On the night of Thursday, June 6th, 2024, a declared Israeli airstrike hit the “Al-Sardi” Preparatory Boys’ School in Camp 2, located in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip. The school, affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), was being used as a shelter for displaced persons at the time of the bombing.

According to multiple reports, the airstrike destroyed three classrooms where families were sleeping with their children, resulting in 37 to 45 fatalities, including a significant number of women and children, and dozens of injuries. Among those killed, Airwars has identified 37 people, 34 of whom have been recorded as civilians; 12 to 16 of whom were children. Three individuals have been recorded as militants. These assessments will be updated should additional information become available.

Initial reporting regarding the number of those killed

Social media posts by @Hakeam_ps and @_hiima on ‘X’ described the immediate aftermath, with @_hiima noting the increasing number of victims “from 7 to 20 to 30 in minutes.” The Ministry of Health in Gaza and UNRWA have both described the event as a massacre, confirming the number of deaths to be between 35 and 45. According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, who shared a photo of the heavy explosion, up to 45 people were killed.

Official Statements

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed responsibility for the airstrike on the UN school in Nuseirat. According to a statement by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the strike was aimed at “dozens of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists” who were allegedly operating from classrooms within the “Al-Sardi” Preparatory Boys’ School, affiliated with UNRWA. The IDF stated that the operation was based on “concrete intelligence” from multiple sources, suggesting that the individuals in the school were planning imminent attacks against Israelis. The strike was allegedly delayed twice to ensure civilians were not present, and the IDF said that their Air Force used “precise munitions” to target the three specific classrooms where the suspects were hiding.

In addition, the IDF provided an infographic with the names of nine men that were “eliminated” and their alleged affiliation with militant groups or activities. The names of these nine individuals were Abd al-Aati Masmah, Rashid Farid Omar Al-Babli, Ahmed Khatib, Musab Hafez Darwish, Ahmed Salah Mesbah Mansour, Mohammed Barham, Mahmoud Muhtasab, and Salim Ramadan al-Afsh. The IDF later released another infographic with the names of “8 additional Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists, who were eliminated in a precise strike in the @UNRWA school in Nuseirat. The names provided were Ahmed Shahada Abu Mukhaimer (image and age does not match those provided by local sources, Maher Mahmoud Abd al-Fattah Fadel, (Arfat) Jamil Sulieman al-Maqadma, Shaheen Mahmoud Abu Al-Sharif, Saeed Muhammad Ahmed Issa, Magd Ate Muhammed Darwish, Mazen (Hassan Aqab) Abu Zaher, and Moatasem Muffed Muhammed Shakra.

Airwars has recorded six of these men as civilians and three of these men as militants, for reasons outlined below.

In recording the deaths of these nine men, Airwars is following a casualty recording methodology that has been applied across conflict contexts since the organisation’s inception in 2014. Per this methodology, when the only source associating an individual with a militant group is the alleged perpetrator, Airwars includes the reference in the context of the assessment but the allegation does not influence the assumption of civilian status unless Airwars finds evidence to the contrary. How and why Airwars has recorded the civilian/militant status for these nine men is detailed, below.

The statement from the IDF claimed that “dozens” of those killed in the strike were “Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists” and were involved in the October 7th attacks, in which more than a thousand people in Israel, most of whom were civilians, were killed.

The Government Media Office in Gaza refuted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) statements regarding the airstrike on the “Al-Sardi” Preparatory Boys’ School in Nuseirat. In a statement shared on social media by Khalid Eabdalsalam Abw Walid on June 7th, the office claimed that the IDF disseminated false information about the identities of individuals killed in the airstrike. According to the statement, the list provided by the IDF included names of people who were still alive, one individual who had been residing abroad for years, and others who were killed in separate incidents at different times and locations, such as in Al-Bureij and Al-Maghazi camps. The media office further criticized the IDF for falsely claiming that no children were killed in the Nuseirat bombing, asserting that the documented fatalities, including children, contradict this claim and shared a list of names of children killed during the airstrike.

Family members killed together

Reports from the Government Media Office and social media posts by Khalid Eabdalsalam Abw Walid and Amjad Olyyan detailed the deaths of 14 children in the ‘Nuseirat massacre’.

The lists of the victims provided on social media and tributes shared by family members and friends also helped Airwars to identify the names of 38 people killed. Three of these individuals have been recorded as militants. The details of these classifications are below.

