Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0447

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

محافظة دير البلح, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.414521, 34.350099 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Saturday, October 21, 2023, the Al-Masry family home in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza Strip, was allegedly bombed by Israeli forces, resulting in at least seven deaths and at least eight injuries.

63-year old Ramadan al-Masry (also known as Abu Munther) and his wife, 63-year old Intisar al-Masry (also known as Umm Munther) were killed alongside their son, 25-year old Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry, daughter-in-law, 24-year old Rawan al-Masry, daughter Iman al-Masry and two grandsons, one-year old  Ayman Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry (the son of Ahmed and Rawan al-Masry) and 11-year old Yahya Shaheen (the son of Iman al-Masry).

Family members and friends of the Al-Masry wrote heartfelt tributes on social media, where they described their grief.

Ahmed al-Masry was the Muezzin and imam at the Abu Salim Mosque, and was described as a “beautiful preacher,” who had “memorized the Book of God.” Facebook user Reda Al-Bahrawi Abu Munis claimed that he left behind “a legacy of faith and noble service” and was a “symbol of dedication and sincerity.”  His sacrifice, Reda wrote, “reminds us of unity and dedication to serving God and society.” In a picture included by Twitter/X user Arafa al-Masry, he can be seen carrying his son, wearing graduation regalia. His son Ayman, has his father’s graduation cap perched on his head.

Yahya Shaheen was the only son of Sultan Shaheen and Iman al-Masry. Multiple images show him smiling with his father. Yahya was described as “the first in his class.” At his young age, he had already memorized the Quran.

Multiple photographs showed the destruction in the wake of the strike. Nabd News included images of medics and civil defense members carrying wounded civilians into the hospital. One crew member can be seen cradling an elderly gentleman, covered in dust, as he brings him to receive medical attention. Other photographs show medics caring for women, one of whom has a severe head injury, blood staining her hijab. Though written references to the number of injured are not available, images show at least eight wounded.

Images of the street show the building reduced to rubble.

Where the sources identified the belligerent, sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ramadan Suleiman Youssef al-Masry رمضان سليمان يوسف المصري
63 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 918230277
Intisar Jaber Mohammad al-Masry انتصار جابر محمد المصري
63 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 974971954
Ahmed Ramadan Suleiman al-Masry أحمد رمضان سليمان المصري
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 411152200
Rawan Anwar Jaber al-Masry روان انور جابر المصري
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 405780495
Iman al-Masry إيمان المصري
Age unknown female killed
Ayman Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry أيمن أحمد رمضان المصري
1 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445866163
Yahya Sultan Zaid Shaheen يحيى سلطان زايد شاهين
11 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 433409034

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Deir Al Balah (دير البلح). Analysing visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.414521, 34.350099.

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  • Imagery:
    Fuad

  • Imagery:
    Fuad

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Infrastructure
    Residential
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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 (64) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PalinfoAr

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    Source: @PalinfoAr

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    Source: @PalinfoAr

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    Source: @PalinfoAr

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    Source: @PalinfoAr

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    Source: @PalinfoAr

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    Source: @PalinfoAr

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    Source: @SamapressO

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    Source: @SamapressO

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    Source: @SamapressO

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    Source: @SaraNassr20

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    Source: @Hamzaalnamla1

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

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    Source: Mahmoud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abedalrahmanjamea

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    Source: Abedalrahmanjamea

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    Source: Abedalrahmanjamea

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    Source: Abedalrahmanjamea

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Halaladham

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    Source: Halaladham

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    Source: Halaladham

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Fuad

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    Source: Fuad

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    Source: Fuad

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    Source: Fuad

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    Source: Fuad

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    Source: Fuad

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    Source: Reda

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    Source: Reda

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    Source: Tasneem

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    Source: Tasneem

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    Source: Al-Sharq News - Palestine

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    Source: Ameer R. El Massry

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    Source: Reda Al-Bahrawi Abu Munis

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    Source: Reda Al-Bahrawi Abu Munis

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    Source: Tasneem in the name of

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    Source: Tasneem in the name of

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    Source: Abood Jamea

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    Source: Abood Jamea

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    Source: Abood Jamea

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    Source: Abood Jamea

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    Source: Hala Shaheen

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    Source: Hala Shaheen

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    Source: Hala Shaheen

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Saja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Saja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Saja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Saja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Saja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Saja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Saja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Masry Family Association

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Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Infrastructure
    Residential
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • 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]