Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0306

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

بيت لاهيا, Beit Lahia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.551277, 34.509233 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one person was killed and at least five people injured, one critically, after an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Salem residence in the northern city of Beit Lahia around dawn on October 17th, 2023.

Safa News Agency reported the state of injuries, stating that “several” people had been injured and one of these was “serious.” It is unclear how many people sustained wounds. Images posted by the Palestinian Ministry of Interior show at least five different people, three of them children (including an infant and a toddler) being treated by medical crews for their wounds.

The Salem family home, which is opposite the al-Misbah Elementary School, was searched for remains, and a body was uncovered under the rubble. Identification, including name, was not released. Further, a source on Facebook, Maher al-Hijazi, claimed that “a number” of people had been killed, but this as not been reported by other sources.

The incident occured around dawn.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Lahia (بيت لاهيا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.551277, 34.509233. 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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

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
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]