12-year-old boy Ahmed Mohammed Youssef Hussein was killed alongside his 18-year-old sister Nour Alaiqain Mohammed Youssef Hussein. Some sources, including the Government Media Office, initially mentioned that Nour Mohammed Hussein was 12 years old, but the Ministry of Health in its latest list of fatalities in Gaza and Shireen Observatory listed Nour as 18 years old.

73-year-old Hassan Iqab Hussain Abu Zahir (Abu Mazen) was killed alongside his family members, a 10-year-old boy Ibrahim Ayman Radhi Abu Zahir and Mazen (Hassan Iqab) Abu Zahir who was likely the son of Hassan. Facebook user Abo Danial mourned the loss of his uncle Hassan and his cousin Ibrahim. The government media office list mentioned 15-year-old Hassan Iqab Abu Zaher among the fatalities. That his age was reported as 15 may have been a mistake given that Hassan Abu Zaher was referred to as “uncle” and was referred to as ‘Abu Mazen’ which may mean he had a son. Moreover, both the Ministry of Health list of Fatalities in Gaza and Shireen Observatory indicated his age as 73, and no child was listed with the same name in both sources.

Yousef Ahmed Ayyad was also reportedly killed alongside his wife and his children, the names and ages of whom were not found online.

Family and friends also mourned the loss of an elderly man Ahmed Shahada Abu Mukhaimer on social media following the airstrike. Mohammed Al Namla described him as a friend and nephew, and referred to him as “beloved”, expressing hope for a reunion in heaven. Sheda Mokhaimer Abo Ghasan referred to Ahmed as a “hero,” lamenting his death in the bombing of the school. Eng. Ruba Arfat called Ahmed her “uncle” and shared her sorrow with the words, “You lived well and ascended as a martyr.” Yousef Shehda shared a prayer for Ahmed on social media, writing, “My brother Ahmed Mukhaimer is in the hospitality of the Most Gracious.” The relatives shared an image of the late Ahmed  – a smiling elderly man with grey hair and a grey beard wearing a black striped T-shirt.

33-year-old Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Hussain Al-Talaa, another victim of the airstrike, was remembered as a young man of strong character who his family and friends deeply loved. Islam Al Talaa called him “our beloved martyr, our cousin.” Mohammed Altala described him as a “great hero” and cousin, expressing the pain of losing someone so close. Ahmed Al Talaa Abo Yazan shared that Abdul Muhaimin was “brave, polite, faithful, honest, and ambitious.” Friends also shared their grief; Mohammed Marwan called him “a study friend at Palestine Technical College” and expressed heartbreak over the news of his passing. Mahmoud Abo Bassem Bassem grieved him as a nephew. They all shared images of the late Abdul – a young man with dark hair and a trimmed beard wearing a black jacket and a warm black scarf in one of the images. In another image, he is pictured standing in front of the sea wearing a beige shirt and jeans.

Four members of the Issa family were killed in the bombing, leaving their relatives and community in deep grief. Al Burij Tajmuna referred to them as “precious moons,” naming 62-year-old man Abdul-Hai Muhammad Ahmad Issa, 55-year-old man Saeed Muhammad Ahmad Issa, and Saeed’s sons, 13-year-old Omar Saeed Muhammad Issa and 9-year-old Abdullah Saeed Muhammad Issa, while expressing sorrow over their loss. Mohammed Issa described Abdul-Hai and Saeed as his uncles and mourned the death of their sons, writing, “We mourn to the eternal gardens the moons of the Al-Issa family.” Ismail Issa also shared his grief, calling Abdul-Hai and Saeed his uncles and expressing prayers for their forgiveness and peace, along with Saeed’s sons, Omar and Abdullah. He shared the images of the perished family members, including two boys who were captured in a souvenir shop.

52-year-old Dr. Iyad Suleyman NimrSalila (Abu Suleiman), his wife Samar Abu Dalfa, and their children, 12-year-old daughter Retaj Iyad Suleyman Salila and eight-year-old son Muhammad Iyad Suleyman Salila were killed in the bombing. Dr. Iyad and Samar’s eldest son, Suleyman Iyad Salila, was injured. Aya Ali expressed condolences on behalf of the Abu Dalfa, Ali, and Al-Halou families, lamenting the loss of Dr. Iyad and his family while praying for Suleiman’s recovery. Nader Al-Jaru shared that Dr. Iyad was his aunt’s husband. DT Salem Solila confirmed the deaths of his uncle Iyad, his wife, and their children Retaj and Muhammad, asking for prayers. Anwar Alashi also offered condolences to the family. They all shared an image of the late Iyad – a middle-aged smiling man wearing a grey three-piece suit with a white shirt and a grey striped tie.

