Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0243

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

جوار مسجد عبد الله عزام, Vicinity of Abdullah Azzam Mosque, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.545593, 34.525436 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around 8:00 in the morning of Monday, October 16th 2023, a group of civilians were reportedly injured and killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike near Abdullah Azzam Mosque as they were returning to the city of Beit Hanoun.

Shehab News Agency, Al-Ayyam and other local sources reported that ambulances were called to the scene. Although the exact number of the injured civilians was not reported, the photos posted on social media by Shehab Agency and Palestine Now showed at least four injured men being escorted out of ambulances. Only one source, Al-Ayyam News, also reported about killed civilians, but the exact number of the victims is unknown.

According to @ShehabAgency, the strike occurred after Hebrew language press announced that a truce had begun in the morning and people were returning to their homes.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

The incident occured at approximately 8:00 am local time.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Abdullah Azzam Mosque (مسجد عبدالله عزام) to the west of Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.545593, 34.525436. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestine now
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestine now
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Reda Al-Shuwaikhi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Reda Al-Shuwaikhi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Reda Al-Shuwaikhi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]