Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

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Incident Code

PALIS024

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

رمات غان, Ramat Gan, Israel

Geolocation

32.081325, 34.818636 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 55-year-old man was killed, and six others wounded when a rocket fired from Gaza struck the Ramat Gan neighbourhood of Tel Aviv in the early afternoon on May 15th, 2021, according to local and international media reports. Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the attack.

The man was named as Gershon Franco by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which added that he was laid to rest at the Yarn cemetery in Petah Tikva.  On May 28th, 2021 Haaretz reported that Mr Franco had died as a result of wounds to his upper body and neck.

Magen David Adom paramedic, Lior Mermelstein, told Walla News: “When we arrived at the scene, we saw destruction and damage to buildings on the street. We went from door to door with large MDA forces and conducted searches in the apartments, in one of which we located a 50-year-old man unconscious. We performed medical tests to give him medical treatment, but after the resuscitation operations he was pronounced dead.” @Mdais also added that the six people who were injured had “light” injuries.

An article by the Dhi Qar Agency describes four holes in the door of Gershon apartment from the shrapnel that resulted in his death. Channel 12 news reported that the man did not have a protected area in his home and was unable to reach a bomb shelter in time.

Haaretz provided information about the victim, Gershon, that he was sick with cancer and was deemed 100% disabled. At one point, his federal allowance was not enough and he was homeless until his friends found him the apartment he was killed in, referred to as a “shack”, which was previously used for storing tools.

Naftali Cohen, Franco’s friend, told Haaretz, “He lived in it only because he didn’t want to sleep on the street. At least he had a shower and a bed – the rest we were able to arrange. He didn’t interest the welfare authorities. He appealed to them a million times. I told him we would go to the Housing Ministry and he said, ‘Naftali, help me. I have no strength to fight.’ No one listened to him.”

The mayor of Ramat Gan, Carmel Shama HaCohen, told Ynet that “if that resident had followed the Home Front Command’s instructions, even though he did not have a security guard in his housing unit, he would have survived.” However, his sister refuted this claim, saying that “He was 100% disabled with many medical problems, including severe leg pain, and they may have prevented him from running to the shelter during the alarm yesterday. No one cared what he was dealing with.”

According to the Jewish News Syndicate “a rocket landed in the middle of an adjacent street, causing serious damage to surrounding storefronts and dozens of apartments. The blast also caused a car parked on the street to go up in flames”. @Istanbultelaviv added that the rocket attack led 48 families to evacuate to hotels.

Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the rocket attack, posting in their Telegram channel at 11:29 that “Al-Qassam Brigades is now launching a missile strike on Tel Aviv with dozens of missiles in response to the Shati refugee camp massacre against women, children and the safe” and by 12:17 posted that “the enemy admits the killing of an occupier, the wounding of others, and the infliction of great damage in the recent Qassam bombing of Tel Aviv”.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Gershon Franco
55 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (44) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (37) [ collapse]

  • Translated caption reads: This is what the rockets did, and the attack in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv today (via @ShehabAgency)
  • Image shows damage caused by a rocket attack on May 15th, 2021. A man died in the incident (image via @ShehabAgency)
  • A man was killed in the Ramat Gan neighbourhood of Tel Aviv after a rocket struck the area. Image shows some of the damage (image via @ShehabAgency)
  • Image shared in relation to the May 15th, 2021 rocket attack in a Tel Aviv neighbourhood (image via @MohamdNashwan)
  • Rocket attack caused damage in a Tel Aviv neighbourhood. A 55-year-old man identified as Gershon Franco was killed and six others injured (image via @MohamdNashwan)
  • Fires can be seen in the image which was shared in relation to a rocket attack in an Israeli neighbourhood on May 15th, 2021. The neighbourhood sustained damage as a result, a civilian man was killed and up to six civilians injured (image via @qudsn)
  • Translated caption reads: #Photo of the great damage to an apartment in Ramat Gan due to the rockets and missiles fired from Gaza (image via @PalinfoAr)
  • Image appears to show a body covered in material. Shared in relation to the rocket attack in Ramot Gan on May 15th, 2021 that killed Gershon Franco (image via Walid Mohammed Al Hasan)
  • Image caption reads: Got up to my apartment roof where Israeli media are shooting live scenes of the devastation from the Gaza rocket that slammed into the middle of the street in Ramat Gan, killing a 50-year-old man (image via @JoshMarks78)
  • Image caption reads: You can see the strength of the rocket that hit Ramat Gan killing a 55-year old man. 48 families were evacuated to hotels. The rocket hit in middle of the road (via @Istanbultelaviv)
  • A rocket fired from Gaza struck the Ramat Gan neighbourhood of Tel Aviv in the early afternoon on May 15th, 2021. Image shows some of the damage (image via @Stone_SkyNews)
  • Image from the Ramat Gan neighbourhood where a rocket struck killing a civilian and injuring six others (image via @Stone_SkyNews)
  • Image showing the funeral of Gershon Franco who was killed in a May 15th, 2021 rocket attack in Ramot Gan. Caption reads: Four holes in the wooden door to his flat mark where shrapnel from a Hamas rocket hit Gershon Franco’s home & killed him (image via @patrickkingsley)
  • Image shows damage caused by a rocket attack on May 15th, 2021. A man died in the incident (image via @ShehabAgency)
  • Rockets launched from Gaza struck buildings around Ramat Gan in Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @MohamdNashwan)
  • Rescue crews work to put out fires caused by strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Image appears to show a funeral. Shared in relation to the rocket attack in Ramot Gan on May 15th, 2021 that killed Gershon Franco (image via Walid Mohammed Al Hasan)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Dhi Qar Agency)
  • MDA medics are responding to rocket which fell in central Israel Ramat Gan which struck a residential area. (Image posted by @Mdais)
  • MDA medics are responding to rocket which fell in central Israel Ramat Gan which struck a residential area. (Image posted by @Mdais)
  • MDA medics are responding to rocket which fell in central Israel Ramat Gan which struck a residential area. (Image posted by @Mdais)
  • Cleaning up damage from rocket that fell on Ramat Gan just outside Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @Stone_SkyNews)
  • Cleaning up damage from rocket that fell on Ramat Gan just outside Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Walla News)
  • Gershon Franco, in his 50s, was killed in Hamas rocket attacks on Ramat Gan on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Ynet)
  • The "shack" that Gershon Franco lived in when he was killed by shrapnel from a rocket on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Haaretz)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the Ramat Gan (רמת גן) neighbourhood of Tel Aviv (תל אביב). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 32.081325, 34.818636.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the Ramat Gan (רמת גן) neighbourhood of Tel Aviv (תל אביב).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Image from Google Street view matches those from sources.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    6

