Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0644

Incident date

October 27, 2023

Location

برج سكني غرب مدينة غزة في حي الشاطئ, A residential tower west of Gaza City in the Al-Shati neighbourhood, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

At least 42 civilians were killed, and dozens reportedly injured, at dawn on the 27th of October 2023, as a result of an alleged Israeli bombing of a residential tower between Hamid Street and Ashkelon Mosque, in the area by the Zant Pharmacy, that was housing internally displaced people, located in the Majadala neighborhood of the Al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City. Some sources put the death toll at over a hundred.

“Cairo News” channel reported that civil defence forces and citizens recovered the bodies of 42 people after the alleged bombing at the Al-Shati neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip. Additional sources, including Al Jazeera, published that the bodies of at least 42 people were recovered. Other sources, such as Nabd News reported that more than 100 people were killed as a result of the incident, while also emphasising the fact that this was a camp hosting displaced people. The highest death toll was provided by Mohammad Jamil, who put the number of killed at “more than 110”. RT News added that in addition to the large number of deaths were a large number of injuries, while Gaza Islam reported “hundreds” of injuries.

Shehab Agency reported the incident as breaking news and added that there were dozens of casualties as a result of the bombing of the homes of the following families in Al-Shati camp: Al-Quqa, Abu Mathkur, Abu Hani, Sheikh Mahfut, Madi, and Abdel Samad.

Videos of the incident shared by Abdulla Zueiter on Facebook showed the site shortly after the incident. A crowd of people gathered around a large fire burning in the ruins of a destroyed building. Firefighters can be seen trying to put the fire out.

Another video shared by Maryam Sayed Lavin on Facebook showed civilians, mostly women and young children, running from the site of the incident. Some have blood on them, all are covered in dust. Fires can be seen burning behind them.

Ayman Abdulaziz reported the incident on Facebook alongside an image of the total destruction the following day, credited to photographer Mohammed Al-Masri. The image showed an entire residential block reduced to rubble, with neighbouring buildings significantly damaged too. Civilians can be seen walking around the site of the destruction.

A Facebook post from the “Medical services – Gaza Strip” stated that the “ambulance and emergency crews at the General Directorate of Ansar Station” responded to the bombing of Al-Shati camp, along with images of at least one injured man covered in soot being treated for injuries in an ambulance and at a medical facility.

Where sources mentioned a belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 111
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–200
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ayman Abdulaziz facebook
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    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
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    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
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    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
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    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
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    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
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    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
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    Source: Esraa Ashoor facebook
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    Source: Shatha Al hatiya facebook
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    Source: Shatha Al hatiya facebook
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    Source: Shatha Al hatiya facebook
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    Source: Shatha Al hatiya facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medical services Gaza facebook
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    Source: Medical services Gaza facebook
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    Source: Medical services Gaza facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medical services Gaza facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medical services Gaza facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medical services Gaza facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medical services Gaza facebook
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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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 111
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–200
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]