Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0530

Incident date

October 23, 2023

Location

جوار مدرسة محمد يوسف النجار، حي البرازيل، رفح, Vicinity of Mohamed Yousef An-Najjar School, Brazil neighborhood, Rafah city, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.270713, 34.254047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 16 people, including 11 children, were killed and a number of others injured after an alleged Israeli bombardment on the al-Naja residence in the Brazil neighbourhood of Rafah at dawn on October 23rd, 2023.

The patriarch of the family, 59-year-old Hosni Abu al-Naja was killed along with his wife, 49-year old Yasmine Mahmoud Abu Naja. Their son, 30-year-old Muhammad Hosni Ahmed Abu Naja, was killed, as was his wife, 24-year-old Maysoon Jasser Muhammad Khafaja. Hosni and Yasmine’s daughters – 15-year-old Batoul Hosni Ahmed Abu Naja, 13-year-old Maryam and 12-year-old Aya – were also killed, as were their two sons: 10-year-old Zechariah and 7-year-old Isa.

Along with their children, several of Hosni and Yasmine’s grandchildren were also killed. 10-year-old Ibrahim Islam Ali Abu Sanjar was killed along with his three brothers—Mustafa Islam Ali Abu Sanjar (2 or 3), Malik Islam Ali Abu Sanjar (6), Anas Islam Ali Abu Sanjar (5)—and sister, 8-year-old Yusra Islam Ali Abu Sanjar. It is unclear as to what became of the parents of these children.

Two others were killed: 26-year-old Israa Khalil Ahmed Baroud and 15-year-old Osama Suleiman Brahma.

Information regarding the deceased has been relatively scant. Hosni Abu al-Naja has been described as both a Sheikh and professor. A post on Facebook from Abdullah al-Oms described him as a “good man” and “honourable.”

Sources attached photographs of Mohammad and his father. While social media condolence posts were brief in their descriptions, multiple lamented the loss of members of the family, attaching prayers and hopes for heavenly rest.

Middle East Observer stated that the victims were “transferred to Abu Youssef Al-Najjar and Al-Kuwaiti hospitals.” Multiple sources mentioned “injuries” but did not specify how many injuries.

According to Afnan Kholoud Nahed, the location which was struck, Hosni Abu Al-Naga’s house, was completely destroyed.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all 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 incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (14)

Hosni Abu al-Naja حسني أبو النجا
59 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 905117982
Yasmine Mahmoud Abu Naja ياسمين محمود أبو نجا
49 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 900206343
Muhammad Hosni Ahmed Abu Naja محمد حسني أحمد أبو نجا
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804483493
Maysoon Jasser Muhammad Khafaja ميسون جاسر محمد خفاجة
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404589376
Batoul Hosni Ahmed Abu Naja بتول حسني أحمد أبو نجا
15 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 422359497
Maryam Abu Naja مريم حسني أحمد ابو نجا
13 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429283906
Aya Abu Naja آية حسني أحمد ابو نجا
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430177055
Zechariah Abu Naja زكريا حسني أحمد ابو نجا
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 434056487
Isa Abu Naja عيسى حسني أحمد ابو نجا
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 437079338
Ibrahim Islam Ali Abu Sanjar إبراهيم إسلام علي أبو سنجر
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 433752649
Mustafa Islam Ali Abu Sanjar مصطفي إسلام علي أبو سنجر
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445245277
Malik Islam Ali Abu Sanjar مالك إسلام علي أبو سنجر
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438176265
Anas Islam Ali Abu Sanjar أنس إسلام علي أبو سنجر
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440693190
Yusra Islam Ali Abu Sanjar يسرى إسلام علي أبو سنجر
8 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 435147434

The victims were named as:

Israa Khalil Ahmed Baroud إسراء خليل أحمد بارود
26 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 402911077
Osama Suleiman Brahma أسامة سليمان براهمة
15 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 422363440

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of Mohamed Yousef An-Najjar School (مدرسة محمد يوسف النجال) in the Brazil neighbourhood (حي البرازيل) in Rafah city (رفح). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.270713, 34.254047.

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  • Imagery:
    Alaa zanoon

  • Imagery:
    Alaa zanoon

  • Imagery:
    Alaa zanoon

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (11 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdallah al-oms
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel abu naja abu musa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad hasan al-tahrawi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adli abu taha
  • 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (11 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]