Airwars assessment
On the night of Monday, October 28, 2024, an alleged Israeli airstrike and artillery shelling hit residential houses in Wata al-Khiam in Lebanon’s Nabatieh Governorate, killing at least 20 civilians – including women and children – the majority of whom were members of the Al-Muhammad family.
Five deceased were uncovered days after the initial bombardment on 3 November 2024. Those unable to be recovered were presumed dead. The initial source came from Facebook user Ali Hamad, referencing an “Al-Akhbar correspondent”, who reported that “it became clear that [the Al-Muhammad family’s] twenty missing members had died under the rubble following the raids and enemy artillery shelling that targeted the neighborhood last Monday night”.
Bodies were only able to be retrieved after coordinated efforts from the Lebanese Red Cross, in conjunction with the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Reports indicated that the Israeli military set a time frame during which bodies were meant to be retrieved. A video showing the convoy of ambulances from the Lebanese and International Red Cross, along with UNIFIL vehicles and equipment, was shared by Facebook user Khiyam.com on Facebook. The convoy was passing through Abel al-Saqi directed to Wata al-Khiam to clear rubble and search for the missing individuals.
At least five individuals were named as having been discovered, deceased, under the rubble: that of 19-year-old Rowan Ali al-Muhammad, 5-year-old Nadeen Shadi al-Muhammad, 2-year-old Khaled Shadi al-Muhammad, newborn Adam Shadi al-Muhammad and 28-year-old Dima Walid al-Ibrahim.
The Facebook page for the Nabatieh governorate reported that a new time frame was expected to be set, during which the other bodies could be retrieved.
Zalzali Norma, a colleague of the late Dima, shared memories of her online, recalling the last time she saw her in September. She was described as an optimistic, always smiling and cheerful woman despite the difficult circumstances. Extraordinary resilient, “neither the cannons nor the raids could rob you of your smile, your gentleness, and your reassurance. How steadfast you were in the land that you loved and that loved you.” The message continued with a tribute to her dedication and passion for her work as a teacher and the love for her students and colleagues, always fostering an environment of cooperation. Norma also recalled the anguish she felt when, after the tragedy, she repeatedly tried to call her, but received no response. Norma shared that Dima’s students had not stopped asking about her.
Norma shared on Facebook pictures of Dima and her family. In one of them, Dima is seen wearing a pink hijab matching her dress, appearing alongside a man and a child in what seems to be a family portrait. In another photo, a little girl – likely her daughter and possibly Nadeen – is pictured wearing a white dress, her hair neatly tied up, holding a bouquet of flowers.
A screenshot of a social media story seemingly shared by Dima, shows a hand-drawn portrait of her. The picture, Dima captioned, “made [her] day”.
Other social media users shared a collage with pictures of the other victims. They were friends, children, spouses, parents and loved ones, and each photo represented cherished connections and memories.
Some sources alleged 21 had been killed, with Twitter/X user @5LDONN reporting “21 martyrs” and @almalafat alleging that after the recovery of the first five bodies, it was “likely that the number of those remaining under the rubble [was] 16.” One of the missing, user “Diwan of the Arabs of the Al-Kraydin clan” (ديوان عرب عشيرة الكريدين) claimed, was a Syrian national.
The names of 20 individuals including those mentioned above circulated online: From al-Muhammad family, the civilians presumed dead but still under the rubble are: Khaled Diab al-Muhammad, Shadi Khaled al-Muhammad, Muhammad Khaled al-Muhammad, Ahmad Khaled al-Muhammad, Mariam Khaled al-Muhammad, Ali Diab al-Muhammad, Abdallah Ali al-Muhammad, Marwan Ali al-Muhammad, Lubnan Ali al-Muhammad, Hadi Ali al-Muhammad, Muhammad Ali al-Muhammad and Saad Ali al-Muhammad.
The other victims are presumed to be Sara Muhammad al-Nemr, Hamida Mustafa al-Ibrahim, and Rasmiya Muhammad al-Ahmad.
Most casualties were assumed to be from the Al-Muhammad and Al-Ahmad families; Al-Jadeed and Saida Magazine reported that the two families were originally from Wazzani and Ain Arab and were engaged in farming and shepherding. Indeed, in the images circulating online, alongside destroyed buildings, a flock of sheep can also be seen, likely searching for food amid the rubble.
The local time of the incident is unknown, but the majority of sources mentioned it happened at night.
Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces.
The incident occured during the night.
The victims were named as:
Family members (16)
The victims were named as:
Summary
Sources (41) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (55) [ collapse]
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Source: Ali hamad -
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Source: Ali hamad -
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Source: Ali hamad -
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Source: @israa02m -
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Source: @LebTalks -
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Source: @AmalKhalil83 -
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Source: @AmalKhalil83 -
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Source: @AmalKhalil83 -
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Source: @AmalKhalil83 -
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Source: @135__HK -
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Source: @5LDONN -
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Source: @5LDONN -
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Source: @5LDONN -
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Source: @5LDONN -
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Source: @5LDONN -
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Source: @AmalKhalil83 -
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Source: Nabatieh.org -
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Source: Nabatieh.org -
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Source: Nabatieh.org -
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Source: Nabatieh.org -
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Source: Ali Hamad -
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Source: Ali Hamad -
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Source: Ali Hamad -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Ali Hamad -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Zalzali Norma -
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Source: Act for the Disappeared -
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Source: Al Jadeed -
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Source: ديوان عرب عشيرة الكريدين -
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Source: ديوان عرب عشيرة الكريدين -
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Source: ديوان عرب عشيرة الكريدين -
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Source: ديوان عرب عشيرة الكريدين -
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Source: ديوان عرب عشيرة الكريدين -
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Source: ديوان عرب عشيرة الكريدين -
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Source: Abu Ahmad Jomaa أبو أحمد جمعة -
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Source: Abu Ahmad Jomaa أبو أحمد جمعة -
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Source: Saida magazine -
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