An alleged Israeli airstrike reportedly killed between 15 and 30 civilians and injured more than 35 others as it destroyed the homes of the Akhlil and Zaino families, on Jaffa Street in the Al-Daraj neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, on the morning of Wednesday, October 25th 2023.

Maher Saeed identified Abu al-Mundhir Zaino and his family as those killed from the Zaino family. Gamal Zaino said that there was almost a whole family under the rubble, and noted that the search was ongoing even after finding 13 killed civilians.

At least four civilians were reportedly killed at the Akhil family home, according to four separate sources. Abood H Seder wished “May God have mercy on” 5-year old Amira Yahya Akhlil and 4-year old Nour Khaled Akhlil.

Multiple sources claim that husband and wife Professor Nahed al-Rafati (also known as Abu Thabet al-Rafati) and Sanaa Sobhi Qouta (also known as Umm Thabet) were among those killed. Professor Nahed al-Rafati was a Professor of Hebrew language at Al-Azhar University in Gaza City.

Early sources, including the Palestinian news agencies Safa and Shehab Agency, reported that between 11 and 13 civilians were killed at the Zaino family home. Multiple sources initially reported four victims as killed and a number injured in the strike on the Akhlil family home. The same sources later recorded the number of people killed as 30, with 35 people injured as a result of the strike on both the Zaino and Akhlil family homes.

A source named Mahmoud Abu Zenada reported in a post on Facebook that “more than 50 were killed and injured” from three families, the Zaino, Akhlil and Al-Refati families. Mahmoud and another source, Atef al-Najar, reported on the day of the incident that many victims remained buried under the rubble. A correspondent described the Akhlil and Zaino family homes as being “crowded with citizens, especially women and children.”

One tribute, made by Soona Kh Nasser on Facebook, described Professor Nahed al-Rafati as “like a father.” She continued: “In my life, no one with the kindness and morals of Professor Nahed will come across me.” The post was accompanied with pictures of Soona and Professor Nahed at Soona’s graduation ceremony.

Various sources include video that they claim shows the aftermath of the airstrike with a multi-story building having been reduced to rubble. The video, posted by Maan News Agency on Facebook, showed that neighbouring buildings suffered significant damage, each building being at least 5 stories tall.

All sources that identified a belligerent identified the Israeli military.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.