Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0062

Incident date

October 9, 2023

Location

ابراج النسماوي, Al Nasmawi towers, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.344261, 34.291017 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Israeli airstrike that hit the residential apartment of the Abu Shamala family in the Al-Nasmawi neighbourhood of Khan Yunis during the evening of October 9th 2023 killed between four and five members of the family, including at least three children, and injured up to seven others.

Several local sources reported that multiple members of the Abu Shamala family were killed. Four of those killed have been identified as Fatima Fauzi Abu Shamala (39 years old) and her children – her two daughters, 16 year old Tasnim Ibrahim Abu Shamala and 6 year old Yasmine Ibrahim Abu Shamala, and her son, 14 year old Mahmoud Ibrahim Abu Shamala. One other son, Elias Ibrahim Abu Shamala, was mentioned in a Facebook post by his uncle as being in serious condition while one of the family’s neighbours posted that all four children were killed. Accordingly, Airwars has recorded the number of civilians killed as 4-5, and injured as 0-1.

Tasnim’s teacher posted a message memorializing her, and mentioned that she was an excellent student.

Multiple reports mentioned that seven civilians were injured, with only one named civilian, Elias, identified as injured. Footage is available of members of the family being pulled from the rubble after the strike, but their conditions are not clear. Relatives of the deceased posted on Facebook mourning the victims of the strike.

The family is survived by Fatima’s husband Ibrahim Saeed Awad Abu Shamala.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

While Airwars has matched Fatima, Tasnim, Mahmoud and Yasmine’s names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th, Elias’ name was not found in that list.

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 in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Fatima Fauzi Abu Shamala
39 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 800324071
Tasnim Ibrahim Abu Shamala
15 years old female Fatima's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 422452235
Mahmoud Ibrahim Abu Shamala
13 years old male Fatima's son killed Matched to MoH ID 429738578
Yasmine Ibrahim Abu Shamala
6 years old male Fatima's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 429738578
Elias Ibrahim Abu Shamala
male unclear if he was killed or injured killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3–4 children1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (22) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr tabsh facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Feda Sroor facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Albana facebook

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Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al Nasmawi towers (ابراج النسماوي) in Khan Younis (خان يونس). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.344261, 34.291017.

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  • Imagery:
    @Hanialhasn1999

  • Imagery:
    @Hanialhasn1999

  • Imagery:
    @Hanialhasn1999

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3–4 children1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]