Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0295

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

طلال السلطان, Tal al Sultan, Rafah , the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.310318, 34.241843 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During the morning of Tuesday, the 17th October 2023, the Israeli Defense Forces allegedly bombed the three-storey residential building belonging to the Abu Salima family, located on First Street in Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood, west of the city of Rafah in the Gaza strip. The strike is reported to have killed at least nine family members, including at least seven children and two women, and injured others.

The airstrike killed a 33-year old mother Lubna Khalil Al-Jamal Abu Salima alongside her five daughters: 10 year old Shatha Bilal Issam Abu Salima, 12 year old Retham Bilal Issam Abu Salima, 9 year old Lana Bilal Issam Abu Salima, 7 year old Maria Bilal Issam Abu Salima, and Habiba Bilal Issam Abu Salima. According to the social media post by Zakariyya Abu Salima, all the girls were children under age of 16. Lubna’s relatives Abdallah Abu Haytham, Mohammed AL Jamal, and Abeer Ismail honoured her memory in social media tributes.

The attack on the Abu Salima family house also took the lives of Lubna’s mother-in-law 67 year old Zainab Ahmed Al-Amoudi Abu Salima and her two granddaughters, 7 year old Janan Attia Khaled Attia and 5 year old Rital Attia Khaled Attia. Canada Kindergarten posted a condolence message on Facebook, writing that “with hearts full of sadness and pain, we mourn the flowers of Kindergarten Canada, the two martyred children / Rital Attia.. Janan Attia (birds in paradise, God willing).” The images of the two young girls in a school uniform were attached to the post. Safe Press Service reported that a man had also been killed in the strike, but this has not been corroborated elsewhere and no identifying information is known.

A Facebook user Fady Rafat posted a video of the immediate aftermath of the strike showing the destroyed building and groups of men trying to pull out victims. Mohammad Ayman Jarbou, Doaa Khaled, and Haitham Ali shared on Facebook images of a large building surrounded by rubble with walls missing and with clouds of smoke arising from it.

Haitham Ali also posted the pictures of rescue efforts and injured people being transported on stretchers. Mohammed Refat Farhat posted a video of a young girl who had been recovered alive, presumably from under the rubble. Gaza News Network reported about the injuries on the site, but the exact number of injured civilians is unknown. Rafah Service Official Account on Facebook shared a video of an injured man on stretchers surrounded by doctors who had just arrived to Kuwaiti hospital.

A social media user Mohamed Hamada commented in a post dedicated to the deceased family members that “My uncle’s wife, Umm Muhammad Abu Salima (Al-Amoudi), passed away. My cousin Bilal’s wife, the entire family, and my cousin’s daughters were subjected to a barbaric bombing of their house in the city of Rafah.” In memory of his family, he also commented “O Lord, bless them with your satisfaction, heal those who remain, and bind our hearts.”

All names but one 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 strike to Israeli military. According to numerous local sources, the attack happened without prior warning.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Zainab Ahmed Al-Amoudi Abu Salima زينب احمد العامودي أبو سليمة
67 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 701187650
Lubna Khalil Al-Jamal Abu Salima لبنى خليل الجمل أبو سليمة
33 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802784645
Shatha Bilal Issam Abu Salima شذا بلال عصام أبو سليمة
10 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 434342119
Reham Bilal Issam Abu Salima ريهام بلال عصام أبو سليمة
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802784645
Lana Bilal Issam Abu Salima لانا بلال عصام أبو سليمة
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 435223458
Maria Bilal Issam Abu Salima ماريا بلال عصام أبو سليمة
7 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 437078918
Habiba Bilal Issam Abu Salima حبيبة بلال عصام أبو سليمة
Child female killed
Janan Attia Khaled Attia جنان عطية خالد عطية
7 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 436938344
Rital Attia Khaled Attia ريتال عطية خالد عطي
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 440687192

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (7 children2 women1 man)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Ayman Jarbou

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

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    Source: Haitham Ali

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    Source: Canada Kindergarten

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    Source: Ehsan Amin

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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Tal al Sultan (طلال السلطان) to the west 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 Tal al Sultan are: 31.310318, 34.241843.

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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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (7 children2 women1 man)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

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.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

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

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 attacker
    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

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    Source: Islam

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    Source: amin

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    Source: Dina

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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.

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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0268

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

مركز الدفاع المدني في حي التفاح, Civil defence center, Al Tuffah, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.506667, 34.471389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 16th October, 2023, at least six men working in the Palestinian civil defense were killed, and another seven employees were injured (two in a critical condition) as a result of an alleged Israeli airstrike on the civil defense center in Al Tufah neighborhood, east of Gaza City. All victims were reportedly providing humanitarian services at the time of attack.