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

11:29
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades is now launching a missile strike on Tel Aviv with dozens of missiles in response to the Shati refugee camp massacre against women, children and the safe.

11:58
The effects of the Qassam bombing on the Ramat Gan area in Tel Aviv

12:12
Al-Qassam Brigades renews its shelling of Tel Aviv with a missile launch

12:17
The enemy admits the killing of a rapist, the wounding of others, and the infliction of great damage in the recent Qassam bombing of Tel Aviv

Media
from belligerent (2) [ collapse]

  • "The effects of the Qassam bombing on the Ramat Gan area in Tel Aviv" (Image posted by Al Qassam on Telegram)
  • "The effects of the Qassam bombing on the Ramat Gan area in Tel Aviv" (Image posted by Al Qassam on Telegram)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (44) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT001

Incident date

May 10, 2021

Location

شارع المصريين, Al Masryeen Street, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.534080, 34.549485 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians (mostly from one family) were killed, and as many as 18 people were injured, in an alleged Israeli artillery strike on the Al Dhahra area in eastern Beit Hanoun on May 10th, 2021. The Israeli military however reportedly denied responsibility for the strike, claiming that the deaths were caused by a Palestinian rocket launch that went awry.

At least four of the dead were children from the al-Masri family. They were identified by a cousin, 14-year-old Ibrahim, as brothers Ibrahim and Marwan and their cousins Rahaf and Yazan. Another family member, 22-year-old Ahmed, died the following day from injuries sustained in the blast. Ahmed was due to be married in less than a week.

A further two children were also reported to have been killed in the same incident, with Defence for Children – Palestine naming 11-year-old Hussein Muneer Hussein Hamad and 16-year-old Ibrahim Abdullah Mohammad Hassanain as among the dead. AFP interviewed Hamad’s father at his funeral, who said the al Masri family were their neighbours.

Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights, alongside two other sources, also named Mohammed Ali Mohammed Nusseir as a victim of the strike. He was aged between 20 and 24 years of age. The Israeli Defense Forces listed Nusseir as “eliminated” by IDF forces and referred to him as “active in the terrorist organization Hamas”. However, Jalal, Nusseir’s brother, told Human Rights Watch that Nusseir did not belong to an armed group. According to his brother, Nusseir made an income buying and selling barley from a horse and cart and the al-Masri family were a regular supplier of his. Two people interviewed for the report said that one of the reasons so many children were killed in the strike was that they had crowded around Nusseir’s horse when it arrived at the al-Masri homes.

On July 27th 2021, Human Rights Watch published a report in which they said “an Israeli-guided missile” struck the residence of the al-Masri family in Beit Hanoun on May 10th. As part of their investigation, Human Rights Watch visited the location on three occasions and interviewed seven members of the al-Masri family, including three relatives of two people also killed in the strike. Interviewees told Human Rights Watch the attack happened shortly after 6 p.m. when family members were packing processed barley into sacks to sell to Mohammed Nusseir.

