Palestinians inspecting the site of an Israeli airstrike on the al-Baqa café, located by the sea in Gaza City, on June 30, 2025. (Credit: Reuters)
The place seemed peaceful, like a haven in the midst of the chaos that has persisted for nearly 21 months. The seaside café al-Baqa, located in the north of the Palestinian enclave in Gaza City, was known for its proximity to the beach and its colorful umbrellas. Inspired by the poetry of the place, Palestinian director and photographer Ismail Abu Hatab was a regular visitor, as were many intellectuals. He liked to document the sunsets that merged into the smoke of the bombings. On the artist's Instagram account, his photo exhibition project to highlight the exile of Palestinians was omnipresent. Called "Between the Sea and the Sky," it featured the Gaza coastline he loved so much, using the al-Baqa café as a window to freedom.But since Monday, June 30, al-Baqa is no more. In the morning, an Israeli strike destroyed the...
The place seemed peaceful, like a haven in the midst of the chaos that has persisted for nearly 21 months. The seaside café al-Baqa, located in the north of the Palestinian enclave in Gaza City, was known for its proximity to the beach and its colorful umbrellas. Inspired by the poetry of the place, Palestinian director and photographer Ismail Abu Hatab was a regular visitor, as were many intellectuals. He liked to document the sunsets that merged into the smoke of the bombings. On the artist's Instagram account, his photo exhibition project to highlight the exile of Palestinians was omnipresent. Called "Between the Sea and the Sky," it featured the Gaza coastline he loved so much, using the al-Baqa café as a window to freedom.But since Monday, June 30, al-Baqa is no more. In the morning, an Israeli strike destroyed the...
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