Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

M21ISPT073

Incident date

May 15, 2021

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

One person was reported killed and up to 26 civilians reported injured by a single strike in a series of IDF airstrikes in the mid-afternoon on May 15, 2021. The strikes are reported to have struck the Beit Lahia area in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

Several sources reported strikes leading to fires near to the American School, north of Beit Lahia, although Al Mezan was alone in reporting that one person was killed and 26 injured in the strikes, including five women and ten children.

Bel Trew, the Independent’s correspondent in the area, reported that the strikes had hit a large chemicals and pesticides store in the Beit Lahia area, starting a major fire.

The incident occured at approximately 3:50 pm local time.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Lahiya (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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising following strikes on northwest Beit Lahia on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @gazaapost)
  • According to @Beltrew, the strikes caused a massive fire at a huge chemicals and pesticides store.

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]