Conflict

Israel and Gaza (from 2023)

Incident Code

ISPT0235

Location

الجنينة, Al Geneina, Rafah, Palestinian territories

Geolocation

31.272972, 34.265706
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

A civilian home was reportedly hit by an Israeli airstrike in Al-Geneina, Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, at dawn on 15 October 2023, killing between seven to eight civilians from the same family and injuring others. Sources said the home belonged to Dr. Salah al-Din Zanoun.

Rum Online News cited official Palestinian news agency WAFA as noting that eight civilians were killed, similarly to PNN News which also put the death toll at eight, stating that Dr. Salah al-Din Zanoun and seven of his relatives were killed in the bombing of his house.

Only one source, WAFA cited in Rum Online News, indicated that “others were injured” by an Israeli missile in that attack, without providing further details on the exact number or identity of those wounded. The number of injured has therefore been recorded as 2-2 by Airwars.

Seven of the victims killed have been identified as: Dr. Salah al-Din Zanoun “Abu Ahmed”; his wife Etemad Miqdad “Oum Ahmed”; his sons Dr. Ahmed Salah El-Din Zanoun, Saif al-Din Salah al-Din Zanoun, Ihab Salah El-Din Zanoun, his daughter Karima Salah El-Din Zanoun; and his nephew Muhammad Musa Zanoun. While several relatives of the family announced that the Doctor’s daughter was also killed in the attack, Mohammed Al-jamal on Facebook affirmed that seven members of the family were killed, “with the exception of one daughter” who survived the attack.

Nabd News identified the location of the strike as the Al-Geneina neighborhood in Rafah.

Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.

Local sources reported that the funerals of the victims were organised the same day. Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Victims

Family members (7)

Dr. Salah al-Din Muhammad Awad Zanoun _ Abu Ahmed الدكتور صلاح الدين محمد عواد زنون
59 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 412366080
Etemad Miqdad, Umm Ahmed اعتماد مقداد
53 years old female Wife of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 413325473
Dr. Ahmed Salah al-Din Zanoun الدكتور احمد صلاح الدين زنون
27 years old male Son of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 421207887
Saif al-Din Salah al-Din Zanoun سيف الدين صلاح الدين زنون
25 years old male Son of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 421207879
Ihab Salah El-Din Zanoun ايهاب صلاح الدين زنون
male Son of Dr. Salah killed
Karima Salah El-Din Zanoun كريمة صلاح الدين زنون
female Daughter of Dr. Salah. One source reported that she "survived" the attack killed
Muhammad Musa Zanoun محمد موسى زنون
32 years old male Nephew of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 803256387

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
7–8
1–2 Women, 4 Men
Civilians reported injured
2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of al Geneina (الجنينة), to the east of  Rafah (رفح). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for al Geneina are: 31.272972, 34.265706.

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Military Statements

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

Media from Sources (26)