Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0256

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

جحر الديك, Juhor al Dik, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.458639, 34.440524 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Monday, October 16th, 2023, alleged Israeli artillery shelling struck the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) residential towers, situated in Juhr al-Dik, northeast of al-Wusta in central Gaza, reportedly killing at least three children, with an unknown number of injuries and individuals trapped under the rubble.

In response, a Facebook post by Khamis Hussein urgently appealed to the Civil Defense for assistance in the rescue of civilians. While Mustafa Ahmad posted a picture documenting the bombardment, BAN Indonesia extended their condolences to the family of the victims, sharing video footage of one father bidding farewell to his child after being carried to al-Ahly al-Arabi Hospital (al-Mamadani) in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. One source, Safa News, described the children as arriving “in pieces”. @PalinfoAr reported “injuries” but did not specify how many. No other details were available about the identity of the deceased or the condition of the injured civilians.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces. Sources were conflicted as to whether the bombing was artillery or by military aircraft.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Juhor al Dik (جحر الديك), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.458639, 34.440524. 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 infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mustafa Ahmad
  • 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]