Israeli Military in Syria & the Gaza Strip

A child uses his mobile device in the ruins of a building in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip on May 26th 2021. © Mohamed Zaanoun

Belligerent
Israeli Military
Country
the Gaza Strip
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

ISPT123

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

منزل عائلة اسليم بحي الصبرة, House for the Aslaim family in the Al-Sabra neighborhood, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.506017, 34.450531 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as seven civilians, including five children, were reported injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Al-Sabra neighborhood of Gaza city, on May 20th 2021, according to local reports.

Al Haq reported, at approximately 6:00 am Israeli aircraft targeted the fifth-floor apartment of Hazem Muhammad Antar Aslam (spelled Asleem and Saleem in other sources) and the bombing reportedly wounded four sleeping children. According to the source, the building located close to the Abdullah Azzam Mosque was owned by Hazem’s son. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights puts the number of children injured in the strike at five.

Amira Aslam, 14, spoke to Reuters from her hospital bed about the strike that caused parts of her house to collapse: “We were sitting on the sofa when a missile landed. There was heavy smoke and we couldn’t see anything.”

Al Haq reported that a ten-year-old girl, Farah Hazem Muhammad Aslam, had to have her leg amputated following the strike. Palestine Now reported that her foot was amputated. Al Watan said that the three children injured alongside her were her brothers.

Three people who were injured in the strike later arrived at the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, according to The Palestinian Information Center.

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Tweet via @NesmaJa97

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of Abdullah Azzam Mosque (مسجد عبد الله عزام), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.506017, 34.450531. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (37) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT125

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

حي العطاطرة ، بيت لاهيا, Al Atatira neighborhood, Beit Lahiya, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.560034, 34.485183 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 20th, 2021, at 11:55 AM one man was reported killed and one woman was reported injured by an Israeli drone missile in the al-Atatira neighborhood of Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza. The man was identified as 34-year-old Hashem Shaher al-Shorfa, and the woman was identified as Reham Sayed al-Attar.

Multiple news and Twitter sources in English and Arabic confirmed the death of al-Shorfa and the injury of al-Attar.

A tweet from @uunionnews accused Hashem of being a member of the missile unit of the North Brigade for Al Qassam. However, we were not able to find his name listed amongst “martyrs” in official sources and he is even referred to as a farmer in a tweet from @Hassan_Che2020.

Al Haya reports “a citizen was martyred and another was seriously injured in a missile attack that targeted them in the Al-Atatra area northwest of the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, and they were transferred to the Indonesian Hospital in the town.”

The incident occured at 11:55:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Hashem Shaher Al Shorfa, who was killed in strikes on Beit Lahia on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)
  • Hashem Shaher Al Shorfa, who was killed in strikes on Beit Lahia on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Atatira ( العطاطرة), within the town of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.560034, 34.485183. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Atatira ( العطاطرة), within the town of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT126

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

جباليا, Jabalia, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.53871116, 34.49510787 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 20th, 2021, at approximately 2:05 AM between four to nine civilians, including three women and one child were injured as a result of Israeli airstrikes on the Jabaliya refugee camp. No names were reported. Two missiles were reported to have been fired at the main street connecting Block 7 and Block 9 of the camp, near Abu Rashid Pond. In addition, the offices of the Red Cresent Society and Medical Aid for Palestine were damaged as a result of the strikes, alongside electricity, water networks, and sewage systems.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported “At approximately 02:05, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles on the main street connecting Block (7) with Block (9) in front of Safi Shops for Construction Materials in Jabalia refugee camp.  As a result, 7 Palestinians were wounded, including 3 women and 1 child while many facilities, houses, and infrastructure sustained damage.”

Anadolu Agency reported that a house was completely destroyed, and RT news reported a video of the later destruction.

The Palestinian Minister of Health reported that the Red Cresent Society in the Gaza strip “suffered severe damages”. The Twitter account for Medical Aid for Palestine posted images showing the damage to a women’s health clinic supported by Medical Aid for Palestine.

