In a recent Israeli airstrike targeting a cafe near Gaza City’s port, at least 31 people lost their lives, and around 70 others sustained injuries, according to Dr Mohammad Abu Silmiya, the director of Al-Shifa hospital, the largest medical facility in the region. This incident occurred during a period of heightened conflict, with many civilians caught in the crossfire.
Footage analysed by CNN revealed scenes of devastation, with plumes of thick smoke billowing from the site and extensive wreckage surrounding the cafe. Rescue efforts were visibly underway with bodies being carried away on stretchers. The Israeli Defence Forces stated that they were investigating the attack’s circumstances.
The Al-Baqa cafe, known for being a popular gathering spot for students, journalists, and remote workers due to its internet access and picturesque location by the Mediterranean, became the site of this tragic event. Tragically, many of the casualties were reported to be women and children, including students who were accessing the internet at the cafe when the strike occurred.
Dr. Silmiya pointed out that the hospital was struggling with a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds and anaesthesia supplies to cater to the influx of casualties. He remarked that the hospital had resorted to treating some of the injured on the floor due to a lack of available beds and rooms.
Among the deceased was freelance journalist Ismail Abu Hatab, whose death highlights the perilous conditions faced by media professionals in the area. The Hamas-controlled Government Media Office indicated that his death marked the 228th journalist killed by Israeli military actions in Gaza since October 2023.
The incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with medical facilities overwhelmed and civilian life severely disrupted due to the ongoing conflict.