Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

PALIS029

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Southern, Israel

Geolocation

31.666667, 34.566667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Rockets fired by Al-Qassam hit the city of Ashkelon, reportedly leading to injuries for between six and eight civilians who fell whilst running to bomb shelters.

Civilians were transferred to Barzillai Hospital for treatment.

According to one source, around 5.30pm eight physically injured civilians arrived at Barzillai hospital including one victim who was injured in the hip whilst running to the emergency room, a 32 year old who was hit in the face with shrapnel, a 26 year old victim who was hit in the blast, and a 33 year old man who fell from a bicycle during the alarm. However, it was not clear whether these victims sustained their injuries during this incident as no other sources reported any biographical information.

According to two reports from Ashkelon Post, three Ashkelon residents had arrived at the hospital that day around midnight, including a 46 year old woman who sustained a leg injury whilst running to a police station, a 52 year old civilian who was taken for a neurological examination and a civilian who was experiencing anxiety. However, it was also not clear whether these victims sustained their injuries during this incident as no other sources reported any biographical information and the time of incident was unclear.

The time of the incident was not reported by any sources, although Al-Qassam Brigades released a statement at 18.05 claiming they had launched a missile into Ashkelon.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ashkelon (אשקלון), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.666667, 34.566667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

18:05
Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Ashkelon with a missile launch



Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (9) [ collapse]