The IDF carried out an airstrike Tuesday evening targeting several Hamas commanders in the Shati area of northern Gaza, saying the terrorists were planning attacks against Israeli troops operating in the Strip.

The strike targeted the “Bitter and Sweet” cafe inside the Gaza City port complex. Palestinian reports said at least six people were killed and 10 others wounded in the strike.

An Israeli security official said the target was a meeting of four Hamas terrorists at the cafe, all of whom held command positions in the terror organization. The group reportedly included a company commander and three platoon commanders.

The IDF said the strike was carried out to eliminate what it described as an immediate threat to Israeli forces.

“The terrorists planned to carry out terror attacks against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF said. “The terrorists were struck from the air in order to remove the threat to the troops.”

Palestinian reports claimed the impact at the cafe was powerful and that some of those killed were thrown into the sea by the blast. There was no Israeli confirmation of those claims.

The IDF said Southern Command forces remain deployed throughout Gaza in accordance with the agreement and will continue acting against immediate threats to Israeli troops.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)