Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0315

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

جباليا, Jabalia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.538711, 34.495107 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 18th 2023, at least 39 identified civilians, including 11 members of al-Ashqar family and eight members of al-Wardeh family, were killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the two houses in Jabalia al-Badad in the Northern Gaza Strip. Among the victims killed in the airstrike were at least six women and at least fourteen children. The number of injured is unknown, but at least one child was injured based on the available images shared on social media.

Photos of body bags and deceased and injured civilians have circulated on social media. Shehab Agency posted a picture of the funeral of al-Ashqar family members where eight bodies wrapped in white cloth, among them two children’s bodies, are to be seen.

Sources on social media helped to identify the names of the civilians that were killed in the strike belonging to different families.

al-Ashqar family

Within the al-Ashqar family, most of the victims were women and children. Muhammad Ahmed al-Ashqar (Abu Ahmed) was killed alongside his wife and son. Among the victims killed in the strike were also a 60-year-old woman, Hanan Muhammad al-Ashqar, and a 29-year old woman, Asma Ahmed Sabhi Tanbura, along with her daughter, 4-year-old Dhia Saeed Anan Tanboura. A 25-year old woman, Shaima Iyad Musa al-Ashqar, was also killed, as was a 16-year old girl, Israa Ahmed Subhi al-Ashqar, and a 7-year-old girl, Batoul Murad Ismail Yassin (al-Ashqar). The attack also took the lives of the two twin 3-year old boys, Yaman Muhammad al-Ashqar and Yamen Muhammad al-Ashqar.

Initially the post by Mohammed Zidan mentioned only eight names of the victims from al-Ashqar family, but the later testimonies contained three additional names.

Muhammad Ahmed al-Ashqar (Abu Ahmed) was remembered in a Facebok tribute by his friend Abu Hamza Hajo, sharing the images of the middle-aged man with a grey beard.

Abu Wardeh

Abu Wardeh family also has suffered significant losses consisting of mostly women and children. Among the killed family members were a 28-year-old man, Wassem Ahmed Hasan Abu Wardeh, a 28-year-old woman, Basma Ramadan Muhammma Abu Warda, an 11-year-old girl, Amal Muhammad Saleh Abu Wardeh, and four boys –  4-year-old Karam Wissam Ahmed Abu Wardeh,  2-year-old Ahmed Muhammad Saleh Abu Warda, 5-year-old Juma Muhammad Saleh Abu Wardeh, and 9-year-old Ayman Wissam Ahmad Abu Wardeh.

al-Tanani family

The al-Tanani family lost a 29-year-old man, Abdel Fattah Samir al-Tanani, along with his wife, 25-year-old Baraa Fayez Ibrahim al-Tanani, and a 24-year-old man, Abdul Rahman Samir al-Tanani. A son of Abdel and Baraa whose name is unknown was injured.

A brother of the late Abdel, Ahmed Tannan, wrote a heartfelt tribute to his relatives: “I mourn my brother, the joy of my heart, a piece of my heart, and the brother of my soul, my brother, companion, friend, and lover, Abdel Fattah al-Tanani, his wife Baraa Fayez al-Tanani, and my companion, lover, and friend, my cousin, Abdul Rahman al-Tanani.”

He attached the image of the two cousins, one of them in a Palestinian scarf.

Watan E Tanani and Ãhmad Ãbu Ãdham also mourned the death of the two cousins and posted their pictures. Osama Al-Tanani wrote: “Sorry, Abdel Fattah, yesterday was the last contact between you and me, and you were telling me that we were victorious and steadfast. This is what remains of your family, my friend”, attaching an image of their injured son with blood on his clothes and body.

al-Hassi family

Among the victims from al-Hassi family, social media sources mentioned Howaida Ahmed al-Hassi, Rizq Nimr al-Hassi, Haifa Rajab al-Hassi, Hatem Ahmed al-Hassi and Rajab Ahmed al-Hassi. Further details about their age and gender are unknown.

Gharib family

A young man Thaer Subhi Gharib was killed alongside his son, Ahmed Thaer Gharib. He was mentioned in a number of social media posts by his relatives and friends mourning his death.

Ahmed Aita Abu al-Joud posted the graphic image of the dead bodies of Thaer and his son Ahmed wrapped in a white cloth with traces of blood, writing that, “The precious Thaer Gharib is a martyr.” Thaer’s brother-in-law Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail also posted on Facebook shocking photos of Thaer and Ahmed after their death and wrote a heartfelt tribute: “And do not think that those who were killed in the cause of God are dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, being provided for. My sister’s husband, Thaer Gharib, and my nephew, Ahmed Thaer Gharib”.

Abu Nedal Krezim shared his grief over the loss of his lifelong friend, colleague, and his “brother whom his mother did not give birth to” and posted his pictures where he was still alive and smiling, in front of a car with Palestinian flags in one the pictures. In one picture Thaer can be seen with his small smiling son Ahmed.

al-Kahlout family

48-year-old Shaker Marzouk Shaker al-Kahlout was killed alongside his wife, who remains unnamed, and their children: a 4-year-old boy, Adam Shaker Marzouk al-Kahlout, and an 11-year-old daughter Sarah Hassan Marzouk al-Kahlout. The death of this family was mourned in a Facebook post by Kenan who wrote that they were his neighbours and also shared an image of the late Shaker – a man in a red T-shirt taking a picture in nature.

al-Mutawq families

Mustafa Nour al-Mutawq was killed along with Muhammad Yusuf al-Mutawq. Mahmoud al-Kahlot dedicated a Facebook post to the “beloved” Muhammad Yusuf al-Mutawq, sharing an image of a young smiling bearded man in a suit. Muhammad was also remembered in the posts by Omar King and Muhammad Farah.

