Gaza Strip: Israeli forces carried out a series of intense bombardments across the Gaza Strip on Monday, July 1, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least 95 Palestinians and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. The attacks targeted a bustling seaside cafe, a school sheltering displaced families, and food distribution sites, in addition to a hospital that sustained an attack.
At least 62 of Monday’s victims were concentrated in Gaza City and the northern part of the territory. Among the deadliest incidents was an Israeli strike on the Al-Baqa Cafeteria, a popular seaside cafe in northern Gaza City, which killed at least 39 people. Witnesses reported that Israeli fighter jets carried out the strike without warning on the crowded establishment, which included women and children. The bombing flattened the cafe, leaving a massive crater in its wake. Among the deceased was journalist Ismail Abu Hatab.
Also on Monday, Israeli forces bombed the Yafa School in Gaza City, which was providing shelter to hundreds of displaced Palestinians. Reports indicate that at least four schools sheltering displaced Palestinians were hit after evacuation warnings were issued, with three in the Zeitoun neighborhood and one in al-Tuffah.
Further reports indicate that Israeli forces attacked a food distribution warehouse in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, killing at least 13 people attempting to collect rations. In southern Gaza, at least 15 Palestinians were killed while waiting for food at aid distribution hubs run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in Khan Younis, with another 50 wounded. This marks the latest in a series of deadly incidents at aid distribution sites, which have claimed nearly 600 Palestinian lives since the GHF began limited aid deliveries in late May amid an ongoing Israeli blockade.
The courtyard of Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir el-Balah was also attacked, where thousands of families had sought shelter, causing injuries and material damage. Gaza’s Government Media Office decried the attack, calling it a “systematic crime” against the Palestinian enclave’s health system.
The attacks come as the Gaza Strip continues to face a dire humanitarian crisis. Over 80% of Gaza is now an Israeli-militarized zone or under forced displacement threats, according to the United Nations. More than 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced since the conflict began in October 2023, with many experiencing multiple displacements. The UN also estimates that 82.6% of the Gaza Strip is within the Israeli-militarized zone or under displacement orders. Medical services remain severely challenged due to extensive damage to facilities, obstacles to movement, and restrictions on medical supplies and fuel.
