According to a report by The New York Times on August 18th, the Israeli military launched a deadly air strike against a seaside cafe in Gaza City. The day before this attack, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner had just returned from a visit to Israel, attempting to revive America’s peace plans in the region.
The military attack this time targeted a seaside café called “Sweet and Bitter” in Gaza port.
Local journalist Faysal Kreika was in the port area at that time. He said he 'heard an explosion as soon as he got off the vehicle'. He stated that the area was crowded as usual, and he witnessed casualties being 'blown into the sea by the explosion'.
Another witness, Muhammad Al-Guir, said in an interview with AFP: “Israeli fighter jets fired two missiles at the cafes in the fishermen’s port.”
According to Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmia, the director of Al-Hifzah Hospital, the air strike caused at least seven deaths, including one child, and 14 people were injured. Several of the victims are in critical condition, and medical staff are ‘efforts to save their lives’.
Palestians mourn their loved ones at Al-Hifza Hospital in Gaza City. Image from The New York Times.
On the day before the incident, Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, attempting to advance Trump’s 15-point plan. The US side claims that the plan aims to disarm Hamas, restore peace in Gaza, and begin the reconstruction of this war-torn land.
Last month, Trump announced that his Peace Committee had reached a disarmament agreement with Hamas, which also requires Israel to immediately cease its attacks.
Immediately after Trump announced an agreement with Hamas, Netanyahu rejected it. According to former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, his forces "would not withdraw before Hamas disarms."
Israeli military considered this attack a successful operation. They stated that the airstrike “targeted Hamas members who were planning to attack Israeli troops in northern Gaza, and measures were taken to minimize damage to civilians.”
According to local media reports, the Israeli Army Radio stated: "We intercepted four Hamas commanders gathered in a café in Gaza. One of them was a company commander, and the other three were squad leaders."
On the same day, Israeli Defense Minister Isralel Katz stated that this attack proved Israel's "unwavering stance."
Katz wrote on social media: "We will eliminate threats, destroy terrorists, and make those who carry out any attacks in Israel on October 7th pay the price."
He continued, "This is the way the Israeli military operates today. We will continue to act with force in order to protect our soldiers and ensure peace and security."
In July 2026, Katz called for the destruction of another refugee camp on the West Bank and the expulsion of its residents. Hamas at that time condemned his statements as “fascist terrorist rhetoric”.
Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim, Doctor, described the attacks as “betrayal and abandonment.” In a statement, he claimed that the peace commission was "responsible for the ongoing killings," and that portions of their statements might be interpreted to "allow further bloodshed."
