Conflict

Israel and Gaza

Incident Code

ISPT0971

Location

عائلة "أبو تيم" في بلدة بني سهيلا شرق خانيونس, The “Abu Taim” family home, town of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Khan Younis, Palestinian territories

Geolocation

31.342130, 34.325343
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: August 13, 2025

On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 21-year-old Moatz Mohammed Shehada Abu Taim was killed and nine more civilians, including a young man, Abdallaha Saleh Abu Taim, were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike that hit the Abu Taim family home in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip.

The exact number of casualties resulting from the strike is unknown, but the video shared by Seraj Al Johany and other users on Facebook showed the arrival of the body of a young man to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, and the caption read:  “Watch the retrieval of a new martyr from the “Abu Taym” family, hours after the occupation destroyed the family’s home in the town of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Yunis.” Therefore, one can presume that there were at least a number of casualties resulting from the strike.

The name of the victim, Moatz Mohammed Shehada Abu Taim, has been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) lists, which include national ID numbers. Since October 26, 2023, the MoH has released multiple lists, along with an additional list of medical professionals, which was released on September 17, 2024. Airwars is matching individuals to the first list where their name appeared. In regard to this incident, the name was matched to the second “Palestinian Ministry of Health List of Fatalities in Gaza”, which was released on January 7, 2024.

Initial reports suggested that the strike led to five injuries, but later the injury toll was increased to nine. On Facebook, Osama Khater wrote that his friend, Abdallaha Saleh Abu Taim suffered a back injury in the attack and wished him a speedy recovery. He also added a selfie where two young men were looking at a camera.

The death of young Moatz Abu Taim was mourned in multiple social media posts.

Islam Abed identified Moatz Abu Taim as his cousin. At the same time, Mohammed Abuerbis described him as “the groom” and mentioned he was his cousin while expressing condolences to his parents and family. A post by Salah Abu Abed described Moatz as a cousin and friend, stating he “joined the constellation of the Eastern Moons.”

On Facebook, Amany Najjar extended condolences to the mother of the late Moatz, Umm Hussam Taim, writing, “may Allah strengthen your heart and increase your patience with the martyrdom of your beloved so.” The post was accompanied by an image of Moatz sitting in a chair outdoors with beads in his hands. He was wearing a brown sports jacket and a cap.

Social media accounts like Alaa Mustafa shared footage showing the destruction of the Abu Taim family home to rubble, while accounts like Seraj Al Johany, @ShehabAgency, and Yamen Akkari reported that a body was later recovered from the rubble and taken to Nasser Hospital.

Khalid Abdel Rahman shared an image of a Palestinian woman from the Abu Taim family holding a young girl while preparing the body of a relative for burial at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, following Israeli airstrikes on November 9, 2023.

All sources that attributed responsibility for the airstrike identified Israeli forces as responsible.

Victims

Family members (2)

Moatz Mohammed Shehada Abu Taim معتز محمد شحادة ابو تيم
21 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408541316
Abdallaha Saleh Abu Taim عبد الله صالح أبو تيم
Adult male injured

Key Information

Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1–2
1 Man
Civilians reported injured
5–9
1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Bani Suhaila (ِبني سهيلا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.342130, 34.325343. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Israeli Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Israeli Military
Israeli Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (20)

Sources (33)