@AlmakdesyMedia on Twitter reported nine people with “moderate and light injuries” arrived at hospitals in Northern Gaza.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–8
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video from RT news showing the damage from an Israeli airstrike on the al-Saftawi area. Extensive destruction is shown, with civilians surveying and sitting among the rubble. Video is dated May 20th, 2021.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jabalia (جباليا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.53871116, 34.49510787. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–8
  • 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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT127

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

الصفطاوي , Al Saftawi, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.536165, 34.476299 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 20th, 2021, two civilians were reported killed by an Israeli airstrike on a car in the al-Saftawi area, west of Jabalia camp in the Northern Gaza Strip. Identified as Suhaib Al-Kahlout and Muyasara Al-Aarer, both were on al-Saftawi street, a commercial thoroughfare in Gaza City. In addition, Al-Monitor reports that the airstrikes halted water supplies to 20% of the city’s population.

Hadf news reports “Local sources reported that the occupation aircraft targeted a city car in the Saftawi area, as a result of which two civilians were killed and others were wounded. The ambulance and civil defense rushed to transport the martyrs and the injured and put out the fire that occurred in the place.”

Al-Monitor quoted the Gaza municipality, stating that “the Israeli strikes on two water pipelines of 14 and 16 inches in diameter in the Gaza district of al-Saftawi halted water supply to 20% of the city’s population, i.e., nearly 200,000 people. The suspension of water supply has aggravated the water crisis in Gaza, which is caused by the Israeli deliberate attacks on water pipelines, it added.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Suhaib Al-Khalout Age unknown male killed
  • Muyasara Al-Aarer Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (61) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Destruction of a civilian car, resulting in the deaths of Suhaib al-Kahlouf and Muyasara al-Aarer in the northern Gaza City. Image is from a Ola Ghounaim post: https://www.facebook.com/lolo.gho.9/posts/1183391728776423

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the Al Saftawi (الصفطاوي) area. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.536165, 34.476299.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck in the Al Saftawi (الصفطاوي) area

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @PalinfoAr

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @saedswerky_RT

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (61) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT128

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

عزبة بيت حانون, Izbat Beit Hanoun, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.547333, 34.522478 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An Israeli airstrike targeted the home of the Abu Jared family in Beit Hanoun, injuring up to six civilians according to multiple sources.

Several sources reported that of the six civilians injured, one was in a serious condition. This seriously injured male victim was named by multiple sources as 69 year old Ali Khalil Abu Jarad.

A lower casualty toll was provided by @SafaPs, which reported that three people were injured, citing a medical source.

Several sources claimed that one civilian had died in the strike, some naming the killed victim as Mr. Jarad. However, two later reports stated that Mr. Jarad was receiving surgery in the hospital’s intensive care unit; whilst one source reported that he had subsequently safely left the intensive care unit.

It was reported that the strike hit directly above the heads of the occupants, and that they were given no prior warning of the attack.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to Abu Jarad's home in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by Tawfeg Abujarad via Facebook)
  • Image of Haji Ali Khalil Abu Jarad, who was seriously injured in the strikes on Beit Hanoun on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by his cousin Aref Abo Jarad)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Izbat Beit Hanoun (عزبة بيت حانون), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.547333, 34.522478. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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

ISPT124

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

عمارة الرائد, Al Raed building, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.523521, 34.455308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians including a baby were injured, one seriously, in a strike on an apartment building in the al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City in the afternoon of May 20, 2021.

Various sources report an airstrike hitting the al-Raed building, which was a mixed-use residential and commercial building, destroying the apartment and ground-floor shops, including a toy shop.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported that the damage had been caused by two missiles. The al-Raed building is located in the affluent al-Rimal neighbourhood, close to the Palestine Mosque and the national stadium.

Sources report that between four and seven civilians were injured in the strikes, with news outlet Palinfo noting that an entire family, including children, had been injured in the strike.

Israel has not explicitly acknowledged responsibility for the strike or for the civilian harm caused. However, in a statement made by the IDF on 20 May 2021, it published an infographic depicting strikes carried out that day, which includes various strikes in the vicinity of the al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City.

