.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike was targeting “terrorists” and took steps to “mitigate the risk of harming civilians using aerial surveillance.” However, the IDF did not directly respond to questions about the target of the strike or whether it considered the number of civilian casualties to be proportionate. A former senior IDF official told the BBC that he understood “multiple Hamas operatives” were hit at the cafe, but a battle damage assessment was still ongoing.
According to local sources, the target of the strike was Hisham Ayman Mansour, a mid-ranking Hamas commander. Mansour’s cousin described him as a “fighter” with the group, but said he thought he was “low-level” and not currently active. Two sources told the BBC that Mansour was believed to be at the cafe for a “money drop,” while another suggested he was there for “coffee and a short respite” and had not been involved in “militant activities” during the war.
The strike has amplified questions over the proportionality of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which the IDF says are aimed at defeating Hamas and rescuing hostages still being held by the group. The conduct of the strike and the scale of civilian casualties have sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the IDF’s actions.
“The scene was horrific – bodies, blood, screaming everywhere,” said one eyewitness. “It was crazy,” said Saeed Ahel, a regular at the cafe and friend of its managers. “The waiters were gathered around the bar since it was shady and breezy there. Around [six] of them were killed,” he added, before listing their names.
The strike also killed artist Amina Omar Al-Salmi, better known as Frans, who had shared her artwork online depicting a dead woman with her eyes closed and covered in blood. Her sister, now living in Sweden, told the BBC that the last time they spoke, Frans had said that she was sure “something good was going to happen.” “She was happy and said: ‘We’ll meet soon. You’ll see me at your place,'” her sister added.
The Al-Baqa Cafeteria was well-known across the Gaza Strip, considered by many to be among the territory’s most scenic and vibrant meeting spots. The cafe had remained popular even during the war, especially because of its unusually stable internet connection. A cafe manager said that there was a strict entry policy, with customers who looked like targets not allowed inside for safety reasons.
The strike has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the IDF’s actions and the proportionality of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. As the death toll rises, the international community is increasingly scrutinizing Israel’s actions in the conflict. The IDF’s actions have raised questions about the balance between military objectives and civilian protection, with many calling for greater accountability and transparency in military operations.
