At least six killed in IDF strike on Gaza City cafe targeting Hamas commanders

Several Hamas terrorists were targeted in an airstrike in northern Gaza City on Tuesday, the IDF announced.

In the statement, the IDF said that it targeted Hamas commanders in the Shati area and that the terrorists were planning to carry out attacks against Israeli troops.

"We targeted four terrorists in Gaza - Hamas commanders who gathered at the cafe. One of them is a company commander, and three others are platoon commanders," a security official told Army Radio.

Notably, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry told Reuters that six people were killed in the airstrike near the fishing seaport in western Gaza City.

Army Radio reported that six people were killed, with an additional 10 wounded in the strike, which they say occurred at a cafe on the Gaza City coast.

Recent restrictions on strikes in Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently gave in to US pressure by demanding that strikes be restricted in Gaza via a new policy that requires them to receive approval from IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Col. Eyal Zamir.

This comes with the exception set by the prime minister for immediate threats to IDF soldiers or Gaza border communities, in which case IDF troops are authorized to act to remove the threat.

"Israel's policy in Gaza, as clarified to the IDF by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is clear: Remove threats, eliminate terrorists, and exact retribution from anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre," said Defense Minister Israel Katz in a post on X/Twitter.

He continued, "This is how the IDF acted today in eliminating Hamas terrorists, and this is how it will continue to act with force to protect our soldiers and ensure quiet in the southern settlements - from the security zone."