At Least 62 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza
On Monday, at least 62 people were killed in Israeli attacks, mostly in Gaza City and northern Gaza. One of the deadliest attacks hit a beachside café called Al-Baqa, where 39 people died and many others were injured.
A journalist named Ismail Abu Hatab, along with women and children celebrating a birthday, were among the dead. A witness said that Israeli fighter jets carried out the attack.
“We found people’s bodies torn apart,” said Yahya Sharif. “The café wasn’t linked to politics or the military. It was just full of families and kids.”
The café was destroyed, and a large hole was left in the ground.
Talks and More Violence
Just a day after former U.S. President Donald Trump said, “Make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back,” an Israeli minister, Ron Dermer, flew to Washington to discuss the war in Gaza and issues with Iran.
Meanwhile, violence in Gaza continued. The Israeli army told people in parts of northern Gaza to leave their homes, forcing more people to flee.
“There were constant explosions. They bombed homes and schools. It felt like earthquakes,” said Salah, a father from Gaza City.
A woman named Amani Swalha stood in the ruins of a school and said, “We are not just numbers or pictures. We want to live with dignity, not like this.”
Israeli tanks moved into eastern Gaza City and bombed schools. Families sheltering in those schools were told to leave first.
Gaza health officials said 58 people were killed on Monday alone. This includes 10 people in the Zeitoun area and at least 13 southwest of Gaza City. Many were shot or killed in airstrikes.
At least 22 people were killed in the café strike, including women, children, and another journalist. Over 220 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war started in October 2023.
Israel said it targeted Hamas fighters and tried to avoid harming civilians. But it did not comment directly on the attack at the café.
Evacuations and More Fighting
Israel told people in the north to move south again, saying Hamas fighters are still hiding in Gaza City.
Talks are ongoing to reach a ceasefire. Dermer will also discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s possible visit to the White House.
Israeli leaders said the ground fighting is close to reaching its goals. Netanyahu recently said there may be a chance to get the hostages back. About 20 are believed to be alive.
Talks with mediators from Egypt and Qatar continue, but no new date has been set for a truce. A Hamas official said Israel must end the war and leave Gaza. Israel says the war will only end when Hamas gives up its weapons, which Hamas refuses to do.
Ceasefire Proposal
Israel has agreed to a U.S. plan for a 60-day ceasefire and hostage deal. Israel says Hamas is holding it up.
Austria’s foreign minister, visiting Jerusalem, said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is “unbearable” and hurting Israel’s ties with Europe. She called for an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, and more humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Israel says it allows aid in but accuses Hamas of stealing it. Hamas denies this and says Israel is using hunger as a weapon.
The U.S. plan includes a 60-day truce and the release of half the hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners and the bodies of dead Palestinians. The rest of the hostages would be freed if Israel agrees to end the war.
Background of the War
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and taking 251 hostages to Gaza. It was the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
Since then, Israel’s military response has killed more than 56,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health officials. Nearly all 2.3 million people in Gaza have been displaced, and the area is facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
The U.N. says over 80% of Gaza is now under Israeli military control or evacuation orders.
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