Ismail Abu Hatab Becomes The 186th Palestinian Journalist Killed By Israeli Army With Cafe Explosion In Gaza

Journalists wear helmets and vests that read 'Press' while covering the conflict area. (Unsplash-Egin Akyurt)

JAKARTA - At least 30 people were killed in the bombing carried out by Israeli IDF soldiers against one of the beach cafes in Gaza, Palestine.

The Al-Baqa cafe in Gaza City, which is being filled with women, children and journalists, was bombed by one Israeli airstrike on Monday local time.

"Without warning, suddenly, a fighter plane hit the spot, shaking it like an earthquake," said Ali Abu Ateila, who was inside the cafe at the time of the incident, quoted from AP, Tuesday, July 1.

Head of emergency services and ambulances from the Ministry of Health in northern Gaza, Fares Awad, said the airstrike left 30 people dead and dozens injured.

Citing Metro UK, Tuesday July 1, the cafe targeted by the IDF army bomb is one of the few places to eat that are still operating during the 20-month Israeli military aggression in Gaza.

The cafe also serves as a gathering place for Gazans seeking internet access and a place to charge their phones amid the absence.

Video circulating on social media shows bodies covered in blood injured lying on the ground. While the injured were evacuated simply covered in blankets.

One of the victims killed in Israeli airstrikes targeted this cafe in Gaza is a journalist named Ismail Abu Hatab, a photo reporter who was previously injured while covering Israeli aggression in Gaza in 2023.

Hatab has been the 186th Palestinian journalist to be killed by the Israeli military since Israel launched its aggression against Gaza 27 October 2023.

The Journalist Protection Committee also noted that 86 other Palestinian journalists were imprisoned by the Israeli army.

Following this incident, Israeli airstrikes continued in northern Gaza, targeting at least four schools.