On Sunday, October 22nd 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the home of the al-Derawi family killing at least 26 people across three generations in the Al-Zawaida neighbourhood, in the central Gaza Strip. The victims ages ranged from 63 years-old to just one year old. Though injuries were mentioned by sources, no specific numbers have been reported.

The incident was reported early in the morning that day by the Palestinian Press Agency, Safa, and Msdr News.

Relatives identified the names of the victims and made tributes through posts on social media. Relatives reported that Mahmoud Farhan Ismail al-Derawi, the 63-year-old patriarch of the family was killed along with his wife, 58-year-old Mona Ali al-Derawi. Their 37-year-old son Ismail Mahmoud Farhan al-Derawi was also killed, as was his wife, 35-year-old Halima Abu Shaoarib (al-Derawi). Ismail and Halima’s four children were killed with them: sons 7-year-old Diaa el-Din Ismail Mahmoud al-Derawi, 3-year old Ali Ismail Mahmoud al-Derawi, and 4-year-old Ahmed Ismail Mahmoud al-Derawi, and their daughter, Dana Ismail Mahmoud al-Derawi. Though sources did not specify her age, Airwars found a 9-year old Lana Ismail al-Derawi on the list published by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. It is possible this is the same child, though misspelt.

Mahmoud and Mona’s other son, 33-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Farhan al-Derawi was killed with his wife, 28-year-old Maria Abu Jalal. Their two sons, 3-year old Mahmoud Muhammed Mahmoud al-Derawi and 1-year-old Anas Muhammed Mahmoud al-Derawi were also killed.

31-year-old Wisaam Mahmoud Farhan al-Derawi, Mahmoud and Mona’s third son, was also killed.

An article about the incident, published by al-Araby News, reported that Mahmoud and Mona were survived by their two daughters Manar and Hoda, who was heavily pregnant and faced the prospect of giving birth without her mother by her side.

Mona’s sister, Amira Ali al-Derawi, was killed with her 39-year son, Muhammad Suliman al-Derawi. Muhammad’s wife, 32-year-old Amani Ahmed Talab Ismail, was also killed, as were their three daughters: Jana Muhammad al-Derawi, Janan Muhammad al-Derawi and Hala Muhammad al-Derawi.

Amira’s husband, Suleiman al-Derawi, the older brother of Mahmoud al-Derawi, was one of the few survivors alongside his son “Abdul Hamid” and two grandchildren

Amira’s two daughters 34-year-old Alyaa Suleiman Farhan al-Derawi and 41-year-old Amani Farhan Suleiman al-Derawi (Abu Dhaher) were also killed alongside Amani Suleiman’s only daughter Masa, who is likely 16-year-old Masa Atiya Nasr Abu Dhaher, a victim found by Airwars on the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities. Amani Suleiman is described as displaced, having “left her home in Al-Maghazi camp thinking that she would escape death.”

Amani Ahmed Talab al-Derawi’s two sisters, 30-year-old Tahani Ahmed Talab al-Derawi and 29-year-old Angaam Ahmed Talab Ismail were also reportedly killed. The sisters had come together, hoping to be safer as a family. Angaam was reportedly displaced and had come to be with her sisters to “escape the bombing”.

Angaam’s sons, named as Abboud and Youssef, were also killed.

A Facebook post by a family member called Ehmed Elderawi said: “My beloved mother, my two generous sisters, and my niece are with the martyrs. My uncle, my aunt, their children, their wives, my brothers, their wives and children, and a group of guests. We ask God to have mercy on them,” The same day, he also shared a tribute image with the names of the family members who had passed away in the alleged incident, saying “They are not numbers… ”

A Facebook post from Muhammad Ali Ahmed mourned the loss of other members of the family, including “little Janan” who had “spent most of her life in hospitals struggling.”

Similarly, Mohammed Ismail, an relative, mourned the deaths of his “three sisters and their children”.

Aya Shaheen also shared a heartfelt message of grief, mourning her “beloved aunts”, and reported that the search for victims under the rubble was ongoing.

In an article published by Al Araby News, Mahmoud was described as a diligent worker. He worked at a grocery store, and had finally saved enough money to build his own home. His wife, Mona, was described as “everyone’s support” and beloved and “spoiled” by her siblings. According to this source, Ismail Al-Derawi held a bachelor’s degree from the College of Education and worked in a government institution. His wife, Halima Abu Shawareb, often expressed hopes that her daughter Dana would become a doctor; Dana was keen on her brother Diaa memorizing the Quran, and would urge him to go to memorization circles at their mosque. Together, they dreamed of a “beautiful future for their children.”

The same report also describes Ismail’s brother, Muhammad, as “calm, balanced, and possessed of wisdom.” His wife Maria was an artist that “painted pictures that embodied a beautiful future full of love, beauty, and peace.” Their other brother, Wissam, had relocated to Turkey after a period of unemployment in Gaza before returning to settle down in Gaza near his extended family.

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

According to a Facebook post from Youssef bin Mustafa Al-Buhaisi, the strike occurred without warning.

Where possible, names have been reconciled with published Palestinian Ministry of Health lists. With thanks to journalist Alexandre Horn from CheckNews for identifying relevant sources, and Data Tech for Palestine for centralising the datasets.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the morning.