Israel bombs seaside Gaza cafe used for internet, killing 39 including artist, journalist

At least 39 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a seaside cafe in western Gaza on Monday. The Al-Baqa Cafe, made of tents and located along the seafront, was widely used by journalists, human rights activists, and local residents as a rare access point to the internet amid Gaza’s ongoing communications blackout.

According to medical personnel and eyewitnesses, the cafe was targeted during peak hours. A spokesman for the Gaza's Civil Defense Department confirmed that bodies and dozens of injured individuals were pulled from the wreckage.

Among the victims was Palestinian artist Frans al-Salmi, known for her powerful and expressive artworks depicting the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people. Her death sparked a wave of mourning on social media.

Read: Eight killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza journalist's home

Photojournalist Ismail Abu Hatab was also killed in the strike, raising the death toll of journalists in Gaza to 227 since October 2023.

Fellow journalist Bayan Abusultan was injured in the attack, though her wounds were not life-threatening. A photo showing her bloodied and in shock quickly went viral online, highlighting the brutal aftermath of the strike.

استشهاد الصحفي إسماعيل أبو حطب في استهداف إسرائيلي لكافتيريا على شاطئ غزة، ليرتفع عدد شهداء الصحفيين في القطاع إلى 228. pic.twitter.com/vBc8Sj4r8b

— أنس الشريف Anas Al-Sharif (@AnasAlSharif0) June 30, 2025

🚨BREAKING :The Israeli army killed renowned Palestinian visual artist Frans Al-Salmi in the latest massacre on Gaza’s coast.

Frans was widely known for her powerful and expressive artwork that captured the soul of Palestinian life and struggle. pic.twitter.com/5OQZithdGv

— Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) June 30, 2025

JUST IN: Journalist Bayan Abu Sultan following Israel’s airstrike targeting Al-Baqa cafe on Gaza City’s beach. pic.twitter.com/xm2hdkCGVL

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) June 30, 2025

The Civil Defense spokesman added that the airstrike left a large crater at the site, complicating rescue operations.

Footage shared by local activists captured the moment an Israeli aircraft allegedly launched the missile. Later videos showed charred debris and bodies scattered across the blast site.

The Al-Baqa Cafe had become a vital space for communication and reporting, especially for media workers attempting to operate under the blackout imposed by Israel’s blockade.

In separate attacks the same day, Israel also targeted a food distribution site, a chiller facility, and even Al-Aqsa Hospital, bringing Monday’s total death toll in Gaza to 95.

Over 56,531 people have been killed, the majority being women and children, while 133,642 civilians have been injured. According to Palestinian authorities in Gaza, nearly 11,000 bodies are still trapped under rubble.