The incident occured at approximately 1:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (23) [ collapse]

  • Image showing distressed woman holding baby. A baby was reported injured in the May 20th, 2021 strike in Al Rimal neighbourhood (image via @Tmimi_97)
  • Image captions indicates the image shows damage to the Al-Raed building in the al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City on May 20th, 2021 (image via @S88Ashi)
  • Image reportedly shows damage to the Al-Raed building in Al-Rimal neighbourhood. An airstrike hit the building on May 20th, 2021 leading to several injuries (image via @S88Ashi)
  • The Al-Raed building was hit by an alleged Israeli airstrike on May 20th, 2021. Several injuries were reported (image via @S88Ashi)
  • Image captions indicates it shows damage to the Al-Raed building in the al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City on May 20th, 2021 (image via @S88Ashi)
  • Translated image caption: Al-Raed building that was targeted by the occupation in Gaza City (image via @plespost)
  • Translated image caption: Al-Raed building that was targeted by the occupation in Gaza City (image via @plespost)
  • Image caption indicates the image shows the damage to the Al-Raed building. The building was hit by an alleged Israeli airstrike hit on May 20th, 2021. Up to seven civilians were reportedly injured (image via @plespost)
  • Several civilians were injured after an airstrike was reported to have hit Al-Raed building on May 20th, 2021 (image via @plespost)
  • Translated caption reads: #Photos.. of injuries and raids that recently hit separate areas of Gaza, including the Al-Raed building in Gaza City and a house in Rafah (image via @alqudsnewspaper)
  • Translated caption reads: #Photos.. of injuries and raids that recently hit separate areas of Gaza, including the Al-Raed building in Gaza City and a house in Rafah (image via @alqudsnewspaper)
  • The image appears to show a paramedic looking after a baby. A baby was reportedly among the injured in a strike on a building in Al-Rimal neighbourhood on May 20th, 2021 (image via @alqudsnewspaper)
  • Image shared online alongside photos of another incident. It is unclear if this image comes from the Al-Rimal neighbourhood strike on May 20th, 2021 (image via @alqudsnewspaper)
  • Translated image caption: An entire family was injured by various wounds due to the Israeli bombing of a residential apartment in the centre of Gaza City (via @PalinfoAr)
  • Up to seven civilians were reportedly injured, including a baby, in an alleged Israeli airstrike on May 20th, 2021 (via @PalinfoAr)
  • Up to seven civilians were reportedly injured in a strike on a building in Gaza's Al-Rimal neighbourhood. Caption on this image indicates that this is one of the injured civilians (image via @PalinfoAr)
  • Medical staff give treatment to a baby. A baby was reportedly injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on May 20th, 2021 in Gaza's Al-Rimal neighbourhood (image via @PalinfoAr)
  • A video of the Al-Raed building in Gaza, which was subjected to an Israeli bombardment, causing great damage and wounding a number of citizens
  • Al-Raed building in Gaza, which was subjected to an Israeli terrorist bombing, causing great damage and wounding a number of citizens lsrael is a terrorist state #GazaUnderAttak #savesheikhjarrahً

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Raed Building (عمارة الرائد) being struck in the Rimal (حي الرمال) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.523521, 34.455308

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Raed Building (عمارة الرائد) being struck in the Rimal (حي الرمال) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة).

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @plespost

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Boomdotnews

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @ibrahimalwadia

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT129

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

بيت المغير, رفح, Al Mughayir House, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.287340, 34.251972 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six people were reportedly injured as a result of alleged Israeli airstrikes on a house said to belong to Al-Mughayer family in Shaboura refugee camp, Rafah, Gaza on May 20 2021.

A tweet from @AqsaTVChannel put the number of injuries at three while Palestinian Refugees Portal reported that six casualties were rescued from the rubble of the house after the strikes. @SafaPs added that ambulance crews transported two injuries for medical treatment following the incident.

Images were posted online after the incident showing the almost complete destruction of a house. One source reported that the house was hit in a two stage attack (@Nada03978943) and @Alaqsavoice_Brk reported that three missiles hit the house.

