Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0269

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

جوار مسجد الكنز, Vicinity of al Kanz Mosque, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.519096, 34.447287 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 16th 2023, 11 civilians were reportedly killed and between 10 and 17 others were injured by an alleged Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment for the Ammar family near Al-Kanz Mosque in the Al-Rimal neighborhood  in central Gaza City.

Airwars identified the names of 11 members of the Ammar family who were killed. Three brothers – sons of Abdul Mohsen, 46 year old Osama Abdel Mohsen Ammar, 43 year old Iyad Abdel Mohsen Ammar and 37 year old Ahmed Abdel Mohsen Ammar were all killed. In addition, Ahmed’s two sons were also among those killed: Noman Ammar and Saeed Ammar. A post from Abu Ismail Al-Kajk described Osama as “the best brother and friend”.

During the same attack, two brothers – sons of Bashir Ammar, 61 year old Osama Hani Ammar and 64 year old Bayan Hani Ammar, were also reported to be victims of the incident. Alongside the brothers, Bayan’s wife, 52 year old Bushra Ammar and their child, 12 year old Mays Ammar, were killed according to a Facebook post by a friend. A post from Waheeb Osama gave condolences to his father Osama and his uncle Bayan, adding that his mother had died four months before “and my father could not bear her separation due to his excessive love for her”. Waheeb added that “my two brothers are in the hospital. My middle brother is in stable condition and the youngest is in stable condition, but in intensive care.”

A post by user Minsa pays tribute to his former student 23 year old Fahmy Bashir Ammar who worked in Al-Harazin Market in Al-Nasr. He has also been described as ‘the beloved, the kind, the precious’ in a further post on social media. Fatima Bashir Ammar, 16 years old, a sibling of Fahmy was also killed. An image posted by Ahmed Al-Helou shows the young Fatima in a pink head scarf.

Initial reporting of the incident recorded four fatalities and the injuries of 10 others, supported by an image capturing the injured being transported to hospital. However, reports from friends and family the day after the strike indicate the death of eleven civilians. A further 17 others were also reportedly injured, with some left in critical condition, according to a statement by members of the family. An image posted by @Mustafa3Ahed shows one man being brought to a medical facility on a stretcher.

In cases where sources attributed responsibility for the strike, they held the Israeli military responsible.

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

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Osama Abdel Mohsen Ammar أسامة عبد المحسن عمار
46 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 953822871
Iyad Abdel Mohsen Ammar إياد عبد المحسن عمار
43 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801022344
Ahmed Abdel Mohsen Ammar حمد عبد المحسن عمار
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801560749
Noman Ammar نعمان عمار
Age unknown male killed
Saeed Ammar سعيد عمار
Age unknown male killed

Family members (6)

Osama hani Ammar أسامة هاني عمار
61 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 943743443
Son of Osama ابن أسامة عمار
male injured
Son of Osama ابن أسامة عمار
male injured
Bayan hani Ammar بيان هاني عمار
64 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 943743435
Bushra Ammar بشرى عمار
52 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 910719814
Mays Ammar ميس عمار
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 431570324

Family members (2)

Fahmy Bashir Ammar فهمي بشير عمار
23 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 405993056
Fatima Bashir Ammar فاطمة بشير عمار
16 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 422111476

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of al Kanz mosque (مسجد بلال بن رباح) in Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.519096, 34.447287. 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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2–4 children1 woman6–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: @Mustafa3Ahed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @cloner2004
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: Ahmed Al-Helou
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: Dina
  • 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
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (2–4 children1 woman6–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–17
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]