“They Were Just Sitting There”: Gaza Café Strike Leaves Grief and Rubble
In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes of the ongoing Gaza conflict,Gaza airstrikes, dozens of civilians were killed when an Israeli missile struck the Al-Baqa café, a seaside establishment once known as a rare refuge from war. The café was full of families, youth, and journalists looking for a brief moment of peace. Within seconds, that peace turned into devastation.
According to Gaza airstrikes, the café was crowded at the time of the attack. “They were just sitting there, drinking tea,” said one survivor, his voice trembling. “There were no fighters, no weapons—only people trying to feel normal again.”
The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted suspected Hamas operatives allegedly using civilian areas for cover. However, locals and independent observers maintain there was no visible militant activity in or around the café. Among the dead was a well-known local journalist, Ismail Abu Hatab, who had been documenting life in war-torn Gaza for months.
Photos and videos shared by rescue workers show scenes of utter destruction—bodies buried in the sand, shattered cups and chairs, children’s shoes covered in dust. Emergency teams struggled to retrieve the wounded as secondary blasts and structural damage hampered access.
The death toll from the café strike is estimated between 39 to 60, many of whom were women and children. The strike adds to a growing list of civilian casualties, especially in areas believed to be outside immediate conflict zones. Aid agencies and human rights groups condemned the attack, calling it another blow to international humanitarian law and the principle of civilian protection.
This incident is not just another statistic. For the people of Gaza, it’s a chilling reminder that no place feels safe anymore—not homes, not hospitals, not schools, and now not even a beachside café.
As diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire continue, the global community faces renewed pressure to hold accountable those responsible for targeting civilians. Until then, the people of Gaza airstrikes endure each day not knowing what—or who—might be lost next.
