Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0494

Incident date

October 23, 2023

Location

مسجد "النور المحمدي" في حي الشيخ رضوان, Al-Nour Al-Mohammadi Mosque, Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, Gaza City, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.530800, 34.474270 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Monday, October 23rd 2023, at around 12pm, an Israeli airstrike allegedly injured and killed dozens of civilians including children, and destroyed the al-Nour al-Mohammadi Mosque and neighbouring homes in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of Gaza City. The mosque was located in the centre of a civilian area in Gaza City. The exact number of civilians killed and injured were not reported on, so Airwars has provided an estimated range based on qualitative descriptions of the event.

Shehab Agency reported on the destruction of the mosque, adding that the strike caused “injuries among the mosque’s neighbours.” Nabaa Media Group reported the mosque was bombed with a “series of missile attacks that resulted in dozens of casualties, including martyrs and wounded,” sharing a video of two massive plumes of smoke rising up from the site of the strikes in a distance. A Twitter/X user @fo_er stated that “in the last hour, two mosques were destroyed,” while @M0SC0W0 posted that the mosque was “completely destroyed,” adding that it was located “in the middle of an area crowded with Palestinian civilians.” Mohammed al-Najjar posted that the bombing also led to the “destruction of citizens’ homes.”

One Twitter/X user, @AhmedTafesh86, reported that “a large number of children were injured and killed during the bombing,” as they were playing in a playground next to the mosque. It is unknown how many children were killed. Other users shared images of the destroyed mosque, its dome shattered with a lone minaret still standing amongst the rubble.

Many media sources including TRT Arabi, Al Araby News, Al-Quds, AJA and Anadolu Agency, reported on the statement by the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of the Interior, which stated that “Israeli aircraft destroyed the Al-Nour Al-Muhammadi Mosque….This led to injuries among citizens.” Al-Quds and Anadolu noted that with this alleged strike, the total number of mosques reportedly destroyed since October 7th has risen to 32.

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

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 at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al-Nour Al-Mohammadi Mosque in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood (مسجد “النور المحمدي” في حي الشيخ رضوان). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.530800, 34.474270.

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  • Source: Said El Najjar

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • (5–10 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (34) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @alaraby_ar
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    Source: @fouadkhreiss
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    Source: @AJA_Egypt
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AL24newschannel
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    Source: @TkrytyMr21896
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @mu_hy1
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    Source: @marebpress
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    Source: @thenewkhaleej
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    Source: @alestiklal
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    Source: @EmadHagag10
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    Source: @EmadHagag10
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    Source: @FaramakZahraie
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    Source: @AlawlaTv
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    Source: @Shorouk_News
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    Source: Eastnowarbic
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Zaatout
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said El Najjar
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    Source: Direct from Egypt
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Abd al-Husayn al-Hamdawi
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    Source: NameerIbrahimBacha
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    Source: Tobna.News
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    Source: AJA.Egypt
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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, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • (5–10 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]