Ibrahim, the al-Masri cousin, witnessed the incident. According to his account to AFP, two of the boys had been filling sacks of straw to sell at a livestock market when the strike hit. Along with his cousins he was putting the sacks onto a cart at the time. “We were laughing and having fun, when suddenly they began to bomb us, everything around us caught fire,” he said. “I saw my cousins set alight, and torn into pieces.”

Four of those interviewed by Human Rights Watch said they saw the missile approach moments before the strike. Mohammed Attallah’s son, Mohammed Mohammed said: “I was with my brothers, packing barley into sacks. Suddenly, I saw something coming toward us from the east. When I first saw it, it was high in the air. Then it gradually descended as it came in our direction. It exploded about one meter from the ground. Something hit me in the eye, the abdomen, and legs. I flew into the air and landed on the ground. I didn’t lose consciousness. I saw that my brother Ahmed, my sister Rahaf, and my nephew Yazan were dead. Their bodies were all torn up. It was awful.” Ihsan al-Zaneen 29, who was sitting outside her parents’ house when the attack happened, said he saw “a missile” coming through the air “from the east” prior to the explosion. Ahed Hassanein, 12, who was standing on the roof of his house at the time said he saw a “big mass come from the Nahal Oz area” in Israel, an area about 7.5 kilometers southeast of Beit Hanoun, before it exploded nearby. Ghassan al-Masri, 24 , who was injured in the attack, said that he was facing east when he saw something coming from the southeast that was “flying low and quietly towards the group which then exploded in the air close to the ground.”

Human Rights Watch said remnants of the munition, photographed on the morning of May 11th, indicate that the weapon used was a type of guided missile. The lack of an impact crater also suggested the munition detonated in mid-air.

Youssef al-Masri, the father of brothers Ibrahim and Marwan, said the strike had been targeting a motorcycle that was passing by. “The children were playing with their cousins in front of the house when a man on a motorcycle passed by, and the occupation targeted him twice.” Al-Masri added, “I cannot find any justification whatsoever for targeting someone passing through overcrowded civilian neighbourhoods where dozens of children usually play.”

Other sources asserted that the strike hit a house, which Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights said belonged to Attallah Al-Masri. This included Haaretz, which were told by witnesses that the children had been playing close to their house in a plaza which was around 800 metres from the border fence. Human Rights Watch concluded that damage caused to two of the four al-Masri houses occurred after the attack on May 10th.

While the accounts differed slightly, none appeared to be contradictory. A neighbour of the Al Masri family, Ahmed Nasser, described the chaos of the scene to a Middle East Eye reporter. “We were preparing for Iftar, and children and youths were sitting in the neighbourhood, before a massive explosion, followed by another one, suddenly rocked the street,” he said. “I ran out to the street and the scene was horrific. Children were killed and young men were bleeding. Mothers were crying and screaming while the [targeted] motorcycle and its driver were on fire.”

Middle East Eye reported eyewitnesses telling them the airstrikes hit “crowded neighbourhoods after armed Palestinian groups at the eastern Gaza border targeted an Israeli military vehicle with a Kornet missile, and launched a barrage of rockets towards Israel.” Four witnesses, interviewed by Human Rights Watch, said that shortly before the attack they had heard one or more munitions being launched into Israel from Gaza. However, Human Rights Watch said they found no evidence that any of the victims were combatants, nor were there any military target at or near the site of the strike.

Eighteen other residents were reportedly injured in the incident, among them a woman and 10 children, Haaretz and Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights reported. Medical staff at Beit Hanoun said three of the victims were in a serious condition, while the others sustained light to moderate injuries. Three additional houses were reportedly damaged.

Additional members of the al-Masri family were identified as among the injured by Facebook user Kamil AJ  – Othman Issa Othman Al-Masri, Israa Rafiq Fayek Al-Masri and Ghassan Muhammad Atallah Al-Masri, alongside Nabil Muhammad Hani Shabat, Hani Mohamed Hani Shabat, Jamil Muhammad Hani Shabat, Hossam Ali Mahmoud Naseer and Mahmoud Hussam Ali Naseer.

Family members expressed their devastation to reporters following the strike. Ibrahim al-Masri, the cousin who witnessed the incident said, “Why did they leave me? I would have wanted to die as a martyr like them.” Abu Hussein Hamad, the father of Hamad, sobbed to reporters that he’d promised to buy him new shoes for the Eid celebrations. “What did this innocent child do?” he asked.

While almost all sources blamed an Israeli targeted strike for the civilian deaths, the Times of Israel – citing Channel 12 News – asserted that “the IDF is denying responsibility for the kids’ deaths, saying they were killed in a rocket launch at Israel that went awry.” And YNET reported that “The IDF claims that intelligence tests conducted during the day show that six Gazan children were killed with certainty by failed launches by Palestinian Islamic Jihad since the beginning of the escalation round.”

The ages for the children differed. Yazan was reported by one source as three months old but most identified him as two-years-old, while Marwan was aged between seven and ten and Ibrahim between 11 and 14.