The General Directorate of the Palestinian Civil Defense held a press conference at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza where he accused the Israeli military of directly targeting its headquarters and reported on the death and injuries of its servicemen. The attack killed the director of the center Muhammad Al-Ghaleed (36 years old), two firefighters – Alaa Abu Ghanima and Naji Al-Fayoumi (43 years old) – and three paramedics –  Muhammad Ali, Iyad Salem and Abdul Rahim Abu Al-Bayd (35 years old).

PBS News reported that seven paramedics were killed “as they prepared for a rescue mission” and quoted a video of one of the survivors who said “They targeted a center for ambulances. There are no weapons. There are no militants. There is nothing, nothing but civilians.”

A brother of the killed paramedic Iyad Salem wrote in a Facebook testimony that “he was martyred while doing his duty to save the lives of the injured in Gaza”. A friend of Naji Al-Fayoumi emphasized that the firefighter too was killed while performing his professional duty in civil defense.

One of the paramedics who lost his life in the incident, Muhammad Ali, was a pharmacist. His friend recalled that “he accompanied him for some time in studying pharmacy.”

Some local sources, including there Rafah Health Administration, were earlier reporting about five killed men and two of the injured being in critical condition.

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

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Al-Ghaleed محمد الغليظ
36 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800722894
Alaa Abu Ghanima علاء ابو غنيمة
Adult male killed
Naji Al-Fayoumi ناجي الفيومي
43 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 905267316
Muhammad Musa Ali محمد موسى علي
Adult male killed
Iyad Salem اياد سالم
Adult male killed
Abdul Rahim Abu Bayd عبد الرحيم ابو بيض
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802135574

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (6 men6 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ayman.harazeen.7

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ayman.harazeen.7

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Civil Defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdallah Abo Al Khair

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Remoo Salem

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Al Halabi Abo Islam

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    Source: Abo Adham

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    Source: Khalil Katkat

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khalil Katkat

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    Source: Khalil Katkat

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    Source: Khalil Katkat

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    Source: Khalil Katkat

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    Source: Shareef Abo Al Oun

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    Source: Rafah Health Administration - General Administration of Primary Health Care

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    Source: Rafah Health Administration - General Administration of Primary Health Care

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    Source: Rafah Health Administration - General Administration of Primary Health Care

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    Source: Rafah Health Administration - General Administration of Primary Health Care

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    Source: Rafah Health Administration - General Administration of Primary Health Care

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    Source: Rafah Health Administration - General Administration of Primary Health Care

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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a civil defence headquarters (مركز الدفاع المدني) in the Al Tuffah (التفاح) neighbourhood of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.506667, 34.471389. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • (6 men6 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0243

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

جوار مسجد عبد الله عزام, Vicinity of Abdullah Azzam Mosque, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.545593, 34.525436 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around 8:00 in the morning of Monday, October 16th 2023, a group of civilians were reportedly injured and killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike near Abdullah Azzam Mosque as they were returning to the city of Beit Hanoun.

Shehab News Agency, Al-Ayyam and other local sources reported that ambulances were called to the scene. Although the exact number of the injured civilians was not reported, the photos posted on social media by Shehab Agency and Palestine Now showed at least four injured men being escorted out of ambulances. Only one source, Al-Ayyam News, also reported about killed civilians, but the exact number of the victims is unknown.

According to @ShehabAgency, the strike occurred after Hebrew language press announced that a truce had begun in the morning and people were returning to their homes.

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

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 8:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

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    Source: Palestine now

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    Source: Palestine now

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    Source: Reda Al-Shuwaikhi

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    Source: Reda Al-Shuwaikhi

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    Source: Reda Al-Shuwaikhi

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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Abdullah Azzam Mosque (مسجد عبدالله عزام) to the west of Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.545593, 34.525436. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0248

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

مخيم النصيرات, Nuseirat camp, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.450065, 34.392934 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The morning of Monday, October 16th 2023, at least four civilians were killed – all members from the same family, an elderly woman and three children. At least three others were injured in the alleged Israeli airstrike on the home of Asaad Faraj Allah in Nuseirat camp, Gaza Strip.

Shehab Agency, FactjoTV, al Nour Radio and Palestine Today TV stated that there were injuries in the bombing, while Safa reported on the statement by the Ministry of the Interior which stated “4 martyrs, including 3 children, preliminary toll of occupation aircraft targeting the home of the Faraj Allah family in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.” Dhia Qadoura Qwaider added that a “number of injuries arrived at Al Awda Hospital.” Muhammad Abu al-Adnan, a relative of the family, mourned the deaths of the elderly Fatima Abdel Muti Farajallah, and her grandchildren, the children of her daughter Muselh al-Farajat, adding that the home was destroyed completely in the bombing, “demolishing the houses next to it.” He also stated that Fatima and her family had been displaced from another area. Mohamed Abo Safra listed the names of the three children killed – Laila Saeed Atta Abu Safra (4), her older sister Juri Saeed Atta Abu Safra (5), and her younger brother Amir Saeed Abu Safra (3), with sources on social media including images of the young children shrouded in white cloth, and adding that three injured people arrived at the al-Aqsa Hospital.

