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The Intercept
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Intercept
"I Said Good Morning to the Dead": Inside the Al-Baqa Cafe Bombing
On the evening of June 30, an Israeli warplane dropped a 500-pound, U.S.-made MK-82 bomb on the seaside Al-Baqa Cafe in Gaza City. The explosion killed more than 30 people and injured dozens more. The weapon's wide blast radius in the dense neighborhood caused indiscriminate damage, affecting unprotected civilians including men, women, children, and the elderly. Legal experts have said the attack likely violated international law under the Geneva Conventions and may constitute a war crime. As the war grinds on, cafes like Al-Baqa aren't just social spaces; for many, they are the only places to access electricity and the internet, which are often unavailable in people's homes due to the ongoing blockade and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. The people killed were students, workers, journalists, and displaced civilians, all clinging to a sense of normalcy, waiting for news of a possible ceasefire. Each had a name, a story, a struggle for survival in the face of a war that spares no one. For the dead, the ceasefire will never come. Here are some of their stories. Ola Abed Rabbu and Naseem Sabha. Photo: Courtsey Ola Abed Rabbu Ola Abed Rabbu, a 23-year-old engineer, had recently gotten engaged to Naseem Sabha, 28 — a man who, in her words, 'chose to accompany me through the war, to ease my pain and bring light into my darkness.' That evening, like always on their weekly excursions together, Naseem sat beside her, radiant with joy. 'He was like a child reunited with Eid after a long absence,' Ola recalled. He took photos of them together, his heart brimming with happiness as he whispered to her how beautiful she was — and how beautiful they were. 'He never saw anything in this world more worthy of celebration than us.' They ordered coffee and falafel sandwiches, laughing between sips and bites, she said. The cafe buzzed with activity — people reading, charging phones, attending online classes, catching a flicker of normalcy. Time passed quickly, as it always did during rare peaceful moments in Gaza. But even their long list of postponed conversations would have needed 'two lifetimes' to complete. 'He held my hand tightly on the way, like it was his last homeland,' Ola said. 'And whenever we had to speak of death, he would always tell me calmly: 'Don't be afraid. Don't be sad. As long as we are together, if we go … we go together.'' But there was no warning. No siren. Only a sudden explosion. The cafe turned into rubble and dust. Screams faded into silence — broken only by Naseem's pained whisper: 'Ah … ah …' They collapsed. Ola's leg was torn and bleeding. She wrapped it with a cloth from the table and crawled toward Naseem. 'Please be okay. Don't leave me. Stay alive,' she begged him. Blood poured from his back, but she clung to the hope that he had only lost consciousness. He was rushed to the ambulance first. Ola, despite her injuries, followed in the next. She arrived at the hospital unable to walk, her foot ligaments severed. 'They told me he had a metal rod placed in his leg, then moved him to another ward,' she recounted. As her treatment began, Ola asked her father in desperation, 'Is Naseem okay? Please, tell me he's alright.' His voice trembled: 'I don't know. He's in the ICU. … We're not allowed to see him.' The silence around her grew heavier. Hours passed. Eventually, her cousin arrived and placed a hand on her shoulder. 'Has he been martyred?' Ola asked. Tears filled her cousin's eyes as she nodded. 'Yes … we brought him to you … to say goodbye.' She saw his body, peaceful and luminous — 'more beautiful than the full moon,' she whispered. 'His face was calm, as if he hadn't felt any pain, his spirit still hovering near him.' With quiet faith, Ola bid him farewell: 'O Allah, reward me in this great loss, and grant me better than him. I testify that he was worthy of martyrdom. I have never known a heart more tender, a soul more pure, or a love more merciful and kind. I entrust him to You, my Lord … until I meet him again.' Read our complete coverage Raghad Abu Sultan Photo: Courtesy Aseel Balaawi Haya Jouda, 23, speaks of her cousin Mona, 21, as a sister. 'We grew up together — all my memories have her in them,' she said. Mona and her friend Raghad Abu Sultan, 21, had gone to the cafeteria simply to breathe. Mona was known in the family as the youngest and most adored; she had a spirited presence and a generous heart. 'She was the baby of the family. Everyone called her 'Bobo.' Even her older brothers spoiled her,' Haya told The Intercept. Mona studied engineering at Al-Azhar University and was fluent in English. Despite the war, she continued volunteering with organizations that supported orphans, and later, during the siege, worked with the charity group Fares Al-Arab. 