The New York Times shared an image of Ibrahim al-Masri, which Defence for Children International – Palestine said was Ibrahim Abdullah Mohammad Hassanain, who also died in this incident. It is unclear which source is correct.

The organization, NGO Monitor, said discrepancies in reporting on the type of munition used in the strike by the likes of PCHR, Al Haq and Al Mezan strongly suggested the casualties were the result of a Palestinian rocket that fell short inside Gaza.

The incident occured at approximately 6:10 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Yazan al-Masri يزن المصري
2 years old male Yazan's cousins Rahaf, Ibrahim and Marwan was also killed killed
Rahaf al-Masri رهف المصري
10 years old female Rahaf was a cousin to Yazan, Marwan and Ibrahim killed
Marwan al-Masri مروانالمصري
7 years old male Marwan was a brother to Ibrahim and a cousin to Yazan and Rahaf killed
Ibrahim al-Masri ابراهيم المصري
11 years old Ibrahim was Marwan's brother and cousin to Yazan and Rahaf. This photo comes from the New York Times. Defence for Children - Palestine used an image of a different child who the New York Times calls Ibrahim Abdullah Mohammad Hassanain, another child killed in the strike killed
Ahmed al-Masri احمد المصري
22 years old male Ahmed al-Masri was reportedly due to get married the following week killed
Othman Issa Othman Al-Masri عثمان مي عثمان المصري
Age unknown male A source listed three injured people with the al-Masri name injured
Israa Rafiq Fayek Al-Masri اسراء رفيق فايق المصري
Age unknown female A source listed three injured people with the al-Masri name injured
Ghassan Muhammad Atallah Al-Masri غسان محمد عطا الله المصري
Age unknown male Ghassan Al-masri, 22, rests at the Shifa hospital in Gaza City, May 13, 2021, where he is being treated for injuries caused by a May 10 Israeli strike that hit a near his home in the town of Beit Hanoun. (AP) injured
Ihsan Al-Masri إحسان المصري
Age unknown female Ihsan Al-Masri, 24, left, rests at the Shifa hospital in Gaza City, May 13, 2021, as her son plays on a mobile phone on the bed next to her. She was injured in a May 10 Israeli strike that hit a near her home. injured

The victims were named as:

Hussein Muneer Hussein Hamad حسين منير حسين حمد
11 years old male Hamad’s father told AFP that they were neighbours with the al-Masri family killed
Ibrahim Abdullah Mohammad Hassanain ابراهيم عبدالله محمد حسنين
16 years old killed
Mahmoud Hussam Ali Naseer محمود حسام علي نصير
Age unknown male injured
Hossam Ali Mahmoud Naseer حسام علي محمود نصير
Age unknown male injured
Nabil Muhammad Hani Shabat نبيل محمد هاني شبات
Age unknown injured
Hani Mohamed Hani Shabat هاني محمد هاني شبات
Age unknown injured
Jamil Muhammad Hani Shabat جميل محمد هاني شبات
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3–6 children1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–18
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (50) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption includes list of victims killed in the strike (via @falastinalqadia)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translated caption: Martyrs of our family, may God have mercy on them (via Jad Al Masry on Facebook)
  • Translated caption: Martyrs of our city, Beit Hanoun, may God have mercy on them (via Facebook post from Bassam Hamdan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image showing the victims of the May 10th, 2021 strike in northern Gaza Strip ( via @TRTArabi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A Palestinian mother mourns for her two children killed during Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, at the morgue of Beit Hanoun Hospital on May 10, 2021 (via Anadolu Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translated caption: Pictures from Beit Hanoun after the Israeli raids that killed 9 Palestinians, including 3 children, in the Gaza Strip (via @TRTArabi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo caption: Jerusalem is calling and Gaza responds ‌9 martyrs, most of them children, and a number of injuries to Beit Hanoun Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip (via @_Y9PHY)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translated caption: Jerusalem is calling and Gaza responds ‌9 martyrs, most of them children, and a number of injuries to Beit Hanoun Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip (via @_Y9PHY_ )

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translated caption: Jerusalem is calling and Gaza responds ‌9 martyrs, most of them children, and a number of injuries to Beit Hanoun Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip (via @_Y9PHY_ )

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image shows injured child receiving treatment, shared in relation to the May 10th, 2021 strike in northern Gaza (via @_Y9PHY_ )

