Airwars assessment
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, an alleged Israeli bombardment struck the Abu Taha family home in Al-Manara, Khan Younis, before dawn. The attack resulted in multiple casualties, including the deaths of nine family members: five women, two men, and two children. This incident was reported by various news agencies and shared by social media users.
Several users online identified nine deceased members of the Abu Taha family – Fatima Salama Abu Taha, Janat Salama Abu Taha, Yaqin Salama Abu Taha, Rasha Mahmoud Abu Taha, Sajid Issa Abu Taha, Issa Issa Abu Taha, Qamar Manar Abu Taha, Zain Muhammad Abu Taha, and Ziad Muhammad Abu Taha. The identities of the remaining casualties were not found online.
Reports varied on the exact number of casualties, with estimates ranging from 12 to 15 people believed to be under the rubble. @Sa7atPlBreaking, on their Twitter/X account, reported that “12 martyrs were pulled out of the Abu Taha family home in Al-Manara neighborhood, south of Khan Yunis city.” Safa PS posted that the incident occurred around 00:50 near the Qutb Mosque in the Al-Manara neighbourhood and that “there were about 15 people under the rubble”.
While there was minimal information available about the deceased, one source, Mahmoud Gazy, shared that two of the deceased – Ziad Muhammad Abu Taha and Zain Muhammad Abu Taha – were children. Mahoud also shared a picture of the two, depicting two young boys with short dark hair wearing grey t-shirts.
Emad Taha, a relative of the Abu Taha family, shared sympathies online, sending “sincere condolences and sympathy to our cousins for the martyrdom of a new group of family members” doing so “with hearts that believe in God’s will and destiny.” Emad asked that “[…] the Almighty […] have mercy and forgiveness for them. And to gather them with the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous, and good are those companions. O God, raise them to the highest ranks and write them among the righteous with You.” Rahiq Zourob, a neighbour of the Abu Taha family also shared condolences – “O God, reward our neighbours for their loss. A martyr from our neighbour’s house, the house of Abu Taha […].”
A photograph was shared of funereal rites, with a group of men praying over seven body bags, some blood stained.
Where sources identified belligerents, all sources attributed the alleged artillery and/or airstrike to the Israeli Military.
The incident occured at approximately 12:50 am local time.
The victims were named as:
Family members (9)
Summary
Sources (22) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]
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Source: Al Qadiha Al Islamia al falstinia -
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Source: Amar Weqaf f -
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Source: Mahmoud Gazy -
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Source: Ghazawia Hora -
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Source: Emad Taha -
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Source: matarid bani sahyun -
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Source: Mosbah Abu Taha Abu Jundi -
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Source: Almayadeen News -
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