No further details about the casualties are presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Photo taken after alleged Israeli shelling on a house in Shaboura camp, Rafah, Gaza May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @qudsn.
  • A house destroyed in Shaboura camp, Rafah, Gaza, allegedly as a result of Israeli airstrikes May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @qudsn.
  • Image showing the destruction caused by an alleged Israeli airstrike on a house in Shaboura camp, Rafah, Gaza. Image posted on Twitter by @qudsn.
  • Image taken from above of a house in Shaboura, Gaza, reported to have been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @Alaqsavoice_Brk
  • People stand in the rubble of a house reportedly destroyed by an Israeli airstrike May 20 2021 in Shaboura, Gaza. Image posted on Twitter by @Alaqsavoice_Brk.
  • People look through the rubble of a house reportedly destroyed in an Israeli airstrike May 20 2021 in Shaboura, Gaza. Image posted on Twitter by @Alaqsavoice_Brik.
  • Household items shown within the rubble of a house reportedly destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Shaboura, Gaza May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @Alaqsavoice_Brik.
  • Video captured by Safa Press Agency reporting to show an Israeli airstrike on Shaboura, Gaza May 20 2021.
  • Smoke rises over a residential neighbourhood reported to be Shaboura, Gaza, allegedly hit by an Israeli airstrike May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @Fad6k.
  • A house destroyed by an alleged Israeli airstrike May 20 2021 in Shaboura, Gaza. Image posted on Twitter by Ehabhelou.
  • Items reportedly from the home of the Al-Mughayer family, destroyed by an alleged Israeli airstrike May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @bnt_alkatayib.
  • Destruction caused by alleged Israeli airstrikes in Shaboura, Gaza May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @Motazpress.
  • Video posted by the Palestinian Information Centre, alleging to show an Israeli airstrike in Shaboura refugee camp, May 20 2021.
  • Image showing the house reported to have been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @LebUpdate.
  • Video reporting to show smoke rising from Shaboura, Rafa, Gaza on May 20 2021 after alleged Israeli airstrikes hit the neighbourhood. Video posted on Twitter by Friends of Palestine.
  • Image showing the area destroyed by an alleged Israeli airstrike in Shaboura, Gaza, May 20 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @Nada03978943.
  • Israeli warplanes destroyed a house for the Al-Mughayer family in the Shaboura refugee camp, in the center of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck within the vicinity of Shaboura (الشابورة) camp in Rafah (رفح). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.287340, 34.251972.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck within the vicinity of Shaboura (الشابورة) camp in Rafah (رفح).

    Imagery:
    soar.earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Alaqsavoice_Brk

  • Panoramic stitch of visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @paltimes2015

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT130

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

حي معان ,خان يونس, Ma’an neighborhood, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.330061, 34.316744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians, including two children, were injured when an unexploded missile landed in a home east of Ma’an on May 20, 2021.

According to Al Mezan, Israeli missiles struck the home of brothers Muhammad and Munis Muhareb, in the customs police area east of Ma’an. However, the missile did not explode and also penetrated the nearby house of Ramzi Abu Hadid and injured three civilians, including two children.

Pal times put the number of injuries from the unexploded missile in Ma’an at four wounded and @yahyanawazv identified the injuries as shrapnel wounds.

A tweet from @Abuabraa2110198 added that a large number of women and children (20 people according to @yahyanawazv) that were in the Muhareb family home escaped a certain death that would’ve occurred if the missile had exploded.

@waed_2002 reported that explosives engineering teams arrived after the strikes to safely remove the unexploded missile, which weighed one ton according to @AzimShahsaab.

All of the sources attributed the unexploded missile to Israel.

The incident occured at approximately 12:10 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • An unexploded Israeli missile landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @RealEmanAyad)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @gGY33TX9eprjsHt)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @gGY33TX9eprjsHt)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @gGY33TX9eprjsHt)
  • Many people escaped certain death when an unexploded Israeli missile landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @Abuabraa2110198)
  • Damage caused by an unexploded Israeli missile which landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @yahyanawazv)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @1MahmoudAbdel)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @1MahmoudAbdel)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Ma’an (معن) neighborhood of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.330061, 34.316744. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Ma’an (معن) neighborhood of Khan Younis (خان يونس).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]