Israeli forces have stated they killed the commander of Hamas’s naval forces in northern Gaza in a strike targeting a seaside café, an incident that resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians.
Following the attack on the al-Baqa café in Gaza City on Monday, family members both in Gaza and abroad expressed their shock to the BBC regarding the high number of civilian casualties.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the deceased as Ramzi Ramadan Abd Ali Saleh, along with Hisham Ayman Atiya Mansour, deputy head of Hamas’s mortar unit, and Nissim Muhammad Suleiman Abu Sabha.
According to the IDF, Saleh possessed “significant knowledge” within Hamas and was involved in the planning and execution of “maritime terrorist attacks.”
Sources within Gaza had previously informed the BBC of rumors that a high-ranking Hamas commander was present at the café during the time of the strike.
The IDF also stated that measures were taken “to mitigate the risk of harming civilians,” but did not elaborate on the circumstances that led to the extensive loss of life.
The BBC has reviewed the names of 29 individuals reportedly killed in the café strike, with at least nine identified as women and several others as children and teenagers.
The deceased included artists, students, social activists, a female boxer, a footballer, and café staff members.
Staff at Shifa Hospital, where the bodies from the attack were taken, reported on Thursday that the death toll had reached 40, including those who succumbed to their injuries and unidentified individuals.
A hospital official stated that some of the bodies were “blown to pieces” and that 72 injured patients were admitted, many suffering from severe burns and other significant injuries requiring surgical intervention.
The al-Baqa Cafeteria was widely known throughout the Gaza Strip and considered by many to be one of the most picturesque and lively gathering places in the territory.
It remained a popular destination even during the conflict, particularly due to its unusually reliable internet connection.
The IDF did not directly address repeated inquiries from the BBC regarding whether it considered the number of civilian casualties to be proportionate.
In its Sunday statement, the IDF stated it would “continue to operate against the Hamas terrorist organization in order to remove any threat posed to Israeli civilians” and that the “incident” was “under review.”
Meanwhile, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas commenced in Qatar on Sunday to discuss the latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.
The Israeli military initiated its campaign in Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023, attack, in which approximately 1,200 individuals were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory, at least 57,338 people have been killed in Gaza since then.
Hamas has indicated a positive response to the latest ceasefire proposal, but acknowledges that disagreements remain.
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