All 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.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Fatema Abdel Moati Faraj Allah فاطمة عبد المعطي فرج الله
58 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 962166773
Layla Said Ata Abo Safra ليلى سعيد عطا أبو صفرة
4 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 443120241
Jouri Said Ata Abo Safra جوري سعيد عطا أبو صفرة
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 440416337
Amir Said Ata Abo Safra جوري سعيد عطا أبو صفرة
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445191588

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Abu Al-Adnan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Abu Al-Adnan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Abu Al-Adnan

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Nuseirat (النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.450065, 34.392934. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0253

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

طلال السلطان, Tal al Sultan, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.310318, 34.241843 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Monday, October 16 2023, between 10 to 11 civilians, including at least four women and at least three children, were killed and between 24 and 30 were wounded in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the homes of the Okal, Hijazi and al-Shaer families, in northwest Rafah.

Safah news reported on “dozens of martyrs and wounded” as a result of the bombing, while a source on social media described it as a “very large massacre.” Sources on social media including Waleed and Yabark Rafah shared powerful images and videos of the wounded, which included pictures of at least three heavily wounded children and a video of doctors desperate attempts to revive a wounded child. Ayyam News detailed that the bombing was “sudden”, causing “the death of eight martyrs, about 30 wounded, and the loss of a number of others.” Al Mayadeen news cited a statement by the Ministry of Interior in Gaza where they noted the bombing of the Okal and al-Shaer family homes in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, attributing the strikes to Israeli forces.

Manal Hijazi, a possible relative, detailed the names of the victims who were killed in the bombing – “the freed prisoner” Akram Muhammad Hamdan Hijazi (Abu Hajar) whom other sources called the “great Fatah leader”. His wife Reem Muhammad Abdel Razzaq Hijazi, three of their children Muhammad Akram Muhammad Hijazi, Imad Akram Muhammad Hijazi, and Nour Akram Muhammad Hijazi, Reem’s mother Fatima Hamdan Hussein Okal, Mona Mahmoud Okal (wife of Adila), their neighbor Abdul Karim Ali Muhammad al-Shaer, and his wife Ruwayda Ibrahim Salem al-Shaer. Feras al-Shaer mourned the death of Abdul, who was a Professor, and Ruwayda, as well the death of Ammar Muhammad Ali al-Shaer, whom another source refers to as “the poet”. Sources also mention the death of an unnamed cousin of Akram Hijazi, with Ahmad Adam adding that the “number of wounded is 24.” Pictures of two of the killed children in their athletic uniforms, Imad and Muhammad, were shared by their sports academy, saying “the stars of Score Academy in Rafah.”A possible relative of the family penned a prayer and tribute for their loved ones killed in the bombing, saying “May God have mercy on you and make your abode paradise/You broke me and broke my heart/I swear it’s early, my brother-in-law/It’s early, my heart, Umm Hajar, I swear it’s early/My beloved ones are gone.”

A tweet from @Hamzaalnamla1 referred to the location of the strike as occurring “near Al-Massa Hall, northwest of Rafah” and mentioned that the victims of the strike were “among the displaced”. Another source stated that the bombing was “inside the Tal Al-Sultan 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.

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

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdulkarim Ali Mohmmad Al Shaer عبدالكريم محمد الشاعر
58 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 903376861
Ruwayda Ibrahim Salem Al Shaer رويدة ابراهيم سالم الشاعر
44 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 903082972
Ammar Al Shaer عمار الشاعر
male killed

Family members (7)

Akram Mohammad Hamdan Hijazi أكرم محمد حمدان حجازي
51 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 980188668
Reem Abdulrazaq Hijazi ريم عبدالرزاق حجازي
45 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 900550682
Mohammad Akram Hijazi محمد أكرم حجازي
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 436934558
Nour Akram Hijazi نور أكرم حجازي
11 years old female Matched to MoH ID 433343183
Imad Akram Mohammad Hijazi عماد أكرم محمد حجازي
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429565609
Fatema Hamdan Hussein Okal فاطمة حمدان حسين عوكل
79 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 905540829
Mona Mahmoud Okal منى محمود عوكل
37 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 412300220

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (3 children4 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–30
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (38) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Hamzaalnamla1

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yabark Rafah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yabark Rafah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yabark Rafah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yabark Rafah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yabark Rafah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hijazi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Zoroub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Zoroub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Zoroub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mäħmoúḑ Abo Nisreen

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mäħmoúḑ Abo Nisreen

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mäħmoúḑ Abo Nisreen

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mäħmoúḑ Abo Nisreen

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Manal Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Manal Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Zoroub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hasan Ouka'l

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Adam

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Tabasi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Tabasi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Tabasi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kamel Gharib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kamel Gharib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Shaer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mosa Ryan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mosa Ryan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al shaar

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Al-Shaer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Feras Al Shaer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Feras Al Shaer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Feras Al Shaer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Tal al Sultan (طلال السلطان) to the west 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 Tal al Sultan are: 31.310318, 34.241843.

