Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0506

Incident date

October 23, 2023

Location

الجنينة, Al Jenina, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.282622, 34.263498 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least six civilians were killed and at least 11 others, based on images, were injured after an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Al Khatib residence, in the neighbourhood of Al Jenina, Rafah on 23 October, 2023.

Six civilians were reported killed. Four-year-old Muhammad Bahaa al-Din al-Kahlot was killed, after having been displaced from the Gaza City neighbourhood of Tel al-Hawa; pictures were shared on social media reportedly of his corpse wrapped in a body bag.

46-year-old Ahmed Youssef Abdel-Jabbar Awad was also killed. Nimah Ali Qasim Obaid al-Sufi was killed with her son, Shadi Ahmed Sabah Obaid al-Sufi; a video shared by Facebook user Ahmed Farg shows medical personnel attempting CPR on Shadi al-Sufi; they were unable to revive him. Another mother and son, 55-year-old Wafa Othman Hassan al-Khatib and 24-year-old engineer Muhammad Youssef Muhammad al-Khatib were also killed.

Family and friends on social media mourned their losses. Facebook user Nour Yahya grieved the loss of her aunt Wafa and cousin Muhammad, praying that they would eventually “meet in heaven.” She included photos of a family celebration, presumably Muhammad’s birthday. A smiling Muhammad holds a cake with his photograph superimposed onto it. Rowaida Abu Obeid remembered Wafa as someone with “a beautiful appearance, a smiling face, a kind heart, a calm character” who was “beloved by everyone, young and old.” Muhammad was remembered as “polite and kind.”

User Alaa Yahya similarly mourned her aunt, Nimah, asking that “God have mercy” on the deceased. Facebook user “Abu Hmza” remembered Shadi as one of the “purest […] and kindest men in Rafah,” deeming him “loyal and trustworthy.”

Several injuries were also documented. In a video shared by Facebook user “Poor Wolf,” two children are noticeably traumatized, bloodied, and covered in dust. Facebook user “Understanding” reported “injuries among children” after the strike, including an image of two children at a medical center. The boy pictured in the foreground is scratched and blood-stained, and is receiving medical care. In pictures shared by multiple social media users, 11 children appear injured. In a photograph shared by user Adli Abu Taha, a man is lying on a stretcher, being rushed towards care.

According to Shorouk News, the strike occurred “without warning.” Twitter/X user Wael Abo Omer included a picture reportedly of the missile used; the US company “Woodward” is clearly visible on the munition. Images of the destruction wrought by the attack were shared on social media; the building has completely collapsed, and there is visible damage to neighboring buildings.

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.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nimah Ali Qasim Obaid al-Sufi نعمة علي قاسم عبيد الصوفي
Adult female killed
Shadi Ahmed Sabah Obaid al-Sufi شادي أحمد صباح عبيد الصوفي
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Wafa Othman Hassan al-Khatib وفاء عثمان حسن الخطيب عبيد
55 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 907280457
Muhammad Youssef Muhammad al-Khatib محمد يوسف محمد الخطيب
24 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 405174509

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Bahaa al-Din al-Kahlot محمد بهاءالدين الكحلوت
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441199296
Ahmed Youssef Abdel-Jabbar Awad أحمد يوسف عبدالجبار عوض
Age unknown male killed Matched to MoH ID 957471576

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Jenina (الجنية) within Rafah (رفح). Analysing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.282622, 34.263498.

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  • Imagery:
    Mahmoud AlJazzar

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 child2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–12
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (23) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Al-kahloot family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Abu Znada media platform
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Abu Znada media platform
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

    Source: Mahmoud aljazzar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud aljazzar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud aljazzar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud aljazzar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nour yahya
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alaa yahya
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adli abu taha
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ghada elmasri
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu hmza
  • 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
    Residential building, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (1 child2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11–12
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (33) [ collapse]