Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0073

Incident date

October 9, 2023

Location

لمنزل  لعائلة أبو هلال مخيم يبنا ,مدينة رفح, Abu Hilal family house, Bashit Camp or Yabna camp, city of Rafah, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

In the early hours of Monday, October 9, 2023, Israeli forces allegedly bombed a family home belonging to Raafat Abu Harb Hussein Hilal – a claimed member and a leader of the militant group the Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades – in Yabna camp (or Bashit Camp, according to some sources), in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. According to publicly available information, a combatant Hilal was killed alongside at least 24 identified civilians, including at least 13 women (among them a pregnant woman) and four children. At least 40 civilians were reportedly wounded.

Following this event, AFP news agency made available a photograph that purportedly showed the destruction caused by the alleged bombing, captioned “Members of the Palestinian Abu Hilal family inspect the damage inside their home following overnight Israeli air strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 9, 2023.”

Members of five families, including Abu Hilal, Barhoum, Zanoun and Labad families, were among the victims of the strike. Their family members wrote Facebook testimonies shedding some light on the identities of the victims of the deadly attack.

According to a report by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, the strike occurred at approximately 01:20 and led to the complete destruction of the Abu Hilal house and damaged several houses adjacent to it. It led to the death of 19 civilians, including nine women and four children, and the injury of 40 others. A post from Adel Zarab reported that “more than 80 injuries” resulted from attacks in Rafah but it is unclear if they all occurred during this incident. News agencies Associated Press and Anadolu Agency also reported that 19 civilians were killed, citing a doctor Talat Barhoum at the nearby Al-Najjar Hospital. However, Twitter account @khalil3 reported about 25 killed civilians in the Abu Hilal family house. Airwars identified the names of 24 civilians killed and the identity of up to 36 total victims killed.

The Abu Hilal family posted pictures of the funerals of the family members and the prayer in mosques on Facebook. One body, presumably of Raafat though it was covered, was draped in a flag of a militant organisation with a gun and the word resistance (مقاومة) on it – a word used often by militant groups in Gaza. The Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades are the militant wing of the Popular Resistance Committees – a loose grouping of armed factions in Gaza.

The Abu Hilal family posted about the late 31-year old Yahya Khalid Harb Abu Hilal, his wife, their son and their daughter (whose names were not published) as well as Abu Saqr Abu Hilal, his wife Sabreen Hussein Abu Hilal (30), and their children (whose names were not published), and Rana Khaled Abu Hilal, a wife of Abd Raafat who was not killed in the attack. A Facebook post by NööÑöö Àĺì mentions some other victims of this attack from the Abu Hilal family, namely, Muhammad Raafat Abu Hilal, Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) and her two daughters (whose names were not published), a 28-year old pregnant Nada Khaled Abu Hilal, Abdul Karim Abu Hilal (70) and his wife Rasmiya Abu Hilal (70), and Nisreen Yahya Abu Hilal (6, possibly a child of Yahya).

In a Facebook post Ahmad Sami Barhom wrote that Ayman Sabri Barhoum who was not killed in the strike lost his 61-year old mother Sabah Muhammad Ahmad Barhoum, his 20-year old sister Nibal (Nepal) Sabri Barhoum, his 24-year old wife Asmaa Bassam Mohammad Barhoum and their 2-year old son Abdul Rahman Ayman Sabri Barhoum in the “brutal bombing of Rafah.” A nephew of Asmaa Bassam Mohammad Barhoum, Talat Barhoum, also mourned the death of the Barhoum family members in a Facebook testimony. A list provided by Najia Mahmoud included “Alaa Barhoum’s mother” but it is unclear if she is one of the people mentioned above.

A Labad family member Umm Ibrahim Labad and her grandson, the child Saad Mahmoud Labad (2) were also killed in the strike and remembered by Umm Ibrahim Labad’s nephew, Mohammed Atalla, in a Facebook post. Nabila Suleiman Labad  (60) was also mentioned as a victim in a Facebook post by Diwan Al-Areesh – this may be Umm Ibrahim Labad but it is unclear from the sources.

According to the post by Abu Kamal Zanoun, six members of the Zanoun family lost their lives in the attack, namely, Hajj Zaki Nassar Zanoun Abu Khaled (70), his wife Badriya Zanoun Barhoum (71), his nephew Nassar Salim Zanoun Abu Salim (35), his relatives Ahmed Azmi Zanoun (16), and Soha Azmi Zanoun (18). The late Hajj Zaki Nassar Zanoun Abu Khaled and his wife were mentioned as neigbours of Abu Hilal in the post by Saqie Hilal. A post from Jehad Zanoon included an image of Nassar “honouring his cousin” Soha, and both can be seen holding an award. According to Raed Hasan Zanoon, the funeral for the members of the Zanoun family took place at Ebad Al-Rahman Mosque and they were buried at the Eastern Cemetery.