'She loved helping people. She hated sitting still,' Haya said. When their home was destroyed in November 2023, the extended family fled together to Deir al-Balah, sharing a single room for six months. Haya eventually managed to evacuate to Egypt, but Mona couldn't — even though she had packed first, full of hope her name would be called. 'She hugged me the day I left and cried,' Haya recalled. 'She said she'd follow me soon. She even packed her bag.' The Rafah crossing closed, and Mona remained in Gaza. Despite everything, she stayed strong for others. 'She was the one comforting me,' said Haya. 'Telling me things would be okay — even though she was the one under bombs.' When the first ceasefire took effect in February 2025, Mona returned with her family to their destroyed apartment in the north. 'She was so happy to be home, even if the house was bombed,' Haya said. 'She told me, 'At least I'm in my house. That's what matters.'' On the day of the cafe strike, Mona had gone out with her friend Raghad — a rare attempt at normalcy. When news broke of the bombing, the family didn't even realize Mona had been there. Her father searched for her frantically. 'He said, 'We're okay — but I can't find Mona.' We thought she had just stepped out or gone to the bathroom.' When Raghad's name appeared on the list of the dead, everything changed. 'We knew,' Haya said. 'They were always together. We just didn't want to believe it.' Later that evening, the final confirmation came. Mona had been killed. 'Her mother saw her body, bid farewell and cried, 'Mona's gone. Her soul is gone.' The phone dropped from her hand.' The news shattered the family, now scattered across different countries. 'None of us were with her. None of us got to say goodbye. She died without us.' Haya still struggles with the reality of her cousin's death. 'She was the funny one. The one who got the joke first. She had this lightness about her,' she said. 'And now she's just … gone. Killed in a war she didn't choose, while trying to live.' 'She wasn't a number,' Haya added. 'The world won't wake up just because Mona is gone — but there are so many like her. So many families were destroyed. And we're still counting.' For Aseel Balaawi, 21, now living in Egypt, the loss struck from a painful distance. Raghad was her classmate since sixth grade — a source of ambition and quiet strength. Both were studying pharmacy, dreaming of leaving a mark on their homeland. 'Most of our conversations were about our major, since we were both in the Faculty of Pharmacy. We always used to talk about how we could leave a mark for Palestine,' Aseel said. Aseel didn't know Raghad and her best friend Mona were there at Al-Baqa Cafe at the time it was hit by an Israeli airstrike. 'When I saw a story from my colleague on Instagram saying 'pray for Raghad,' I thought — it can't be true. But unfortunately it was.' The disbelief morphed into a crushing realization. 'The idea that someone with so much life and passion as Raghad could be gone — it broke my heart,' Aseel said. 'To this day, I can't get over Raghad's killing. I write about her in my journals, so I can keep her memory alive.' Amna Al-Salmi Photo: Courtsey Mariam Salah Mariam Salah, 30, knew Amna Al-Salmi, 36 — a fellow digital artist known to many by her childhood nickname 'Frans' — through her work in Gaza. Mariam remembers Frans as a quiet force of ambition, talent, and discipline. They both lived in Al-Shati refugee camp. 'She wasn't just a good artist,' Mariam recalled. 'She was a dreamer. Always talking about traveling, building a career, and leaving her art supplies to her sisters if she ever got the chance to go.' Frans worked in digital art and had recently been collaborating on a visual storytelling project called ByPal with the journalist Ismail Abu Hatab, 30, who was killed with Frans. The project sought to document personal stories through illustration — a form of collective resistance and memory-making. Mariam believes that work is what brought Frans and Ismail to the cafe on the day of the strike. Mariam and Frans had met just a week or two earlier, when they painted together at a public event that included a mural titled 'Honoring the Donkey,' a satirical piece. 'That might have been her last public work,' Mariam said. 'We took a group photo. I hugged her in it. I remember complimenting her eyelashes — they were so long. It was just a small moment, but now it feels enormous.' When the bombing hit the cafe, Mariam was at home. It was her sister who called, asking urgently if she had been there, knowing that many artists — including Ismail and Frans — had been frequenting the place. 'I opened my phone and the first name I saw was Ismail's. The sight of him broke me,' Mariam said. 'And I immediately thought — if he was there, she was too.' Mariam tried calling Frans. No answer. Someone eventually picked up her number, found in her lost SIM card, and confirmed what she feared: Frans was killed. 'He didn't even know her,' she said. 'Just someone who'd been at the scene.' Though Mariam had lost many people in the war — including her 4-year-old nephew Ahmed, who had been like a son — Frans's death struck a different kind of blow. 