Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0019

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Location

عبسان الكبيرة, Abasan Al Kabira, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.323417, 34.347364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 7th 2023, at least one civilian woman was killed and at least five civilians were injured in an alleged bombing on the home of the Abu Daqqa family in the town of Abasan al Kabira in the Gaza Strip. No sources identified the alleged perpetrator of the attack – Airwars has therefore categorised the incident as ‘contested’ until further information comes to light.

Sources on social media named the victim as Jawaher Qadeeh (Umm Alaa).  Mokkah Abasan shared that “Citizen Jawaher Qadeeh Umm Alaa was killed and five citizens were injured as a result of the bombing.” Sources do not mention any other injuries or deaths.

Tributes poured in for Jawaher from friends, family and neighbors who saw her as a cherished member of the community. Amani Najjar shared a heartfelt testimony on Facebook describing the late Jawaher as “The generous, generous woman with a beautiful smile, dear to the hearts of those who knew her.” She appears in the attached image as a smiling middle aged woman in a green hijab and embroidered scarf. Her cousin Umm Shatha Qudaih mourned her death “with great sadness and sorrow, and with hearts that believe in God’s will and destiny”. Abu Saleh referred to her as “our good-hearted neighbor”.

According to her possible relative, Amani Najjar, Jawaher is survived by her husband Abu Alaa and her daughters and son abroad. Another source on social media, journalist Tayseir Qudeh, noted her daughter Alaa was in the UAE, and gave his condolences.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jawaher Qadeeh (Umm Alaa) جواهر قديح
Age unknown female killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Abasan Al Kabira (عبسان الكبيرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.323417, 34.347364. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 belligerents
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amani Najjar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Umm Shatha Qudaih

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 belligerents
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (7) [ collapse]