Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0482

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

حيّ الصعيدي, Saudi neighbourhood, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.315564, 34.238917 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the 22nd of October 2023, an alleged Israeli projectile hit the house of the al-Saidi family in the Saudi district, west of Rafah, reportedly killing one civilian man and causing injuries to others.

Moataz Abu Talekh was reported as the young man killed in several posts. Multiple Facebook posts include photos alongside tributes to him, including Abu Khaled Al-Turbani who posted a condolence message for his “brother and beloved” Moataz. He was taken to al-Kuwaiti hospital but did not survive, according to Voice of the Nation Radio.

Multiple posts also report injuries, but do not name or number individuals injured. No further details were available regarding the current condition of these civilians.

Airwars was not able to match Moataz Abu Talekh’s name with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

All sources that identify a belligerent report that the belligerent was the Israeli military. One of these sources, Ma’an News Agency, alleges that the incident was an airstrike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Moataz Abu Talekh معتز ابو تيلخ
Adult male killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Saudi neighbourhood (حيّ الصعيدي) of the city of Rafah (رفح), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.315564, 34.238917. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tariq bin Abdul Aziz
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Khaled Al-Turbani

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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]