An Israeli airstrike struck a cafe near Gaza City’s port, killing more than 40 people and injuring dozens, as Gaza’s largest hospital struggled to treat the growing number of casualties. The incident, which hit a popular spot for students and journalists, has heightened tensions amid ongoing debates within the Israeli government about the future of the Gaza conflict ahead of an upcoming high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump.
Casualties and Hospital Crisis
Dr. Mohammad Abu Silmiya, director of Al-Shifa hospital, reported on Monday night that at least 41 people were killed and 75 wounded in the strike on the Al-Baqa cafe. Videos verified by CNN showed thick smoke billowing over the site, severe damage to the cafe, and bodies being carried away on stretchers. Most of the victims were women and children, including many students who were at the cafe to access the internet and study.
The hospital is overwhelmed, facing shortages of ICU beds and anesthetics, forcing staff to treat the injured on the hospital floor due to lack of available rooms and beds. Among the dead was freelance journalist Ismail Abu Hatab, raising the number of journalists killed in Gaza since October 2023 to 228, according to the Hamas-controlled Government Media Office.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted several Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza earlier that day and stated steps were taken beforehand to minimize civilian casualties, including aerial surveillance. The IDF confirmed the incident is currently under review.
Israeli Government Divisions Ahead of Trump Meeting
The strike comes amid internal disagreements among Israeli leadership on how to proceed with the Gaza conflict. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his senior advisers have held consecutive meetings but have yet to finalize a clear strategy. A source familiar with the discussions indicated Netanyahu is inclined toward seeking a ceasefire deal, which aligns with US President Donald Trump’s public call for ending the war within a week.
However, some senior Israeli officials, including far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have pushed for intensified military action in Gaza, advocating a more aggressive approach. Meanwhile, others like Aryeh Deri support a comprehensive hostage negotiation to bring the conflict to a close.
Ben Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power party, expressed frustration at what he called wasted opportunities and insisted that Israel must take decisive action soon. Netanyahu is reportedly aiming to reach a policy decision before his upcoming Washington visit with Trump on July 7.
Netanyahu recently highlighted new opportunities following Israeli operations in Iran, suggesting these could aid efforts to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza.