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image showing child being carried to safety. Shared in relation to the strike on the strike on May 10th, 2021 in Beit Hanoun
  • Three sources named Mohammed Ali Mohammed Nuseir as among the dead from the May 10th, 2021 strike in Beit Hanoun (image via @fidaazaanin)
  • Image of Hussein Muneer Hussein Hamad who was killed in the May 11th, 2021 strike in Beit Hanoun (via @fidaazaanin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image caption: A Palestinian mother mourns for her two children killed during Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, at the morgue of Beit Hanoun Hospital, in Beit Hanoun, Gaza on May 10th, 2021 (via Anadolu Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Caption reads: Palestinian man pushes a bloody stretcher as wounded Palestinians are being brought to Indonesian Hospital to receive medical treatment after Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, on May 10th, 2021 in Beit Lahia, Gaza (via Anadolu Agency A source reported that victims from the May 10th, 2021 Beit Hanoun strike were taken the Indonesian hospital. Beit Lahia is close to Beit Hanoun
  • Image caption reads: A woman reacts as wounded Palestinians are being brought to Indonesian Hospital to receive medical treatment after Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, on May 10, 2021 in Beit Lahia, Gaza. At least 20 Palestinians, including 9 children, were killed in the Gaza Strip (via Anadolu Agency )

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded Palestinian kid is being brought to Indonesian Hospital to receive medical treatment after Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip on May 10th, 2021. A source noted that some victims of the Beit Hanoun strike were taken to this hospital (via Anadolu Agency)
  • Image shows relatives mourning for children killed in the May 10th, 2021 incident at the morgue of Beit Hanoun Hospital (via Anadolu Agency)
  • Image shows someone receiving medical treatment at Indonesian Hospital after an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip, on May 10th, 2021 in Beit Lahia, the caption states (via Anadolu Agency). Correspondent from Russia Today noted that some of the injured from the Beit Hanoun strike on May 10th, 2021 were taken to this hospital
  • Scene from the Indonesian hospital on May 10th, 2021 (via Anadolu Agency)
  • Image shows two of the children killed in the May 10th, 2021 strike in Beit Hanoun in the hospital morgue (via Anadolu Agency)
  • The New York Times shared this image reportedly showing Ibrahim Abdullah Mohammad Hassanain. However Defence for Children International - Palestine showed an image of different child they claimed was Hassanian. It's unclear which is correct
  • Hussein Hamad was also killed in the same blast as the al-Masri family members on May 10th, 2021 in Beit Hanoun (Photo provided by his family to Defence for Children - Palestine)
  • Caption translation: The martyr Ahmed Muhammad Atallah Al-Masri, 20 years old (via @fidaazaanin)
  • Marwan al-Masri was killed in the May 10th, 2021 incident in Beit Hanoun alongside his brother and two cousins (via The New York Times)
  • Rahaf al-Masri, 10, was killed on May 10th, 2021 in Beit Hanoun (photo shared by her family with The New York Times)
  • The New York Times shared this image which they said showed Ibrahim al-Masri, who died in the alleged Israeli airstrike in Beit Hanoun on May 10th, 2021. Defence for Children International - Palestine said this photo showed Ibrahim Abdullah Mohammad Hassanain, another child who died in the same incident. It is unclear which source is correct.
  • Yazan al-Masri was killed on May 10th, 2021 in the alleged Israeli strike in Beit Hanoun. His family shared this photo with Defence for Children - Palestine
  • Eliminated Mohammad Ali Nusseir Active in the terrorist organization Hamas Eliminated as part of Operation Wall Guard

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on Al Masryeen Street (شارع المصريين) in Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.534080, 34.549485.

  • Reports of the incident mention a strike on Al Masryeen Street (شارع المصريين) in Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون).

    Imagery:
    Soar

  • Tagged visual evidence from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Hakeam_shateila

  • Tagged visual evidence from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Hakeam_shateila

  • Tagged visual evidence from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Hakeam_shateila

  • Tagged visual evidence from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Hakeam_shateila

  • Tagged visual evidence from sources

    Imagery:
    @Hakeam_shateila

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

Eliminated

Mohammad Ali Nusseir

Active in the terrorist organization Hamas

Eliminated as part of Operation Wall Guard

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • Eliminated Mohammad Ali Nusseir Active in the terrorist organization Hamas Eliminated as part of Operation Wall Guard

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (3–6 children1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–18
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (50) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS028

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

جنوب اسرائيل, Ohad, Israel

Geolocation

31.237596, 34.431781 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two Thai nationals were killed, and as many as 20 people injured, when a rocket reportedly fired by the Al-Qassam Brigades struck an agricultural packaging plant in the town of Ohad, in southern Israel on May 18th, 2021, according to local reports.

The Al Qassam Brigade released a statement claiming responsibility for the strike in their Telegram channel: “The missile strike, which led to the death of 2 and the wounding of 20 others, was directed by the Al-Qassam Brigades towards the “Ohad” moshav within the Mtiftim complex in the Eshkol Regional Council, in which Q20 missiles were used.”

Two foreign workers, Weerawat Karunborirak, 44, and Sikharin Sangamram, 24, were on a break with colleagues when their residential compound was struck, said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both were killed in the strike.

Police said the strike injured eight others, including one seriously and one moderately, according to the Time of Israel. The Magen David Adom ambulance service said the injured were transferred to Soroka Hospital by ambulance and helicopter. Images published by Ynet show that at least one woman was among the injured. On May 21st, 2021 the Bangkok Post reported that one man, Attarachai Thamkaew, 28, was still in hospital following the incident.