Other victims

Among the other victims listed in social media testimonies were Muhammad Abdullah Asalia, and a 24-year-old man, Zakaria Saeed Ahmed Sha’ban, as well as an 8-year old girl, Aya Nidal Akram Abu Laila.

Ahmed Asalia mourned the death of his brother Muhammad Asalia, sharing his image where a young man in a grey shirt can be seen and putting his grief into words:

“Those I love are gone

Those with whom the world is not sweet are gone

Those whom the heart adores are gone

Those who left the heart torn apart are gone.”

In another post, he shared an image of the dead Muhammad’s face covered with blood and dust.

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

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. According to the post by Kenan, the attack happened without prior warning.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Muhammad Ahmed al-Ashqar (Abu Ahmed) محمد أحمد الأشقر
Adult male killed
Wife of Muhammad Ahmed al-Ashqar (Unnamed) زوجة محمد أحمد الأشقر
Adult female killed
Son of Muhammad Ahmed al-Ashqar (Unnamed) ابن محمد أحمد الأشقر
Age unknown male killed
Hanan Muhammad al-Ashqar حنان محمد الأشقر
60 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 936375955
Asma Ahmed Sabhi Tanbura اسماء أحمد طنبورة وابنتها
29 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 400122750
Dhia Saeed Anan Tanboura ضياء سعيد طنبورة
4 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 442343984
Shaima Iyad Musa al-Ashqar شيماء إياد الأشقر
25 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404320665
Israa Ahmed Subhi al-Ashqar إسراء أحمد الأشقر
16 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 421886854
Batoul Murad Ismail Yassin (al-Ashqar) بتول مراد ياسين
7 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 437323066
Yaman Muhammad al-Ashqar يمان محمد الأشق
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 442840542
Yamen Muhammad al-Ashqar يامن محمد الأشقر
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 442840534

Family members (7)

Wassem Ahmed Hasan Abu Wardeh وسام أحمد أبو وردة
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400663050
Basma Ramadan Muhammma Abu Warda بسمة رمضان أبووردة
28 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 400895462
Amal Muhammad Saleh Abu Wardeh أمال محمد أبو وردة
8 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 433249885
Karam Wissam Ahmed Abu Wardeh كرم وسام أبو وردة
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441369410
Ahmed Muhammad Saleh Abu Warda أحمد محمد أبو وردة
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445262694
Juma Muhammad Saleh Abu Wardeh جمعة صالح أبو وردة
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440424620
Ayman Wissam Ahmad Abu Wardeh أيمن وسام أبو وردة
9 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 435221437

Family members (4)

Abdel Fattah Samir al-Tanani عبدالفتاح سمير الطناني
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400124202
Baraa Fayez Ibrahim al-Tanani براء فايز الطناني
25 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404071268
Abdul Rahman Samir al-Tanani عبدالرحمن سمير الطناني
24 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 404071268
Son of Abdel Fattah Samir al-Tanani (Unnamed) ابن عبدالفتاح سمير الطناني
Age unknown male injured

Family members (5)

Howaida Ahmed al-Hassi هويدة أحمد الهسي
Age unknown female killed
Rizq Nimr al-Hassi رزق نمر الهسي
Age unknown male killed
Haifa Rajab al-Hassi هيفاء رجب الهسي
Age unknown female killed
Hatem Ahmed al-Hassi حاتم أحمد الهسي
Age unknown male killed
Rajab Ahmed al-Hassi رجب أحمد الهس
Age unknown male killed

Family members (2)

Thaer Subhi Gharib ثائر صبحي غريب
Adult male killed
Ahmed Thaer Gharib أحمد ثائر غري
Child male killed

Family members (4)

Shaker Marzouk Shaker al-Kahlout شاكر مرزوق شاكر الكحلوت
48 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 901016451
Wife of Shaker Marzouk Shaker Al-Kahlout (Unnamed) زوجة شاكر مرزوق شاكر الكحلوت
Adult female killed
Adam Shaker Marzouk al-Kahlout آدم شاكر الكحلوت
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441148582
Sarah Hassan Marzouk al-Kahlout سارة حسن الكحلوت
11 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430073379

Family members (2)

Mustafa Nour al-Mutawq مصطفى نور المطوق
Age unknown male killed
Muhammad Yusuf al-Mutawq محمد يوسف المطوق
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Abdullah Asalia محمد عبدالله عسلية
Age unknown killed
Zakaria Saeed Ahmed Sha’ban زكريا سعيد شعبان
24 years old killed Matched to MoH ID 405181611
Aya Nidal Akram Abu Laila أية نضال أبو ليل
8 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 435963194

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike on a residential building in Jabalia (جباليا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jabalia are: 31.538711, 34.495107.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39
  • (14–15 children7 women8–9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (49) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: The brave ones
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Husain Al-Ashqar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nedaa A Alashqar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Hamza Hajo
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Hamza Hajo
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Hamza Hajo
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Hamza Hajo
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: Abdel Moneim Mansour Mansour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

    Source: Abu Nedal Krezim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Nedal Krezim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Nedal Krezim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Nedal Krezim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Aita Abu Al-Joud
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

    Source: Maher R Saleh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Maher R Saleh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

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

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

    Source: Osama Al-Tanani
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Osama Al-Tanani
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

    Source: Ãhmad Ãbu Ãdham
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ãhmad Ãbu Ãdham
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

    Source: Mahmoud Al-Kahlot
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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
    39
  • (14–15 children7 women8–9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]