Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0532

Incident date

October 23, 2023

Location

بيت لاهيا, Beit Lahia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.551277, 34.509233 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 10 or 11 members of the al-Dariwi family, including two women and two children, were reportedly killed while a number of family members were also injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the evening of Monday, 23 October 2023, which struck their home in the town of Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip.

Initial reports, including one by the Palestinian Information Center that was posted on Twitter/X at 11:33 PM local time, claimed that seven people had been killed in the attack.

The reported figure of 11 was given in a video posted by al-Arabiya Jordan where a woman now staying in Jordan mourns the passing of 11 of her family members as a result of an alleged Israeli airstrike.

Al-Wasat news and Palestinian Information Center reported that some people were injured in the attack and taken to the Indonesian Hospital for treatment.

Social media tributes by relatives and friends helped Airwars to identify the names of the ten victims.

83-year-old Hajj Hassan Fawzi al-Dariwi was reportedly killed along with two of his sons, Iyad Hassan Fawzi al-Dariwi (Abu Batoul) and 50-year-old Ayman Hassan Fawzi al-Dariwi.

Ayman’s wife, Umm al-Hassan al-Dariwi was killed alongside their four sons, 24-year-old Muhammad Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi, 15-year-old Abdullah Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi, 10-year-old Yamen Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi and Hassan Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi whose age is unknown, but, according to the images, appeared to be in his 20s.

Multiple posts on social media asked for prayers for the injured Hassan Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi who was in hospital following the attack. Further sources suggested that he did not survive his injuries.

29-year-old Rafiq Nassim Shehadeh Abu al-Anzain (Abu Nassim) and his wife, a member of the al-Dariwi family were also reported as dead as a result of the attack.

A woman or girl named Abeer may have also been killed in the alleged incident as this name was found in a tribute Facebook post to the victims shared by Mohammad Hasanat, however the family relation and age of this victim are not known. She may be 23-year-old Abeer Fawzi Hasan Al-Dariwi, a name found on the Ministry of Health list of fatalities.

Many friends and family posted in mourning for Rafiq Nassim Abu al-Anzain, including his cousin Ahmad al-Hirsh, who wrote in a Facebook post that Rafiq had visited them only that morning to see his mother who was staying with them. Ahmad Aziz wrote about Rafiq as “the good-natured neighbour and friend.”

Shadi Masoud on Facebook wrote that the late Iyad was his co-worker, sharing an image of a Iyad. Mohammad Jamal also mourned the death of Iyad, writing  “My friend and lover, Iyad. How kind you were to your parents.” He shared an image of Iyad dressed in a green T-shirt and warmly embracing his smiling father.

On November 23rd, Iyad’s friend Mohammad Jamal posted a heart-wrenching tribute to his friend, sharing a picture with him and saying “My dearest people, my beloved Iyad Hassan Al-Dariwi… You left this world and my memories will remain with you as long as I live… It is difficult to part with you, I swear, my friend and brother.”

Tayseer Zaqout remembered Ayman al-Dariwi in his post, saying that Ayman used to have a kind heart and a smile. He shared an image of the late Ayman – a middle-aged man with a beard, in black sunglasses and a black shirt, smiling at the camera.

Mahmoud Naeem Hammoude posted an image of Hassan Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi, holding up a peace sign and a yellow flag at a Fatah rally.

The official Facebook page for the Fatah Youth Movement posted a tribute to its two members, Muhammad Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi and Hassan Ayman Hassan al-Dariwi. The post referred to the brothers as heroes.

While both brothers appear to be politically active, there is no evidence to suggest they were militants.

Facebook account of Raya FM shared a graphic video which was later reposted by other social media users, showing how the bodies of the victims were brought to a hospital and wrapped in white shrouds.

Multiple sources reported that the incident took place without prior warning.

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, 2023.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Israeli military.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Hassan Fawzi Hasan Al-Dariwi حسن فوزي الدريوي
83 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 928060920
Iyad Hassan Fawzi Al-Dariwi اياد حسن فوزي الدريوي
Adult male Son of Hassan killed
Ayman Hassan Fawzi Al-Dariwi أيمن حسن فوزي الدريوي
50 years old male Son of Hassan killed Matched to MoH ID 946678513
Mother of Al-Hassan Al-Dariwi ام الحسن الدريوي
Adult female Wife of Ayman killed
Muhammad Ayman Hassan Al-Dariwi محمد أيمن حسن الدريوي
24 years old male Son of Ayman killed Matched to MoH ID 405202037
Abdullah Ayman Hassan Al-Dariwi عبد الله أيمن حسن الدريوي
15 years old male Son of Ayman killed Matched to MoH ID 426271979
Yamen Ayman Hassan Al-Dariwi يامن أيمن حسن الدريوي
10 years old male Son of Ayman killed Matched to MoH ID 433838414
Hassan Ayman Hassan Al-Dariwi حسن ايمن حسن الدريوي
Adult male Son of Ayman killed
Rafiq Nassim Shehadeh Abu Al-Anzain رفيق نسيم شحادة ابو العنزين
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400135620
Wife of Rafiq زوجة رفيق
Adult female killed
Abeer عبير
Age unknown female killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Lahia (بيت لاهيا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.551277, 34.509233. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–3 children2–3 women5 men)
  • 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 (56) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (56) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Ahmad al-hirsh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Ahmad abu aite
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    Source: Ahmad abu aite
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    Source: Fares n azez
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Majd ziyadah abu mouaz
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    Source: Majd ziyadah abu mouaz
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

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

    Source: Yousef abo daher
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    Source: Awdeh space channel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Imad al-araj
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    Source: Imad al-araj
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    Source: Nedal jawad
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    Source: Saleh abu sameh saleh
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    Source: Saleh abu sameh saleh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Shadi masoud
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    Source: Tayseer zaqout
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Ahmad aziz
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    Source: Abdo mazen
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    Source: Saeb abu fathi
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    Source: Saeb abu fathi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saeb abu fathi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saeb abu fathi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad al-sous abu qusay
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    Source: Ahmad al-sous abu qusay
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    Source: Ahmad al-sous abu qusay
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Mohammad jamal
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    Source: Haitham saleh abu al-abd
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    Source: Haitham saleh abu al-abd
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    Source: Haitham saleh abu al-abd
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    Source: Emad hassan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad hasanat
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    Source: Ahmad hawari
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    Source: Salwa al-dariwi
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    Source: Basim abu samara
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    Source: Aqel hussein saleh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Mohamed darabih
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    Source: Yahya yahya
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: Hazem m. taha
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Fatah Youth Movement - official page
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Mohammad jamal
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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
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (2–3 children2–3 women5 men)
  • 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 (56) [ collapse]