Weerawat Karunborirak arrived in Israel in 2018 with the intention of earning enough money to build a home for his family in Thailand, the construction of which ended before he had a chance to live in it, reported the Bangkok Post. Mr Karunborirak’s wife said her husband would call home twice a day, when he did not call on Tuesday she became worried and subsequently learned of his death through a friend. “I was shocked and I am still confused. I really don’t know what to do,” Ms Ruenrat told the Post.

Sikharin Sangamram, a husband and father of four, had recently arrived in the country; he had worked at the plant in Ohad for three days before he was killed, reported Haaretz.

A spokesperson for the Eshkol Regional Council said the workers had had access to a portable domed bomb shelter but had chosen not to use it, while Haaretz reported the shelters provided were too small to accommodate all of the workers on the site. Walla News quoted a Thai worker, interviewed by the BBC, who said that prior to the strike there had been no warning alarm.

The strike is believed to have taken place at noon.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Weerawat Karunborirak
44 years old male killed
Sikharin Sangamram
24 years old male killed
Attarachai Thamkaew
28 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • ashkubit.com Rescue Union spokesperson via [ashkubit.com]
  • Weerawat Karunborirak's widow is seen with a pictures of her late husband. Image courtesy of Ynet
  • People wounded in the rocket strike on Ohad arrive at Soroka Hospital (Photo: Herzl Yosef visa Ynet)
  • The scene of the strike (Photo: AP via Ynet)
  • Relatives of the two workers killed by a rocket in Moshav Ohad hold their pictures. From Thailand's state television Footage Photograph: Thai PBS World
  • The Q20 missile that was used in the Qassam missile strike on the Moshav "Ohad" within the Muftahim compound in the Eshkol Regional Council, which led to the killing of 2 and the wounding of 20 others. (Image posted by @amansouraja)
  • Damage to vehicles and fire caused by Qassam missile strike on the Moshav "Ohad" within the Muftahim compound in the Eshkol Regional Council. (Image posted by @Abu_Obeida0)
  • The moment the #Qassam Brigades were targeted with missiles, the settlement of Ohad, in the Mfathim complex
  • This led to the death of 2 and the wounding of 20.. The Qassam missile strike with Q20 rockets on Moshav “# Ohad” in the Miftaim complex in Eshkol, which is about 10 km from the fleeting wire
  • #See It led to the killing of 2 and wounding of 20.. The Qassam missile strike with Q20 missiles on the Moshav "Ohad" in the Mtifhim complex in Ashkol, which is about 10 km from the fleeting wire

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ohad (אוהד), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.237596, 34.431781. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    2
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    20

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

13:32
The missile strike, which led to the death of 2 and the wounding of 20 others, was directed by the Al-Qassam Brigades towards the "Ohad" moshav within the Mtiftim complex in the Eshkol Regional Council, in which Q20 missiles were used.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (49) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS006

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

اسدود, Ashdod, Israel

Geolocation

31.785006, 34.629761 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Palestinian rocket struck a private home in the city of Ashdod, southern Israel on May 11th, 2021 injuring between two and nine civilians, including a child, according to local reports.

Ashdod Net said rescue workers and staff at the Assuta Hospital attended to nine patients with minor injuries, including one child.

@manniefabian reported that there were “2 light injuries according to initial reports”.

The strike came as part of a wave of rocket attacks against the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. Police announced that two rockets had struck the city of Ashdod according to Emanuel Fabia, a journalist with The Times of Israel. There were reports of as many as 11 casualties reaching hospitals in the city of Ashdod however it was not possible to say which strikes these casualties were attributed to, and so are not included in this assessment.

Ashdod Net uploaded a video from the scene of the alleged strike which showed extensive damage to the interior of a building.

The incident is believed to have taken place in the late afternoon. Various sources alleged that the rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip and by the “resistance”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @aljarmaqnet)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Destruction to a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ashdodnet News)

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Ashdod (אשדוד). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these exact coordinates: 31.785006, 34.629761.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Ashdod (אשדוד).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @manniefabian

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @aljarmaqnet

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0279

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

مخيم البريج, Bureij camp, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.437934, 34.403857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 17th 2023, an unknown number of casualties were reported in a possible strike on the family home of Lal Al-Salhi in Block 2 of the Al-Bureij camp in Gaza.

While numerous sources reported the strike on the Al-Salhi home, few details are available regarding the number of those injured or killed. No names of victims are offered, and no sources include photos of the aftermath of the strike.

Most accounts simply state: “Injuries in the bombing of the Al-Salhi family’s house in Block 2 of the Bureij camp.” Only one source, a Facebook post by Khamis, offers something like a numerical figure, stating that there were attempts to remove “dozens of wounded and martyrs” from the rubble of the home, which Airwars has quantified as 12-24 in both the fatality and injury range. Given the lack of specificity in reporting, Airwars has graded the harm status as “weak” until further information comes to light.

