Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0281

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

مسجد صلاح الدين الأيوبي, Vicinity of Salah al Din al Ayyubi Mosque, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.497186, 34.457824 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A large number of people were killed and wounded when three houses collapsed, including the Arhim family home, north of the Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Mosque in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, after reportedly being hit by a bomb from an Israeli military aircraft on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

Many of the victims who were killed and injured were recovered from the rubble but others remained trapped.

Over 20 sources reported the incident, however none provided details of how many civilians were killed and injured. Given references to ‘large numbers’ of casualties, Airwars has used a 12-24 range in both the fatality and injury fields in line with our methodology.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the incident to the Israeli Military.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Salah al Din al Ayyubi Mosque (مسجد صلاح الدين الأيوبي) to the east of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.497186, 34.457824. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: alhak313Iraq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marena

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
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]