Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT010824m

Incident date

August 1, 2024

Location

منطقة بئر كندا في رفح, Bir Canada area, Rafah, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Thursday, August 1st, 2024, at least four civilians were reportedly killed in an alleged Israeli bombardment in the Bir Canada area of Rafah.

The deceased were named as 21-year-old Karam Kamal Nasr, 30-year-old Saleh Akram al-Mughair, 28-year-old Muhammad Khader Awad and Ali Abu Younis. While sources agreed on the deaths of these four men, one source, Nofal al-Akhras, claimed that a fifth man, Salah Abu Hilal, was also killed. While it is possible this was a second name for Saleh Akram al-Mughair, it is unlikely, as al-Mughair’s patronymic was “Abu Abdo.” No other source mentioned Salah Abu Hilal.

Several sources on Twitter/X and Facebook reported that the incident occurred when the victims were inspecting the destruction of their houses, damaged in previous strikes. This was corroborated by Mohammad al-Najjar, who wrote that Saleh, Karam and Ali knew each other as they had been displaced together and decided to return to check on the homes they had fled from. A video posted to social media and subsequently shared by the Facebook page of al-Jazeera Egypt purported to document “the moment he was targeted.” The video, captured by Saleh, showed men walking amongst rubble before a strike occurs.

Family members and friends took to social media to mourn the deceased, sharing pictures and tributes. Many posts highlighted the life of Saleh Akram al-Mughair, who, according to Mohammad Qashta, was a “Bodybuilding champion.” Several photos show Saleh posing in the gym, working out or standing next to motorcycles and cars. On Facebook, All Eyes for Gaza wrote, “My derby companion Saleh Al-Mughir is a martyr, may God have mercy on him. I will miss your laughter every night in Tal Al-Sultan,” sharing a photo of Saleh between two motorbikes. Other tributes, such as one by Omar M. Abu Hany, shared photos of Saleh in a restaurant and sitting in a car with sunglasses. Abu Hamad Al-Mughair wrote, “The eyes are filled with tears and the heart is sad, and I am saddened by your separation…at the news of the martyrdom of my son Saleh Akram Al-Mughir and my daughter’s husband, Ali Abu Yunus,” along with pictures of the two.

Several sources posted a photograph of Saleh holding a machine gun at a gym. No sources, however, alleged militant status, and none claimed he was involved in fighting.

Neighbours and friends also mourned Karam Kamal Nasr. Omar Adwan and Fady Rafat shared the same post on Facebook, stating, “Beloved neighbor, Karam Kamal Nasr, martyr. We belong to God and to Him we shall return,” adding a picture of Karam as a teenager. Anas Abu Ghali shared another picture of Karem smiling in front of a blossoming bush. Other photos by different sources show Karam at an older age, sporting a beard and wearing a checkered sweater. Mahmoud Lafi posted a picture of his “good friend” Karam at his graduation in 2022.

Friends and Family of Muhammad Khader Awad, including Wael H. Awad, Hani Awad, Jihad Awad and Jamal Alajez also posted tributes on Facebook. The Golden Dragon Academy, a martial arts club, shared condolences with the Awad family, posting, “The management of the Golden Dragon Academy, including players and all employees, extends its sincere condolences to the Awad family on the rise of Captain/Muhammad Khadar Awad.” Others, like Muhammed Kh Ashour, shared personal pictures of Muhammad, including moments of them dining at restaurants and posing together, saying he “felt [Muhammad’s] farewell to me in the days that passed.”

Ahmad Abdel Salam also posted photos of the deceased Saleh being transported in a car and Muhammad lying on the ground. Their bodies are wrapped in shrouds, only showing their faces.

Sources diverged on the nature of the attack. While Ameen Sameer suggested on Facebook that the casualties resulted from an aircraft attack, Raya Press Service and Twitter/X user @Sa7atPIBreaking and Raya Press Service specified that the men died as a result of a drone strike. In contrast, Mohammad Nasr Abu Bakr reported on Facebook that his cousin Karam died as a consequence of artillery shelling. All sources that mentioned the location of the incident reported that it occurred in the Bir Canada (Kinda) area in the city of Rafah, with Andalou Agency reporting on Facebook that the victims were recovered from the vicinity of Canada Well (Bir Canada) in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood.

Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) lists, which include national ID numbers. Since October 26, 2023 the MoH has released six lists, along with an additional list of medical professionals, which was released on September 15, 2024. Airwars is matching individuals to the first list where their name appeared. In regard to this incident, names are matched to the sixth ‘Palestinian Ministry of Health List of Fatalities in Gaza’ list, which was released on September 15, 2024.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Karam Kamal Saleh Nasr كرم كمال صالح نصر
21 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408531549
Muhammad Khidr Abdalazaiaz Aodh محمد خضر عبد العزيز عوض
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 401087572
Saleh Akram al-Mughir صالح اكرم صالح المغير
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400126314
Ali Abu Younis علي ابو يونس
Adult male killed
Salah Abu Hilal صلاح أبو هلال
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4–5 men)
  • 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 (97) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (78) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jihad awad
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    Source: Jamal alajez
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    Source: Jamal alajez
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    Source: Hani awad
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    Source: Wael h. Awad
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    Source: Muhammed kh ashour
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    Source: Muhammed kh ashour
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    Source: Muhammed kh ashour
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    Source: Ahmad abdallah abu abdallah
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    Source: Ahmad abdallah abu abdallah
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    Source: Mohammad nasr abu bakr
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    Source: Omar adwan
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    Source: Fady rafat
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    Source: Palestini heart
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    Source: Anas abu ghali
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    Source: Mohammad al mashhrawi
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    Source: All eyes for gaza
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    Source: Muhammedfmabumetier
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    Source: Omar m abu hany
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    Source: Palestini heart
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    Source: D.khaled al-mughair
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    Source: Mohammad al-najjar
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    Source: Mohammad al-najjar
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    Source: Mohammad al-najjar
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    Source: Obai da
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    Source: Ahmad abdel salam
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    Source: Ahmad abdel salam
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    Source: Ahmad abdel salam
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    Source: Omar adwan
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    Source: Omar adwan
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    Source: Nofal al-akhras
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Ameen sameer
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    Source: Moahmmad barood
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    Source: Mahmoud lafi
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    Source: Mahmoud lafi
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    Source: Mahmoud lafi
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    Source: Journalist mohammad qashta
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    Source: Mohammad al-hanafi
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    Source: Wael barghout abu mohammad
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    Source: Wael barghout abu mohammad
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    Source: Abu hamadeh al-mughair
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    Source: Abu hamadeh al-mughair
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    Source: Yosre alhams
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    Source: Ahmad ashraf
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    Source: Mohamed harb
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    Source: Ahmed khalil
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    Source: Ali mahmoud abuali
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    Source: Hasan al-mouzin
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    Source: Aasem abu al-rous
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    Source: Aasem abu al-rous
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    Source: GD academy
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    Source: Doshka al-janoubi
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    Source: Amool ana
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    Source: Amool ana
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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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4–5 men)
  • 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 (97) [ collapse]