An Israeli missile struck the Al-Baqa cafe in Gaza, resulting in at least 24 fatalities, including women, children, and a Palestinian photojournalist. The cafe was busy with patrons seeking respite amid ongoing conflict. Witnesses described horrific scenes of destruction, with bodies scattered and chaos ensuing as smoke filled the air. The Israel Defense Forces stated they were reviewing the attack, claiming it targeted Hamas militants. Despite the violence of war lasting over 20 months, the cafe had provided a needed escape for families and individuals.
Abu al-Nour, 60, recalled the scene outside the al-Baqa café: 'Just as I was close, a missile struck. Shrapnel flew everywhere, and the place filled with smoke and the smell of gunpowder. I couldn't see anything. I ran toward the cafe and found it destroyed. I went inside and saw bodies lying on the ground.'
Ahmad al-Nayrab, 26, expressed the significance of the café: 'There's always a lot of people at that spot, which offers drinks, spaces for families and internet access.' He described the explosion as 'a bloodcurdling scene; everybody was screaming.'
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they were reviewing the attack, claiming it had struck several Hamas terrorists, but witnesses highlighted the heavy toll on civilians.
One witness described the aftermath of the strike as a 'massacre,' noting that the café had survived more than 20 months of war, providing respite for its patrons.
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