'There was something about her,' Mariam said. 'She was calm, beautiful, composed. Even in the worst circumstances, she'd show up dressed well, taking care of herself, holding on to whatever color she could find in this black-and-white world. Her killing reminded me of Mahasen Al-Khateeb, our mutual artist friend who was killed months ago.' Frans had posted only days earlier about how much she missed painting. Her last artworks included children in shrouds — images that now feel eerily like foreshadowing. 'She held on to everything good until the last moment,' Mariam reflected. 'She had so much hope. She didn't like sharing her pain. But she carried a lot — and she never let it take her light.' Mohammed Naeedm Photo: Courtesy Mohaemmed Naeem Survivor Mohammad Naeem, 23, a law graduate from Beit Hanoun, was inside Al-Baqa that day. That afternoon, Mohammad sat at his favorite table along with his friend, poised to capture the Gaza sunset and enjoy the beauty of the sea. His friend broke his concentration by pointing to a naval warship on the horizon and asked, 'Do you think it knows we're just innocent people trying to live?' Before Mohammad could finish his answer, a force that felt like it was ripping his soul out of his body pulled him five meters away. 'In that moment, all sounds vanished — there was nothing left but one steady, fixed sound, like the static hum of a lost TV signal,' he continued. 'I hit the ground, and all emotions disappeared. Even fear — I didn't feel it. I couldn't process what had just happened to react emotionally. All I could see was a single scene, playing out in slow motion.' 'I tried to get up,' he said. 'But I wasn't even aware I was injured. I just saw my friend's leg — barely attached — and I carried him. I had to.' Only later, after he had delivered his friend to an ambulance and collapsed himself, did he realize he was wounded too. Mohammad's physical recovery is ongoing, but the psychological wounds cut deeper. 'After this, I no longer feel safe anywhere,' he said. 'Before, I used to tell myself, 'Don't worry, you avoid risky places.' But now … nowhere feels safe, even the sea.' The aftermath of Israel's attack on the Al-Baqa cafe on June 30, 2025. Photo: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images On the morning of June 30, journalist Bayan Abusultan went to the cafe. 'I went for a moment of fake peace,' she recalled. 'To breathe. To feel normal, even if just for an hour.' She exchanged greetings with the staff and familiar faces, including Frans and Ismail Abu Hatab, who were filming a segment for an upcoming exhibition. The cafe buzzed with life. Three young women sat nearby, exchanging quiet smiles and compliments. Across from Bayan sat two girls in their early twenties with a giant gift-wrapped teddy bear beside them — a peace offering to reconcile after a recent argument. They had just made up. Bayan flipped open her book, a literary critique by Abd el-Rahman Munif, reading about the power of cultural memory, the legacy of writers like Ghassan Kanafani, and the weight of identity under occupation. It was nearly 2:45 p.m. when her friend Mohammed Abu Shammala arrived. They hadn't seen each other for two months, and she closed her book to talk. She pointed toward the sea. 'The warships are really close today,' she said. But they brushed it off. In Gaza, everything can seem routine — until it isn't. When the sudden blast ripped through the cafe, Bayan was thrown to the ground. She crawled under a table for cover, and her friend Mohammed shielded her from the shrapnel. When she lifted her head, she saw a severed leg, a young woman dying beside her, and her friends Frans and Ismail lifeless at the table where they had just been smiling. The familiar cafe had become a war zone. Disoriented and injured, Bayan stumbled through the debris, searching for her phone to call an ambulance. Only when someone pointed out the blood on her head did she realize she had been wounded. She was led toward emergency responders. Each step became heavier, not because of her wounds, but because of what she saw: bodies of people she had said 'good morning' to just hours earlier. She felt the helplessness of someone who couldn't save the ones they love.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Time of India
Youth arrested for duping luxury travellers with fake hotel booking websites
