Thieves raided the coffee cart that was burned on 7/10 and restored: 'I've reached my limit'

Hagai Horowitz, a resident of Kfar Aza, restored the 'Cafe BaSivuv' coffee cart that was burned on October 7, but now faces closure after repeated thefts, financial losses, and lack of support from the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council.

Hagai Horowitz, an agronomist by profession, dreamed for years of opening a business in the Gaza envelope. At age 50, he established 'Cafe BaSivuv' – a coffee and pastry cart that became a local symbol. On the morning of October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists burned the cart. After the evacuation of the Kfar Aza community to the Ruhama area, Horowitz restored the business and reopened it in November 2024 near Kibbutz Ruhama. In May 2025, he also returned to the original location at the Black Arrow Memorial, but the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council moved him to the other side of the road and placed another business in his spot. Since the reopening, the cart has suffered three break-ins: theft of the cash register, theft of a generator, and vandalism of cameras and a refrigerator on the night of July 27-28, 2026. The damage is estimated at tens of thousands of shekels. The police closed the case due to lack of public interest. Horowitz is considering closing the business due to losses and financial hardship, saying: 'What Hamas couldn't do, the council did.'