Gaza City, Gaza Strip — A series of Israeli airstrikes targeted civilian sites in Gaza on Monday, resulting in at least 95 deaths and numerous injuries. Among the conditions revealed were attacks on a cafe, a school, and food distribution centers, heightening the humanitarian crisis in the besieged region.
The strikes claimed the lives of 62 victims in Gaza City and the northern part of the territory, with the Al-Baqa cafeteria being a particularly devastating target. Reports indicated that 39 people died when Israeli fighter jets struck the coastal cafe, which was crowded with families, including children celebrating a birthday. Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes of destruction, where bodies were found mangled amid the wreckage.
“This location held no political affiliations and was simply a place for people to enjoy a moment of respite,” remarked Yahya Sharif, an eyewitness. “The explosion left a crater where life once thrived.”
The assault on the café was one of several offensives that day. An additional airstrike on a food distribution warehouse in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood resulted in the death of at least 13 people. Survivors reported that the site had provided essential rations to those in desperate need, underscoring the precarious situation faced by the civilian population.
Further attacks targeted the Yafa School, where hundreds of displaced residents had taken refuge. One evacuee, Hamada Abu Jaradeh, recounted the near-instantaneous bombing that left families scrambling for safety. “We received a mere five minutes’ warning to evacuate. We feel abandoned by the world,” he expressed amid growing anxiety over their uncertain futures.
In central Gaza, an Israeli strike on Al-Aqsa Hospital injured several individuals and led to chaos as families seeking shelter attempted to escape the attack. Reports from the scene indicated that parts of the hospital’s courtyard were damaged, adding pressure to a healthcare system already on the brink of collapse. Observers noted that the facility has faced repeated attacks throughout the ongoing conflict.
“The hospital’s courtyard has been targeted at least ten times, creating a staggering burden on medical facilities,” reported Tareq Abu Azzoum, who provided live updates from the location. Gaza’s Government Media Office denounced the assault as a “systematic crime,” emphasizing its detrimental impact on patients and healthcare workers.
Further compounding the humanitarian disaster, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on aid distribution hubs in Khan Younis, leading to the deaths of at least 15 people. Despite ongoing violence, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation continues to provide limited aid under increasingly perilous conditions. Reports suggest that almost 600 Palestinians have died at these sites since aid deliveries resumed in late May.
The Israeli military acknowledged the civilian casualties and stated that investigations were ongoing regarding the circumstances surrounding these events. However, reports have emerged indicating that some soldiers were instructed to use lethal force at crowds gathered at aid sites, raising serious concerns about the conduct of military operations in populated areas.
As tensions escalate, many Palestinians fear further displacement. Israeli forces have issued new evacuation threats to northern Gaza residents, amid ongoing home demolitions and heavy shelling in several neighborhoods. One resident expressed the pervasive fear, comparing the relentless bombardments to earthquakes shaking the ground beneath them.
In light of the current crisis, diplomatic efforts continue in an attempt to reach a ceasefire. Israeli officials are expected to meet with leaders in Washington as the United States, alongside mediators from Qatar and Egypt, strives to rekindle negotiations. Despite ongoing communications, there remains deep skepticism about a swift resolution, especially considering the dire human toll escalating with each passing day.
Hamas officials, meanwhile, expressed frustration over a lack of communication regarding a ceasefire, emphasizing their commitment to seeking peace and reopening vital crossings. The conflict shows no signs of abating as both sides grapple with a cycle of violence that has left countless families in despair.