Due to none of the accounts directly naming Israel as the belligerent, the strike status has been graded as “contested”. However, a tweet by @quds_yu references the strike on the Al-Salhi home, and mentions, separately, Israeli bombing of Khan Yunis.

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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Block 12 being struck, allegedly located within Bureij camp (مخيم البريج). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Bureij camp are: 31.437934, 34.403857.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS034

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

بئر السبع, Beersheba, Israel

Geolocation

31.21501329, 34.81241023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A rocket struck a factory in an industrial area of Beersheba, Israel on May 20th, 2021 resulting in injuries, according to local reports.

In a video posted by Al Jazeera Arabic several vehicles parked outside the factory were also seen to be damage. Images uploaded by Quds10 show damage to an exterior wall of the factory.

A tweet from Al Jazeera Arabic mentions “injuries caused by rockets falling on the city of Beersheba, launched from the Gaza Strip” but does not identify how many. However, Jerusalem Post reported that all of the rockets that fell on Beersheba hit open areas and no casualties were reported.

Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for rocket fire targeting the area, posting in Telegram “we renewed the bombing of occupied Be’er Sheva with a missile launch for the third time in half an hour”, added later that “the enemy admits that a number of [settlers] were injured in the recent Qassam bombing of Beersheba”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building caused by rockets from Gaza on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a warehouse being struck in the industrial area of Beersheba (بئر السبع). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.21501329, 34.81241023.

  • Tagged street view imagery from Google Earth

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged panoramic stitch from audio-visual sources

    Imagery:
    @AJArabic

  • Reports of the incident mention a warehouse being struck in the industrial area of Beersheba (بئر السبع).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

13:28
Al-Qassam Brigades renews shelling of occupied Beersheba for the third time in half an hour

13:42
The enemy admits that a number of [settlers] were injured in the recent Qassam bombing of Beersheba

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT005

Incident date

May 10, 2021

Location

صالح دردونة, Saleh Dardouna Street near Al-Omari Mosque in Jabalia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.526024, 34.483359 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians were killed, including two children, and as many as 34 people were injured, when an alleged rocket fired by a Palestinian armed group landed in Saleh Dardouna Street, near the al-Omari Mosque in Jabalia, north Gaza on May 10th 2021, according to multiple sources.

An investigation by Human Rights Watch revealed that seven civilians had been killed. The victims were named as: Bara al-Gharabli, 6; Mustafa Mohammad Obied, 14; Mousa Khamees Junied al-Zain, 20; Raed Abu Warda, 33; Nabeel Noman Dardona, 24; Ismat al-Zain, 50; and Basheer Aloush, 54. Fifteen people were said to have been injured, including five children. A shopkeeper who witnessed the strike identified one of the injured children as Mohammed Shaban.

In a report published on May 11th 2021, Defence for Children International – Palestine, said eight civilians had been killed and as many as 34 injured, 10 of them children. Mustafa Mohammad Mahmoud Obaid, 16, was killed in the blast, and five-year-old Baraa Wisam Ahmad al-Gharabli succumbed to his injuries around 11 p.m. on May 10.

Another man, Zakaria Ziad Alloush, was also reported to have been killed. Tributes were paid online by relatives who identified Basheer and Zakaria Alloush as uncle and nephew respectively.

Four people, who were on the street at the time, said they saw a rocket rise into the sky above them and then fall to the street. Two adults said they saw the rocket approach from the northwest. Human Rights Watch spoke to a relative of one of the deceased who was at the scene. He gave the following account: “At about 6 p.m. I was standing near the entrance to the local market on Martyr Salah Dardona Street. I was near about 50 people who were close together in the street. Some of them were there to get food for poor people, cooked by locals wanting to help the poor during Ramadan. Suddenly, I heard a barrage of rockets being fired and I looked up and saw them rise in the air. I saw one rocket rising in the shape of a spiral and then it came down in the middle of the street about 10 meters from where I was standing.” The relative said that among those killed and injured were a father and a child washing a car, a man riding a motorbike, a child coming to get a plate of food, a woman exiting a hairdresser’s shop, and a child playing in front of a bicycle shop. The relative later spoke to a person who told him that six rockets had been launched from the Sheikh Radwan area of Jabalya.

The wife of one of those killed gave the following account: “[My husband] had just come home from work. He had bought sweets and new clothes for everyone, in preparation for Eid [Muslim holiday marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan]. Before he left, he gave the kids some sweets and kissed and hugged them. Then he asked me to look after the kids, as he wanted to buy one more thing. He told me he wouldn’t be delayed, as he was feeling tired. But he never came back.”

Some sources, including accounts from relatives of the victims, reported that Israeli forces were responsible for the strike. Human Rights Watch determined, based on witness accounts during site visits, munition remnants, and a review of video footage, that the casualties had been caused by a Palestinian rocket. Defence for Children International – Palestine came to the same conclusion citing Palestinian security sources and explosives experts.

