In Cairo, recent Israeli military actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 74 individuals. This includes an airstrike at a seaside café in Gaza City which claimed 30 lives, and gunfire which left 23 people dead as Palestinians attempted to secure urgently needed food aid, according to eyewitnesses and health authorities.
The airstrike struck Al-Baqa Café, a popular spot frequently filled with women and children, as described by Ali Abu Ateila, a patron inside at the time. “Without any warning, the warplane hit, making the place shake like an earthquake,” he recounted.
Fares Awad, head of the Health Ministry’s emergency and ambulance service in northern Gaza, noted that beyond the fatalities, dozens were injured, with many in critical condition. Shifa Hospital reported another two strikes that killed 15 people on a street in Gaza City, while a separate attack near the town of Zawaida led to six deaths, according to Al-Aqsa hospital.
The café had been one of the few enterprises to stay operational during the prolonged conflict and offered residents internet access and a spot to charge their electronics. Videos circulated on social media depicted the gruesome aftermath with bodies and the severely wounded being transported away.
Additionally, in southern Gaza, Israeli forces reportedly killed 11 Palestinians who were trying to obtain food aid, based on witness accounts, hospitals, and Gaza’s Health Ministry reports. Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis reported that bodies were brought in from those shot while returning from an aid site linked to the Israeli and U.S.-supported Gaza Humanitarian Fund. The aid distribution has been rife with conflict, contributing to over 500 Palestinian deaths amidst these aid endeavors in recent weeks.
The incident near Nasser Hospital occurred roughly 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the GHF hub in Khan Younis, affecting people on their return trips using the only available route. Accessing these aid hubs often requires Palestinians to travel extensive distances in hopes of receiving necessary provisions. Additional fatalities were reported near GHF hubs in Rafah and by Netzarim corridor, separating northern and southern Gaza.
Ten more individuals were killed at a United Nations aid depot in northern Gaza, as relayed by ambulance services. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere of panic with Monzer Hisham Ismail noting, “We were targeted by artillery.”
Yousef Mahmoud Mokheimar narrated his experience of walking with a group when they spotted incoming Israeli forces. “They fired warning shots before targeting us,” Mokheimar explained, recounting the chaos and injury among those present, including his own leg wound and another individual shot attempting to assist him.
Reports surfaced of Israeli troops detaining multiple Palestinians, including children, although their current status remains unknown. The Israeli military is reportedly examining these events, affirming past practices where they issue warning shots for those deemed suspicious or approaching too closely during aid distribution.
Israel advocates for the Gaza Humanitarian Fund to replace the current system managed by the United Nations and international aid bodies, accusing Hamas of diverting aid to strengthen their governance. The U.N., however, denies any systemic diversion of resources.
In an effort to coordinate better access, Israel has implemented organizational enhancements like new fencing, signage, and opened additional routes to aid areas.
The Israeli side maintains its operations solely target militants, attributing civilian casualties to Hamas’ tactics of blending among civilians in densely populated locales.
The escalation of Israeli strikes has notably intensified in Gaza City and the adjacent Jabaliya refugee camp, with Palestinians experiencing what they term a “scorched earth” campaign, targeting mostly uninhabited buildings and public utilities.
“The destruction seems incessant,” shared Mohamed Mahdy, a resident forced to leave his damaged dwelling. Meanwhile, emergency services, as conveyed by Awad, find themselves unable to reach many areas at its heart due to widespread devastation.
The ongoing war has resulted in more than 56,000 Palestinian deaths, with half reportedly being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The hostilities were triggered by a Hamas assault in October 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and over 250 hostages taken.