Al-Baqa was a sanctuary amid the genocide. Now it lies in ruins

For over two decades, Al-Baqa Cafe was a cherished seaside refuge in western Gaza City, a place for family and friends to meet or those seeking a quiet space to rest or do some work. The cafe’s simple two-level wooden structure, with open balconies shaded by umbrellas, overlooked the Mediterranean Sea, and its owners kept prices low to remain affordable to the community.

Al-Baqa was one of the few businesses in Gaza that managed to stay open despite the war. It…