Tragedy Strikes Gaza City as Airstrike Hits Popular Restaurant

In a scene of chaos and despair, an Israeli airstrike targeted a busy restaurant in Gaza City, resulting in 33 deaths and over 150 injuries. This tragic incident reflects the ongoing conflict and the impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.

In a poignant moment captured in Gaza City, an airstrike shattered the tranquility of a bustling restaurant in the Rimal neighborhood. Just hours before the assault, patrons indulged in slices of pizza and crepes while taking advantage of the café's Wi-Fi. Yet, in the blink of an eye, this vibrant locale turned into a site of devastation.

On May 9, 2025, an Israeli airstrike struck the restaurant in the midst of the ongoing conflict, leading to a grim toll of 33 fatalities and at least 155 injuries, according to local health authorities. Eyewitnesses, like Ahmed al-Saoudi, expressed utter despair at the resurgence of violence, pleading, “Enough of the bloodshed happening.”

As smoke and dust filled the air, those who survived raced to assist the wounded. One woman, captured in harrowing photographs, was seen being carried away toward a hospital, which struggled to accommodate the influx of casualties. The day’s death toll rose to 59 across the Gaza Strip, with the local health ministry noting that these numbers lacked differentiation between combatants and non-combatants.

In its defense, the Israeli military asserted that the attack targeted “two key Hamas terrorists” and emphasized the measures taken to minimize civilian casualties. However, community members were left grappling with the consequences of such operations, the shadows of past conflicts lingering in their neighborhood.

As the dust settled, the scars of past hostilities were visible. The restaurant, which had once lit up during moments of peace with vibrant decorations, now stood as a haunting reminder of the fragility of that calm. The escalating violence that followed the breakdown of a cease-fire in March 2025 has left many questioning the future amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.