Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Cafe Kills Hamas Naval Commander, Dozens of Civilians

Al-Baqa Cafeteria, a popular destination in western Gaza City was bombed on Monday

Israeli forces say they have killed Ramzi Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh, the commander of Hamas’s naval force in northern Gaza, in a targeted airstrike on a popular Gaza City cafe that also resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians.

The strike hit the al-Baqa Cafeteria, a well-known seaside venue in Gaza City, on Monday. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation also killed Hisham Ayman Atiya Mansour, deputy head of Hamas’s mortar unit, and Nissim Muhammad Suleiman Abu Sabha. The IDF described Saleh as a “significant source of knowledge” who had helped plan maritime terrorist attacks against Israeli targets.

Despite claims that precautions were taken to minimize harm to civilians, the airstrike led to one of the deadliest single incidents for non-combatants in recent months. Medical officials at Shifa Hospital, which received most of the casualties, reported at least 40 deaths as of Thursday. Many of the victims had succumbed to their injuries after the initial blast, with some bodies described as "blown to pieces." Another 72 individuals were hospitalized with critical injuries, including severe burns and trauma requiring surgical intervention.

Eyewitnesses and family members from Gaza and abroad expressed shock and grief over the high number of civilian deaths. A review of 29 of the names of those killed in the strike included at least nine women, as well as multiple children and teenagers. Among the dead were students, artists, a female boxer, a footballer, social activists, and members of the cafe’s staff.

The al-Baqa Cafeteria, located near the coast, was known for its vibrant atmosphere and had remained a rare spot of connectivity and respite for Gaza residents during the ongoing conflict due to its reliable internet service. It had continued to draw visitors despite the war.

The IDF acknowledged that the incident is under review but did not provide a direct response to inquiries about the proportionality of the strike, especially in light of the civilian death toll. In its public statement, the IDF reiterated its commitment to targeting Hamas operatives to “remove any threat posed to Israeli civilians.”

The airstrike came just as indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas resumed in Qatar on Sunday, aimed at reaching a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages. The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza began in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage inside Israel.

Since the start of Israel’s military operation, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reports that at least 57,338 people have been killed in the territory.