New Delhi: Police have busted a sophisticated hotel booking scam that targeted unsuspecting travellers looking for luxury vacations. The mastermind, 25-year-old Sharukh Khan from Nuh, Haryana, created fake hotel websites to swindle victims out of their money. According to police, Khan's modus operandi was deceptively simple but highly effective. He designed counterfeit websites mimicking renowned hotels, complete with realistic images, branding, and enticing offers. One such website— a fake version of the official site of Hotel Lalit Golf & Spa Resort in Goa, police said. Khan promoted these sites online, baiting potential victims with attractive discounts. Once someone attempted to book, he posed as a hotel representative and convinced them to transfer money for reservations. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi But the scam didn't stop there. Khan also used forged emails and messages that appeared authentic, complete with copied logos and professional language. "To add credibility, he accepted payments via UPI QR codes, making the transactions appear legitimate. After receiving the money, he would cut off all contact, leaving victims without bookings or refunds," said a senior police officer. One such victim was a man who had booked a room at the Hotel Lalit Golf & Spa Resort in Goa, only to realise later that he had been duped of Rs 33,000. The man immediately reported the matter to police, who quickly launched an investigation. Following a trail of digital footprints and financial transactions, officers gathered enough evidence to arrest Khan. Police found that the defrauded money had been routed through a merchant bank account, and the fraudulent website had been registered using fake credentials. "The team, led by Inspector Pravesh Kaushik, worked tirelessly to track down Khan, using technical surveillance and digital analysis to identify his location. Finally, after several raids, Khan was arrested in Mewat, Haryana, and two mobile phones used in the crime were recovered from his possession," said DCP (southwest) Amit Goel. As the police dug deeper, they discovered that Khan had been operating alone, but had arranged the fake websites through a co-accused, Naseem. Efforts are now being made to apprehend Naseem, police said.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
Dozens hurt after diesel container explodes at Muharram procession in H'bag
Hazaribag: More than two dozen people, including 17 women and two children, were injured after a diesel container exploded during a Muharram procession at Turao village under Pauta panchayat in Churchu block late on Sunday night. Five of the injured women, who received burn and shrapnel injuries, were referred to Ranchi's Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims). Villagers were witnessing a Muharram procession late in the night in their village. A group of young men were performing stunts using a burning tyre. "While they were pouring diesel from a container, the container caught fire from a burning tyre and exploded," the locals of Turao told TOI on Monday. Six members of the family of Naseem, a local ward member, were injured as the accident took place outside his home, the locals claimed. The injured were taken to the Sheikha Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital around 10:30 pm, an hour after the incident. "More than a dozen people were admitted with severe burn injuries late on Sunday night. Five women were critical and admitted to the ICU. Then, they were referred to Rims in Ranchi," Dr A K Purti, medical superintendent of the hospital, said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dores nos nervos e neuropatia? Esse truque está surpreendendo. A arte do herbalismo Undo "Nearly a dozen was released from the hospital on Monday afternoon after they requested," he added. "None from the Mufassil police station has visited the village so far," the locals said. Deputy commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh said he was unaware of the incident. "Muharram passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported," he said.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
She left IIT for Bollywood dreams then joined Google: Ajay Devgn and Mahesh Babu were once her co-stars
Mayoori Kango 's entry into the film industry in the mid-1990s marked the beginning of a brief yet memorable stint in Bollywood. Born in Aurangabad to a theatre artist mother and a politician father, Mayoori was drawn to performance early on. She was discovered by director Saeed Akhtar Mirza during a trip to Mumbai with her mother and was offered a role in the critically acclaimed film Naseem (1995). Initially hesitant due to her board exams, she eventually accepted the role. Her performance caught the attention of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who cast her in Papa Kehte Hai (1996). Though the film did not achieve commercial success, Mayoori's portrayal received considerable appreciation. Over the next few years, she appeared in multiple Hindi films including Betaabi (1997), Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999) with Ajay Devgn and Arshad Warsi, Baadal (2000) alongside Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji, and Shikari (2000) with Govinda and Tabu. She also ventured into regional cinema with the Telugu film Vamsi (2000), co-starring Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar. Despite appearing in approximately 16 films, many of Mayoori's projects either failed at the box office or remained unreleased. Following this, she transitioned to television, featuring in shows like Dollar Bahu (2001), Thoda Gham Thodi Khushi, and Karishma: The Miracles of Destiny (2003), where she played Karisma Kapoor's