Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0051

Incident date

October 9, 2023

Location

بجوار محطة بنزين عصفور, Vicinity of Asfour petrol station, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.334423, 34.333242 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Referenced in

Litigation
Case against UK Business Secretary for arms transfers to Israel
GLAN

Airwars assessment

On October 9th 2023, Israeli Defence Forces allegedly conducted an airstrike on a residential building located in Bani Suhalia in Khan Yunis. The strike reportedly killed members of the Al-Najjar family: Ramadan Ibrahim Al-Najjar (45 years old), his wife Nadiya, his brother Mazen Fawzi Al-Najjar (34 years old) and his niece Salma Hamouda Al-Najjar (6 years old). WAFA News Agency reported that in total eight family members were killed while other local sources reported that seven civilians were injured.

The Najjar family posted on Facebook that the strike occurred at the home of Tariq Rasmi Al-Najjar at night and Nedal Abulehya described the resulting destruction as “I saw the body parts with my own eyes. Everyone in the house was in pieces.” Facebook user Sameer Najjar reported that the family had recently relocated to Bani Suhaila after leaving their homes in Khuza’a. Bani Suhayla posted on Facebook that the airstrikes caused major destruction “at the eastern entrance to the city of Bani Suhaila and various parts of the city”. @ShehabAgency reported that seven injuries resulted from the bombing.

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

The strike was reportedly carried out by aircraft, according to Shehab Agency. The strike left the house severely damaged. Sources Bani Suhayla, Shehab Agency and WAFA News Agency attributed the strike to Israeli warplanes.

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

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ramadan Ibrahim Al-Najjar رمضان النجار
45 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 900587254
Nadiya انديه
female Wife of Ramadan killed
Mazen Fawzi Al-Najjar مازن فوزي النجار
34 years old male Brother of Ramadan killed Matched to MoH ID 801237371
Salma Hamouda Al-Najjar سلمى حمودة رسمي النجار
6 years old female Niece of Ramadan killed Matched to MoH ID 438574725

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the eastern entrance of Bani Suheila (بني سهيلا). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.334423, 34.333242.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[34.333242,31.334423],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.33205359946959,31.33541774432308],[34.332119649839285,31.335324930693673],[34.332268795837535,31.3354086449515],[34.33219209218154,31.335497818752927],[34.33205359946959,31.33541774432308]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.333105216436195,31.334254614674876],[34.333141336128136,31.334207235472263],[34.33320196561158,31.33423808704886],[34.333160685962554,31.334289873600582],[34.333105216436195,31.334254614674876]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.33255906132672,31.3348604614538],[34.332641916263924,31.334752094935794],[34.33275843102004,31.33481623023674],[34.33266780843246,31.334929019798636],[34.33255906132672,31.3348604614538]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}

  • Imagery:
    Hidabroot

  • Imagery:
    UNDP PAPP/Abed Zagout

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Infrastructure
    Residential
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Bani Suhayla facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Bani Suhayla facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Bani Suhayla facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Bani Suhayla facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Bani Suhayla facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kuzaa facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Najjar family facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Najjar family facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sameer Najjar facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sameer Najjar facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Treq Zyad Najjar facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Treq Zyad Najjar facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Treq Zyad Najjar facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Treq Zyad Najjar facebook

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Infrastructure
    Residential
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]