Before the war, a restaurant in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City specialized in Thai cuisine, relying on ingredients that were once available in northern Gaza.
On Wednesday, the restaurant became the site of the deadliest strike in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of thirty-three individuals and injuring 155, according to the local health ministry.
A witness reported being across the street at the time of the strike, describing the chaotic scene filled with noise, smoke, and dust. Efforts to assist the wounded were underway, with one injured woman being transported to a hospital shortly after the incident.
The health ministry indicated that at least one hospital was overwhelmed by the number of casualties, contributing to a total death toll of 59 across the enclave for that day. The ministry's figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
In response to inquiries about the attack's target, the Israeli military stated that its forces had "struck two key Hamas terrorists" in the Gaza City area. The military claimed that measures were taken to minimize civilian harm, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.
The Israeli military acknowledged awareness of the reported casualties. These strikes followed the breakdown of a cease-fire in March, which was disrupted by Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The military has indicated that it is intensifying operations in Gaza to compel Hamas to release remaining hostages taken during that attack.
Witnesses outside the cafe expressed their despair over the resurgence of violence, with one individual, Ahmed al-Saoudi, stating, "Enough, enough of the bloodshed happening."