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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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (3 children4 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–30
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0244

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

الزيتون, Al Zeitoun, Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.485479, 34.444885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 16th 2023 at least three people – 37 year old journalist Abdulhadi Habib, his mother-in-law, 54 year old Buthina Al Tatar, and her grandchild, three year old Amer Bilal Al-Tatar, were killed by an alleged Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment in the Zaytoun neighborhood in eastern Gaza. Multiple sources agree that family members of Abdulhadi Habib were also injured during the airstrike, with injuries ranging from moderate to severe. The exact details of those injured is unknown.

Palestinians of Iraq’s Facebook post reported that on October 16, 2023 the neighbourhoods of Zaytoun and Al-Shujaiya were subject to a sustained, eight hour aerial bombardment. Most sources agree that it was during this time that Abdulhadi Habib’s residential apartment was hit – allegedly by an Israeli airstrike.

Abdulhadi Habib was a journalist for the UNRWA Education Television. The Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, has made a statement on the incident. She described the death of the UNRWA journalist as deplorable, and renewed calls for parties to respect the UN Security Council Resolution 2222/2015 which protects journalists during conflict. Audrey Azoulay called for a “full independent investigation” into the death of Abdulhadi Habib.

Muhammad Abu Sharka, a colleague of Abdulhadi, described their time working together: “We covered dozens of events together. We shared the difficult moments, the pressure of work, staying up for long hours, tears, and food. His smile was always present, and his comments alleviated the hardship of work.” Another of his former colleagues, journalist Israa Al-Mudalallal, added that Abdulhadi’s wife had just given birth to a baby girl on the first day of the conflict.

Friends and family members of the victims posted condolence messages, including Yahya Z. Tatars who memorialized their aunt “mother of Mustafa Sarsour”, her daughter (which may indicate that Abdulhadi’s wife was also killed), and their cousin Amer Bilal Al-Tatar.

Airwars has matched all of the names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. A post by Mohamed Yousif specified that the bombing occurred without warning.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdulhadi Habib عبدالهادي حبيب
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801512716
Buthina Al Tatar (Sarsour) بثينة تتر
54 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 922861372
Amer Bilal Al Tatar عامر بلال تتر
3 years old male 444896674 killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man1 journalist)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinians of Iraq website

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinians of Iraq website

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinians of Iraq website

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khaled Habib

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Ameeraljid1

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Abu Sharka

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Salam al hak Tarik's mother

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Zeitoun (الزيتون) neighbourhood of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.485479, 34.444885. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man1 journalist)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0240

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

محيط دوار درابيه, Vicinity of the Darabiyah roundabout, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.536337, 34.455786 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around 22:30 on Monday, October 16th, 2023, at least four people were reportedly killed, including a pregnant woman and her child, and at least one other injured as a result of an alleged Israeli airstrike on the house belonging to the Siam family near the Darabiyah roundabout in the Al-Nasr neighborhood, west of Gaza City.

Many local sources including @ShehabAgency and a Facebook post by Donia Alwatan Facebook reported that a number of civilians were killed and injured as a result of the bombing, but none provided a specific figure. Twitter/X users @abunabil96 and @paltoday_tv reported about calls for an ambulance to go to the house in the vicinity of Darabiyah roundabout.

A Facebook post from Salloum Huwaiti wished condolences to their nephew Karam Darwish on the death of his pregnant wife (from the Siam family) and their daughter, and her family relatives who were killed. References to ‘relatives’ in the plural means Airwars has estimated a death toll of at least two additional civilians killed alongside Karam Darwish’s wife and child.

The Siam family-Al-Zaytoun neighborhood Facebook account wrote that Ahmed Jamil Siam was injured after being hit by shrapnel from a missile. The post also included an image of Ahmed with his head wrapped in a bandage and stated that he is now safe.

Where sources identified a belligerent, they attributed the strike to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 10:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Wife of Karam Darwish
Adult female pregnant killed
Daughter of Karam Darwish
female killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Jamil Siam أحمد جميل صيام
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Osama Abu Anas

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Osama Abu Anas

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Siam family - Al-Zaytoun neighborhood

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Darabiyah roundabout (دوار درابيه) in the west of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.536337, 34.455786. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (15) [ collapse]