An Israeli strike devastated a popular café along Gaza’s seafront and killed at least twenty Palestinians, say witnesses and rescue teams. The strike struck during peak hours, causing immediate chaos as patrons and nearby residents scrambled for cover.

Rescuers rushed to the scene. They recovered more than twenty bodies and treated dozens of wounded civilians in makeshift triage zones. Medics stabilized injured people on-site before transferring severe cases to hospitals. Eyewitnesses heard a thunderous blast and saw smoke rising above the beachfront tents.

A witness described the scene: “We heard a massive boom and then saw lifeless bodies on the sand.” Another rescuer added, “We pulled children and elders from the rubble; their cries still echo inside me.”

Gaza’s civil defense teams condemned the attack. They said they responded within minutes and worked through the night to recover victims. Local authorities called for an immediate pause in strikes near civilian zones.

Analysts criticized the targeting of a civilian gathering spot. They argued this attack undermined humanitarian norms and demanded accountability. They emphasized that cafés and beachfronts remain public spaces, not military targets.

Families held impromptu mournings on the beach. They lit candles and recited prayers as relief workers carried bodies. A grieving relative said, “This place offered peace once; now it carries a silent horror.”

The international community voiced concern. They urged stronger protection for civilians and called on both sides to respect international law. Gaza remains tense as residents fear another strike in public spaces.