Incident Code

ISPT0269

Location

جوار مسجد الكنز, Vicinity of al Kanz Mosque, Gaza, Palestinian territories

Geolocation

31.519096, 34.447287
Accuracy: Nearby landmark

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

On October 16th 2023, 11 civilians were reportedly killed and between 10 and 17 others were injured by an alleged Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment for the Ammar family near Al-Kanz Mosque in the Al-Rimal neighborhood  in central Gaza City.

Airwars identified the names of 11 members of the Ammar family who were killed. Three brothers – sons of Abdul Mohsen, 46 year old Osama Abdel Mohsen Ammar, 43 year old Iyad Abdel Mohsen Ammar and 37 year old Ahmed Abdel Mohsen Ammar were all killed. In addition, Ahmed’s two sons were also among those killed: Noman Ammar and Saeed Ammar. A post from Abu Ismail Al-Kajk described Osama as “the best brother and friend”.

During the same attack, two brothers – sons of Bashir Ammar, 61 year old Osama Hani Ammar and 64 year old Bayan Hani Ammar, were also reported to be victims of the incident. Alongside the brothers, Bayan’s wife, 52 year old Bushra Ammar and their child, 12 year old Mays Ammar, were killed according to a Facebook post by a friend. A post from Waheeb Osama gave condolences to his father Osama and his uncle Bayan, adding that his mother had died four months before “and my father could not bear her separation due to his excessive love for her”. Waheeb added that “my two brothers are in the hospital. My middle brother is in stable condition and the youngest is in stable condition, but in intensive care.”

A post by user Minsa pays tribute to his former student 23 year old Fahmy Bashir Ammar who worked in Al-Harazin Market in Al-Nasr. He has also been described as ‘the beloved, the kind, the precious’ in a further post on social media. Fatima Bashir Ammar, 16 years old, a sibling of Fahmy was also killed. An image posted by Ahmed Al-Helou shows the young Fatima in a pink head scarf.

Initial reporting of the incident recorded four fatalities and the injuries of 10 others, supported by an image capturing the injured being transported to hospital. However, reports from friends and family the day after the strike indicate the death of eleven civilians. A further 17 others were also reportedly injured, with some left in critical condition, according to a statement by members of the family. An image posted by @Mustafa3Ahed shows one man being brought to a medical facility on a stretcher.

In cases where sources attributed responsibility for the strike, they held the Israeli military responsible.

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

Victims

Family members (5)

Osama Abdel Mohsen Ammar أسامة عبد المحسن عمار
46 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 953822871
Iyad Abdel Mohsen Ammar إياد عبد المحسن عمار
43 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801022344
Ahmed Abdel Mohsen Ammar حمد عبد المحسن عمار
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801560749
Noman Ammar نعمان عمار
Age unknown male killed
Saeed Ammar سعيد عمار
Age unknown male killed

Family members (6)

Osama hani Ammar أسامة هاني عمار
61 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 943743443
Son of Osama ابن أسامة عمار
male injured
Son of Osama ابن أسامة عمار
male injured
Bayan hani Ammar بيان هاني عمار
64 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 943743435
Bushra Ammar بشرى عمار
52 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 910719814
Mays Ammar ميس عمار
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 431570324

Family members (2)

Fahmy Bashir Ammar فهمي بشير عمار
23 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 405993056
Fatima Bashir Ammar فاطمة بشير عمار
16 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 422111476

Key Information

Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
11
2–4 Children, 1 Woman, 6–8 Men
Civilians reported injured
10–17
2 Men

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of al Kanz mosque (مسجد بلال بن رباح) in Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.519096, 34.447287. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

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

Media From Sources (10)