Israeli Strike Kills Nearly 40 in Gaza’s Deadliest Attack Yet

GAZA: In one of the deadliest single strikes since Israel’s war on Gaza began, an Israeli air raid on Monday killed nearly 40 people at a popular internet café and restaurant along Gaza’s coast. The attack has sparked fresh outrage as the death toll in the besieged enclave continues to mount.

The targeted spot had become a rare refuge in Gaza — a place that offered families internet access, food, and a temporary escape from the daily horrors of war. But on Monday, that sanctuary turned into a massacre zone.

“It was a massacre. I saw bits of bodies flying everywhere, bodies mangled and burned,” said Ahmad al-Nayrab, 26, who was walking on a nearby beach when the explosion shattered the silence. “Everybody was screaming. It was a bloodcurdling scene.”

Among the dead were children, women, and a well-known Palestinian journalist, Ismail Abu Hatab. Eyewitnesses said some of the victims were gathered for a child’s birthday party when the missile struck without warning.

Scene of Celebration Turns to Chaos and Grief

The restaurant and café had so far managed to survive nearly 21 months of relentless bombardment. For many residents, it became one of the few places where life still felt somewhat normal. Families would gather there for food, drinks, and to connect with loved ones through limited internet access.

“There’s always a lot of people at that spot,” said Ahmad. “It offered more than just food — it offered hope, a slice of normal life in a place that’s been shattered.”

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But hope was shattered again. Witnesses described children playing moments before the strike. Their laughter was replaced by panic, chaos, and unimaginable grief. Videos posted online show the twisted metal of what used to be the restaurant, charred furniture, and civilians desperately trying to pull survivors from beneath the rubble.

Rescue teams and residents rushed to the scene, but the destruction was massive. “We pulled bodies out with our bare hands. Some were burned beyond recognition,” said a paramedic who asked not to be named.

No Safe Spaces Left as Death Toll Rises

This latest attack underscores what Palestinians and aid groups have been warning for months — there are no safe spaces left in Gaza. Civilian infrastructure, from hospitals to homes and now recreational spots, continues to be targeted or caught in crossfire.

Palestinian health officials say the death toll in Gaza has now crossed 38,000 since October 2023, with thousands more injured and displaced. Human rights groups are calling for urgent international action and investigations into what they describe as disproportionate use of force.

“This was not a military target,” said one local official. “This was a place where families gathered, children played, and people tried to feel human again. To bomb it is inhumane.”

Meanwhile, Israel has not publicly commented on the strike. Its military has repeatedly said it is targeting Hamas fighters and infrastructure, but critics argue that civilian casualties remain alarmingly high.

For Gaza’s civilians, the line between life and death continues to blur — even at birthday parties, even at places meant to heal and connect.

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