According to a Facebook post by Khalef Alqate’a, 21-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim Suleiman Darwish died of his injuries due to the airstrike at the UNRWA School. His family members, 50-year-old Kamel Mohammed Abdullah Darwish and 28-year-old Musab Hafez Suleiman Darwish were also among the victims of the deadly strike.

Facebook user Heba HD grieved the loss of her uncle Kamel and her cousin Musab, writing “My Lord, have mercy on all our martyrs who came to you and settled as guests beside you, leaving behind their families, money and children, defending the truth, raising the banner of Islam and defeating the unjust enemy.”

Individuals killed in the strike on the Al-Sardi School

Among the other victims mentioned by the sources were children: 11-year-old boy Mahmoud Sami Musleh Faraj Allah, Shaheen Mahmoud Ibrahim Al-Sharif (an 8 or 17-year-old boy, according to different sources), and 16-year-old Saher Ahmed Salman Al-Qarnawi.

Riyad Abu Samra was also reportedly killed in the strike. Additional information, including Riyad’s age when he was killed, is currently unavailable. This assessment will be updated should additional information come to light.

According to the post by Amjad Olyyan, among the victims were also two unidentified children aged 13 and 14, whose dismembered bodies remained unrecognizable at the time of reporting.

Footage shared by Omar Al Mashaqba showed Palestinians working to collect the remains of the young victims in the rubble. Shu al Khabr sah and Deco News shared images of people on what looks to be the school hallways, with the lower floor seen as severely damaged, matching the claims by social media accounts like Beñ Śbaå Mârwä that “three classrooms in the first school opposite the Al-Majd building in the Nuseirat camp” were hit by the airstrike.

40-year-old Arafat Jamil Salman Al-Muqaddamah, also known as Abu Musab, was also among those killed in the bombing of Al-Sardi School. Safeht Al Burij Al Rasmea lamented his loss, describing him as “the son of Al-Bureij camp,” and offered prayers for his family and relatives. Um Ayoub shared condolences, referring to him as “our brother,” and shared an image of him wearing a police uniform. While armed groups in Gaza are known to contribute personnel to the Gaza police force, as Airwars did not find any connection between Arafat and an armed group, he has been considered among the count of those civilians killed. This will be updated should additional information come to light.

27-year-old Mustafa Ramadan Khaled Al-Afash (Abu Kariman), the brother of 21-year-old Salim Ramadan Khaled Al-Afash (Abu Anas) was also killed in the strike. Salim has been recorded as a militant, for reasons outlined below. Family members and friends remembered the brothers as a pair. Wael A. Alafish described Mustafa and Salim as his dear brothers, expressing deep sorrow for their loss. The two young men were described by their cousin Khader Sha’aban Abo Haia as “moons in heaven in the eternal gardens.” Fayez Ali, another relative, also expressed sorrow, referring to the brothers as “my cousins” and praying for them. Both Mustafa and Salim were named as militants on an IDF infographic. For reasons outlined below, Salim has been recorded as a militant. However, as Airwars did not find independent information pointing to Mustafa as belonging to a militant group, he has been recorded as a civilian. This will be updated should additional information become available.

Wael A. Alafish also mentioned his cousin, 33-year-old Abd al-Ati Masmah (Abdul Ati Mesmah), and his neighbour, 24-year-old Ahmed Salah Mesbah Mansour, as among those killed in the bombing. The IDF named Abd al-Ati as an “Islamic Jihad military operative” and Ahmed as an “Islamic Jihad military operative in the engineering field”. While Abdul Ati Mesmah’s personal Facebook profile included some posts memorializing militants killed in the past (one of whom was a family member), there was no information online that indicated that he was a militant himself. As Airwars did not find independent information pointing to Abd al-Ati or Ahmed Salah as belonging to a militant group themselves, both men have been recorded as civilians. This will be updated should additional information become available.

The infographic shared by the IDF included an image of Musab Hafez Suleiman Darwish, a relative of Mohammed and Kamel Darwish, alleging that Musab was a “Hamas military operative in the Nukhba Forces”. As the IDF source was the only one found by Airwars contesting his civilan status, Musab has been recorded as a civilian. This will be adjusted should additional information come to light.

