Deadly Day in Gaza: Strikes and Shootings Leave Many Dead

In Gaza, a tragic day unfolded with Israeli forces responsible for the deaths of at least 74 people. The violence began with an airstrike on a popular seaside cafe, Al-Baqa Cafe, in Gaza City. The cafe, one of the few still open during the ongoing conflict, was packed with women and children. Witnesses reported that the strike hit without warning, causing devastation and leaving at least 30 people dead and many others injured. Elsewhere in Gaza City, two more airstrikes claimed the lives of 15 people on a street and six more near the town of Zawaida. The attacks left communities in shock and hospitals overwhelmed with casualties. Meanwhile, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians seeking food aid in southern Gaza. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people were shot while returning from an aid site. At least 11 people were killed in these shootings, with reports of indiscriminate gunfire. The attacks occurred near aid distribution hubs, where Palestinians often travel long distances in hopes of receiving much-needed supplies. The violence extended to a United Nations aid warehouse in northern Gaza, where ten more people were killed. Witnesses and survivors shared harrowing accounts of being targeted by artillery and troops in tanks. They described warning shots fired before the troops opened fire on the crowds, leaving many injured and some detained, including children. The Israeli military has stated it is reviewing the incidents and has previously claimed that it only targets militants. However, the high civilian death toll raises serious questions about the conduct of these operations. The conflict has already claimed over 56, 000 Palestinian lives, with more than half being women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The war, which began with a Hamas attack in October 2023, has left deep scars on both sides. The ongoing violence and the struggle for basic necessities like food and aid continue to fuel the cycle of suffering in Gaza.