At least 40 people were killed and more than 70 injured after an Israeli airstrike struck a popular seaside café in Gaza City on Thursday night. The attack, which targeted a suspected Hamas operative, left behind scenes of devastation and mourning.
The strike hit the Al-Baqa Cafeteria, a well-known hangout spot near the port area, packed at the time with students, artists, families, and workers. Witnesses said the café was full of life moments before the explosion. Some patrons were celebrating a birthday; others were using the café’s strong internet connection to study or connect with loved ones.
Shortly before the strike, a Hamas operative — later identified as 27-year-old Hisham Ayman Mansour — reportedly entered the café dressed in civilian clothing. The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted “terrorists” at the location but claimed it tried to avoid civilian casualties.
Instead, the blast killed many innocent people. Among the dead were teenagers, waiters, a female boxer, a popular artist, and multiple children. Family members said the area had not been marked for evacuation and was thought to be relatively safe.
One of the youngest victims, 17-year-old Sama Mohammad Abu Namous, was using the café’s Wi-Fi to study with her brother when the bomb struck. She died instantly.
Artist Amina Omar Al-Salmi, known online as “Frans”, and female boxer Malak Musleh, a rising star in Gaza’s women’s sports scene, were also killed. Their deaths have sparked an outpouring of grief online and across Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike was aimed at Hamas fighters and is currently under review. Defense experts believe the weapon used was a heavy bomb dropped by a warplane, not a smaller missile, suggesting a deliberate and direct hit.
Although the IDF did not confirm whether Mansour was the main target, a former Israeli official said more than one Hamas operative was present. However, only Mansour’s name has been confirmed by local sources.
Gaza’s Shifa Hospital reported that it received 40 dead bodies and treated 72 injured victims, many with severe burns and blast injuries.
The attack has intensified international concern over the rising civilian death toll in Gaza, where thousands have already died in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
With Gaza closed to international media, details remain difficult to verify. But on the ground, the blood-stained remains of toys, playing cards, and café chairs tell a painful story — of lives lost in a war where civilians continue to pay the highest price.