The tweet from @vivapalestineee included additional names killed in “the bombing of the Abu Hilal family home”: Shadia Saleh Marjouna (46), Marzouqa Freih Abu Jazar (92), and Bilal Saeed Abu Jazar (30), in addition to an unknown woman and the unknown remains of two people from the Dhair family. A Facebook post from Adel Zarab includes the additional name Abdullah Hisham Dahil but it is unclear if they were killed in this attack, as the post only refers to “Rafah” as the location.

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

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

The incident occured at approximately 1:20 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (17)

Yahya Khalid Harb Abu Hilal يحيى خالد ابوهلال
31 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803701150
Wife of Yahya Khaled Abu Hilal زوجة يحيى خالد ابوهلال
Adult female killed
Son of Yahya Khaled Abu Hilal ابن يحيى خالد ابوهلال
Child male killed
Daughter of Yahya Khaled Abu Hilal ابنة يحيى خالد ابوهلال
Child female killed
Abu Saqr Abu Hilal أبو صقر أبو هلال
Adult male killed
Sabreen Hussein Abu Hilal صابرين حسين ابوهلال
30 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803701150
Child of Abu Saqr Abu Hilal طفل أبو صقر أبو هلال
Child killed
Child of Abu Saqr Abu Hilal طفل أبو صقر أبو هلال
Child killed
Rana Khaled Abu Hilal رنا خالد ابو هلال
Adult female killed
Muhammad Raafat Abu Hilal محمد رافت ابوهلال
male killed
Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) سها ابو هلال (ابو عرب)
Adult female killed
Daughter of Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) ابنة سها ابو هلال (ابو عرب)
female killed
Daughter of Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) ابنة سها ابو هلال (ابو عرب)
female killed
Nada Khaled Abu Hilal ندى خالد ابو هلال
28 years old female pregnant killed Matched to MoH ID 401085592
Abdul Karim Abu Hilal عبد الكريم أبو هلال
70 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 903676146
Rasmiya Abu Hilal رسمية ابو هلال
70 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 908676349
Nisreen Yahya Abu Hilal نسرين يحيى ابو هلال
6 years old female killed

Family members (5)

Sabah Muhammad Ahmad Barhoum صباح محمد برهوم
61 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 917763096
Nibal (Nepal) Sabri Barhoum نبال صبري برهوم
20 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 409339918
Asmaa Bassam Mohammad Barhoum اسماء بسام برهوم
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 405178047
Abdul Rahman Ayman Barhoum عبدالرحمن ايمن برهوم
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445538960
Alaa Barhoum’s mother أم علاء برهوم
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Umm Ibrahim Labad أم إبراهيم لباد
Adult female killed
Saad Mahmoud Labad سعد محمود لباد
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445477342
Nabila Suleiman Labad نبيلة سليمان لباد
60 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 919145847

Family members (5)

Zaki Nassar Zanoun زكي ناصر زنون
70 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 903675940
Soha Azmi Zanoun سهى غزمي زنون
18 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 409925971
Ahmed Azmi Zanoun أحمد عزمي زنون
16 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424456564
Nassar Salim Zanoun نصار سليم زنون
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802024034
Badriya Zanoun, Umm Khaled بدرية زنون أم خالد
71 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 918683251

The victims were named as:

Shadia Saleh Marjouna شادية صالح مرجونة
46 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 411265556
Marzouqa Freih Abu Jazar مرزوقة فريح ابو جزر
92 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 903675627
Bilal Saeed Abu Jazar بلال سعيد ابو جزر
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804606176
Abdullah Hisham Dahil عبدالله هشام دهيلز
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • (4–10 children13–16 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–81
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (61) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Zarab facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Edy Cohen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Habiba
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Layal
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
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    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
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    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
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    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Hilia family facebook
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    Source: Abu Hilia family facebook
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    Source: Fateh facebook
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    Source: Said facebook
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    Source: Said facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saqie Hilal facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saqie Hilal facebook
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    Source: Saqie Hilal facebook
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    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
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    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
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    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
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    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Kamal Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Kamal Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Kamal Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jehad Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Issa Abu Sharaf facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Issa Abu Sharaf facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Getty Images Photo
    Members of the Palestinian Abu Hilal family inspect the damage inside their home following overnight Israeli air strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 9, 2023. The Israeli army said it hit more than 500 targets in the Gaza Strip in overnight strikes, as the death toll from its war with Palestinian militants surged above 1,100. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • (4–10 children13–16 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–81
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (35) [ collapse]