The airstrike also killed Mohammed Barham, who was named by the IDF as an “Islamic Jihad military operative responsible for security and operations”. As Airwars did not find independent information pointing to Mohammed as having a militant status, he has been recorded as a civilian. This will be updated should additional information become available.

25-year-old man Ali Hassan Amin Al-Banna was also reportedly killed. The IDF named Ali as an “Islamic Jihad military operative”. However, as Airwars did not find independent information pointing to Ali as having a militant status, he has been recorded as a civilian. This will be updated should additional information become available.

The IDF also named 22-year-old Mahmoud Muhtasab as an “Islamic Jihad military operative”. However, with no other publicly available information to support this claim Mahmoud has been recorded as a civilian. This will be updated should additional information become available.

Sources such as Khalefelkatea and Amjad Olyyan, both of whom posted to Facebook, wrote that a child, “Mahmoud Al-Muhtaseb (9 years old)”, was killed. It is unclear whether these sources are referring to the 22-year-old Mahmoud. As such, Mahmoud has been included in the upper ranges for the number of civilians and children killed, but not in the lower ranges. This will be updated should additional information become available.

Recording militants

At the time of writing, Airwars found sources independently referring to the militant status of Rashid al-Babli, Ahmed Khalil al-Khatib, and Salim Ramadan al-Afsh, who were also named as militants in an infographic shared by the IDF. As such, these three men have been recorded as militants. As the IDF infographic was the only sources which referred to the six other men as militants, in line with Airwars’ methodology, they have been recorded as civilians. This will be updated should additional information come to light.

Rashid al-Babli (Rashed Bubly) was named by the IDF as a “Hamas military operative in the Nukhba Forces”. Based on images found on Rashid al-Babli’s personal Facebook profile which show him with an Islamic Jihad logo and a weapon, Rashid has been classified as a militant.

27-year-old Ahmed Khalil al-Khatib was named by the IDF as an “Islamic Jihad military operative in the Artillery Unit”. An image shared to Ahmed’s personal account on October 28th, 2019 shows Ahmed in a uniform matching that worn by members of Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigade.

Salim Ramadan al-Afsh was named by the IDF as an “Islamic Jihad military operative in the Nukhba Forces”. Looking at Salim’s personal Facebook account, he had been active in photographing daily life in Nuseirat Camp since May 2024. Many of the images are from food distribution events and of children. However, images shared to Salim’s personal Instagram account in 2021 have led Airwars to record him as a militant. Specifically, a series of images shared to a archived story titled “Military brigade” show Salim in civilian clothing and posing with individuals carrying weapons and wearing uniforms identifying them as Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This assessment will be updated should additional information come to light.

Families and individuals were sheltering in the school; many who were injured and killed were transferred to Al-Aqsa Hospital

The airstrike killed families who had sought refuge in the school. @k7ybnd99 shared on X, “This morning, in this school, these displaced people were sleeping with their children. Israel bombed them and killed more than 30, half of whom were children, in addition to dozens of wounded.”

According to Edmonton World News 24, the bodies of the victims and several wounded were transferred to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, while the Ministry of Health in Gaza described the event as a “massacre.” The hospital struggled to accommodate all of the injured individuals, many of whom were in critical condition. Rabii Lama posted an image of a young boy receiving medical attention for injuries, with blood visible on his face and arm and bandages covering his wounds. Another photo showed a scene of bodies covered with sheets.

Reconciling names and matching demographic information of those killed

Where possible, the names of the victims have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) lists, which include national ID numbers. Since October 26, 2023, the MoH has released seven lists, along with an additional list of medical professionals, which was released on September 17, 2024. In regard to this incident, most of the names were matched to the fifth, sixth, and seventh Palestinian Ministry of Health List of Fatalities in Gaza lists, which were released on July 24, 2024; September 16, 2024; and October 23, 2024 respectively.

The ages of some victims have been found by cross-checking names against lists of fatalities shared online by Shireen Monitor, an organization that has a list of “Martyrs of Palestine” from 2023 onward.

Although the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed the strike, they fell short of acknowledging the civilian harm resulting from it. Therefore, Airwars has graded the Strike Status of the incident as Declared, and Civilian Harm Status as Fair.

On June 7, 2024, the official Twitter/X account of the Israel Defense Forces posted an infographic with names and images of seven individuals that it claimed were militants and killed in the June 6 attack. Airwars has not found evidence connecting any of the seven named individuals to armed groups. However, Airwars is continuing to review the incident and will share a final update in the coming days. This update was posted on June 5, 2025.