The IDF stated the attack on the al-Baqa Cafeteria killed Ramzi Saleh, commander of Hamas’s naval force in northern Gaza, along with deputy mortar unit leader Hisham Mansour and fighter Nissim Abu Sabha. The military described Saleh as a key planner of maritime operations.

However, witness accounts and hospital officials in Gaza describe scenes of devastation. Shifa Hospital received 72 injured and 40 dead, many with severe burns. Several victims were identified as café staff, athletes, and young professionals. A hospital official noted that some bodies had been “blown to pieces.”

Civilian Death Toll Draws Scrutiny

The IDF said it had taken steps to minimize civilian harm, but did not clarify why so many non-combatants were killed. The BBC reviewed a list of 29 victims, including at least nine women and several children and teenagers.

The al-Baqa Café, a well-known spot in Gaza with stable internet, remained popular even during the ongoing war. Its location and prominence have led to questions about the intelligence guiding the strike.

Ceasefire Talks Resume Amid Escalation

The incident comes as Israeli and Hamas delegations begin indirect ceasefire and hostage negotiations in Qatar. The war, triggered by Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of 251 hostages, has since claimed over 57,000 lives in Gaza, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Israel’s military campaign continues, with the IDF stating it will press on against Hamas while the al-Baqa strike remains “under review.”