daughter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Charlie Sheen's Ex-Wife? You Won't Believe What She Looks Like Now! Click Here Leaving Films Behind By 2003, Mayoori stepped away from the entertainment world entirely. That same year, she married NRI businessman Aditya Dhillon and moved to New York. Her decision to quit acting came at a time when her career had not translated into consistent success. Interestingly, prior to entering films, she had cleared the entrance exam for IIT Kanpur but had turned it down to pursue acting. Once in the U.S., she chose to redirect her career. Between 2005 and 2007, she completed her MBA in Marketing and Finance at Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business in New York City. Building a Corporate Career Her corporate journey began in 2007 when she joined the digital agency 360i as an Associate Media Manager. Two years later, she moved to Resolution Media in New York, and subsequently joined Digitas as Associate Director (Media) from 2010 to 2012. Returning to India in 2012, Mayoori continued her professional growth in digital marketing. She joined Zenith as Chief Digital Officer and served there for five years. In 2016, she became Managing Director at Performics, a performance marketing agency under the Publicis Groupe. In 2019, she made a significant leap by joining Google India. Initially working as the Head of Industry – Agency Partnership, she handled key responsibilities in media innovation and client relations. As per her LinkedIn profile, she is currently leading Google India 's AI, Martech, and Media Solutions @MPT as the Industry Head. Mayoori Kango's journey is a testament to professional reinvention . From a young actress admired for her role in Papa Kehte Hai to a senior leader at one of the world's most influential tech companies, her story reflects resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering focus on growth. Now settled in India with her family, Mayoori keeps a low profile away from the limelight. Describing herself as a "passionate marketer" on LinkedIn, she emphasizes her love for digital media and continuous learning.
Mint
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
THIS Bollywood actress quit films after working with Ajay Devgn, Bobby Deol and Mahesh Babu, joined Google
90s and early 200s saw an influx of actors in Bollywood. While some rose to fame, touched incredible heights, others simply left despite making a mark. One such name is this 90s actress who left her IIT opportunity to join the film industry. However, years later, she silently left films and joined the corporate world. It is actress Mayoori Kango. Mayoori Kango is best known as the Ghar Se Nikalte Hi, Kuch Door Chalte Hi girl. Mayuri began her acting career with the critically acclaimed film Naseem in 1995, but true recognition came with Papa Kehte Hain (1996) and Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999). Despite appearing in around 16 films, she was reportedly a part of many other projects which never saw a theatrical release. She starred in films like Betabi (1997) with Arshad Warsi, Chandrachur Singh, Anjala Zaveri, Baadal (2000) with Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji, Jung, Jeetenge Hum (2001) with Arbaaz Khan, and Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet, with Ajay Devgan. She was a part of Shikari (2000), starring Govinda, Tabu and Karisma Kapoor. She also starred in the Telugu film Vamsi (2000), alongside Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar. Interestingly, Mayuri was selected for admission to IIT Kanpur during her academic years, but she chose to pursue a career in films instead. While she did have a few notable roles, commercial success remained limited throughout her acting career. After her slow stint in films, Mayuri Kango made her television debut, appearing in shows like Dollar Bahu (2001), Nargis, Thoda Gham Thodi Khushi, and Karishma: The Miracles of Destiny (2003), where she essayed the role of Karisma Kapoor's daughter. Sometime after her acting career saw limited success, Mayuri silently stepped away from the limelight. In December 2003, she married NRI Aditya Dhillon in her hometown of Aurangabad. The two met through a mutual friend at a party. The couple later moved to New York, and in 2011, they welcomed their son. Mayuri pursued higher education in the US, earning an MBA in marketing and finance from Baruch College's Zicklin School of Business in NYC (2005-2007). After completing her MBA, Mayuri Kango began her corporate journey in 2007 as an Associate Media Manager at the American digital agency 360i, as per her LinkedIn profile. In 2009, she moved to Resolution Media, a New York-based advertising firm. From 2010 to 2012, she served as Associate Director (Media) at Digitas, a Boston-based experience agency. In 2012, Mayuri returned to India and joined Zenith as Chief Digital Officer. In 2016, she took on the role of Managing Director at Performics, a performance marketing agency under the Publicis Groupe. Shortly after leaving Performics in March 2019, Mayuri joined Google.
