A new Israeli military airstrike hit a coastal café in the Gaza Strip on Monday night, killing at least 41 people and injuring dozens more. The attack took place in the Al-Mawasi area, southwest of Rafah, an area that, until recently, had been designated as “safe” by Israeli forces.
Witnesses reported that the café was full of civilians, many of whom had been displaced by earlier fighting. Images from the scene show total devastation, with bodies among the rubble and rescue teams searching for possible survivors.
This strike adds to a long series of bombings in the region that have killed thousands since the conflict began. Humanitarian organizations have expressed deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties, amid growing international calls for an immediate ceasefire.
Why was an area considered safe by Israel targeted?
According to statements from the Israeli army, the airstrike was aimed at an alleged group of Hamas fighters believed, based on intelligence reports, to be hiding in the area. However, no concrete evidence has yet been presented to support this claim.
Meanwhile, the international community continues to demand independent investigations and stronger measures to protect civilians in Gaza.