The website NGO Monitor reported that one of the deceased, Issmat Shaaban Al-Zain had been a member of the Izz Ad-din Al-Qassam brigades. Al Qassam verified that he was a member, posting in their Telegram channel “The martyr Al-Qassami Mujahid / Ismat Sha`aban Al-Zein from Jabalia Al-Balad, who was martyred during the battle of #Saif_Al-Quds”. The Israeli Defense Force also identified Raed Abu Warda as “a Hamas terrorist operative [who] was killed in a failed jihadist launch” but Raed’s name was not posted in the official Al Qassam Telegram channel.

The strike occurred at 18:00 local time.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Bashir Muhammad Alloush بشير محمد علوش
54 years old male Uncle killed
Zakaria Ziad Alloush زكريا زياد علوش
18 years old male Nephew killed

The victims were named as:

Nabil Al-Nu'mani Daroudeh نبيل النعمان دردونة
24 years old male killed
Baraa Wissam Ahmed al-Garabli براء وسام أحمد الغرابلي
6 years old male killed
Mustafa Muhammad Ubaid مصطفى محمد عبيد
14 years old male killed
Musa Khalil Al-Zein موسى خليل الزين
20 years old male killed
Mohammed Shaban محمد شعبان
Age unknown male A shop owner was quoted as telling HRW “I saw a child, Mohammed Shaban, whose eyes were bleeding”. injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (2 children4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–34
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Palestinian Militants, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Baraa Wissam Ahmed al-Garabli was killed when a Palestinian rocket reportedly fell short of its target on May 10th, 2021. (Image posted by Musa Alloush)
  • An image of Bashir Muhammad Alloush Abu Sa'ad (Image posted to the Facebook page of Abo Ibrahim Al Adham)
  • An image of Issmat Shaaban Al-Zain posing with a weapon. (Image posted by Hamas and used in a report by the Israeli research organisation, NGO Monitor)
  • A collage of images of Nabeel Dardona, Mousa al-Zain, Raed Abu Warda, Basheer Aloush, Zakaria Alloush, Mustafa Obied and Ismat al-Zain who died on May 10th 2021. Included are images of Muhammad Saber Suleiman and Saber Ibrahim Suleiman (ISPT003). (Image posted by the International Middle East Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded man is helped by onlookers. (Image posted by the International Middle East Media Center)
  • An image of Zakaria Alloush who died alongside his uncle Bashir Alloush. (image posted to Facebook by Musa Alloush)
  • "ראא'ד אלעבד זכי אבו ורדה. פעיל בארגון הטרור חמאס, נהרג משיגור כושל של הג'יהאד" Ra'ad El-Abd Zaki Abu Varda. A Hamas terrorist operative was killed in a failed jihadist launch.

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a strike on Saleh Dardouna Street (صالح دردونة) near Al Omari Mosque (مسجد العمري) in Jabalia (جباليا). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.526024, 34.483359.

  • A composite still from a video showing the immediate aftermath of the incident on Saleh Dardouna Street (صالح دردونة), May 10, 2021.

    Imagery:
    Knooznet Article

  • A composite still from a video showing the immediate aftermath of the incident on Saleh Dardouna Street (صالح دردونة), May 10, 2021.

    Imagery:
    Knooznet Article

  • A composite still from a video showing the immediate aftermath of the incident on Saleh Dardouna Street (صالح دردونة), May 10, 2021.

    Imagery:
    Knooznet Article

  • Satellite image taken May 21, 2021, showing the features in the image above to verify an exact location.

    Imagery:
    Planet

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (2 children4–5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–34
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Palestinian Militants, Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1–2

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS031

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Location

أوفاكيم, Ofakim, Israel

Geolocation

31.30992556, 34.62417619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was injured when a rocket struck the city of Ofakim, southern Israel on May 19th 2021, according to local reports.

Shihab news agency quoted “Hebrew sources” saying: “A settler was injured in Ofkim after the resistance fired a wave of missiles.”

The Al Qassam Brigade claimed responsibility for the strike, according to Anadolu Agency. “Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurper of the Zionist “Ofkim” with a missile launch” was posted in the Hamas Telegram channel at 18:00 and 18:50 on May 19th.

Kan News reported the rockets struck Ofakim and the nearby city of Be’er Sheva. One rocket was intercepted and three fell in an open area, according to the source.

No further details regarding the identity of the victim were reported.

News of the strike began circulating amongst Arabic media sources at approximately 20:00

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A settler was injured in "Ofkim" after the resistance fired a missile on May 19, 2021. (Image posted by @zaidaltholaia)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ofakim (אופקים), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.30992556, 34.62417619. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

18:00
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurper of the Zionist "Ofkim" with a missile launch

18:50
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades bombed "Ofkim" with a missile launch

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (13) [ collapse]