At least 20 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a popular seafront café in western Gaza, local medics and eyewitnesses confirmed. The strike on Al-Baqa Cafeteria, an open-air venue often frequented by journalists, activists, and remote workers, occurred on Monday afternoon, leaving behind devastation and sorrow.
Tragedy at Al-Baqa Cafeteria
Rescue teams rushed to the scene, where a massive explosion had left a deep crater. They recovered 20 bodies and evacuated dozens of injured individuals. “I was just a few meters away when the explosion occurred,” said Aziz Al-Afifi, a local cameraman. “The scene was horrific. There were bodies, blood, and screaming everywhere,” he added.
Al-Baqa Cafeteria had gained recognition as a common gathering place for journalists, local residents, and others seeking a safe and productive spot along Gaza’s Mediterranean coast. Videos circulating on social media showed the moment of impact, as missile fire, reportedly from an Israeli warplane, hit the café, scattering bodies and debris across the beach.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
The bombing is part of a broader wave of Israeli airstrikes that rocked the Gaza Strip overnight, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Many of the strikes targeted densely populated areas in Gaza City, including Shujaiya, Tuffah, and Zeitoun. In Zeitoun, one of the strikes reportedly hit a school that had been sheltering displaced families.
“In the news, we hear a ceasefire is near, but on the ground, it’s chaos and destruction,” said Salah, a Gaza City resident. “Explosions feel like earthquakes, and death is all around.”
Eyewitnesses also confirmed the deaths of five individuals in a separate strike at the Al Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City. The violence comes as Israel has ordered the evacuation of large areas in northern Gaza, a move that has left hundreds of Palestinian families displaced. Many of these families have fled westward within Gaza City, defying the Israeli directive to move southward.
Israeli Pressure for Ceasefire Intensifies
The latest attack is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict that has ravaged Gaza since March 2025. With the situation growing more dire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing mounting pressure to broker a ceasefire deal. While the Israeli military maintains that its operations are justified, there is widespread international concern about the increasing civilian toll. President Donald Trump of the United States has publicly stated that Netanyahu is working on negotiating a ceasefire with Hamas, but the prospects of a successful resolution remain uncertain.
Since the war’s resumption in March, over 56,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. Efforts to mediate peace have faltered, as recent ceasefire agreements collapsed and humanitarian conditions worsened.
Impact of Blockades and Humanitarian Aid
One significant aspect of the ongoing conflict has been Israel’s blockade on Gaza, which initially halted humanitarian aid deliveries. Although pressure from global allies led to a partial easing of the blockade, the creation of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has sparked controversy. There have been almost daily reports of casualties as Palestinians seek aid, with Israel stating that it has only fired warning shots towards those it deems a threat.
The ongoing bombardment follows a pattern of Israeli airstrikes targeting critical infrastructure in Gaza, including schools, health facilities, and civilian areas. As Gaza continues to struggle with the consequences of airstrikes, the international community’s calls for an immediate ceasefire grow louder.
Conclusion: A Desperate Call for Peace
As the situation in Gaza becomes increasingly dire, the humanitarian crisis shows no signs of abating. With civilians caught in the crossfire and rescue efforts hindered by ongoing violence, the international community must intensify its efforts to broker a meaningful ceasefire.
The growing toll on Palestinian lives and infrastructure underscores the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to this long-standing conflict. Whether Netanyahu’s government can manage to balance military objectives with global pressure for peace remains a question that will shape the region’s future.