Airwars assessment
As many as 49 civilians, including up to 18 children, were killed in the deadliest single event of the May 2021 Israeli – Palestinian conflict, which has become informally known as the ‘Wahda Street Massacre’. Dozens more were injured – as many as 50, according to Sana News – in a series of Israeli airstrikes that hit al-Wahda Street in the Rimal district of Gaza City in the early hours of 16th May 2021.
There are a significant number of reports, including media reporting and eyewitness accounts, of the strikes, which destroyed several residential apartment buildings on the street along with the Gaza Labour Ministry, and damaged the Gaza Ministry of Social Development and the offices of Medicins Sans Frontieres. A 5-storey apartment block belonging to the al-Awf family and containing 10 apartments was totally destroyed causing a large number of civilian casualties, according to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. Another apartment block, owned by the al-Kulak family, was also destroyed with a significant loss of life.
Civilian deaths in the strikes were extremely high, given the residential nature of the buildings and the timing of the strikes, with a number of sources (Al Mezan, the New York Times, Amnesty International) reporting them as taking place around 1a.m. Various sources report that as many as 23 members of the al-Kulak family were killed in the strike, including up to nine children; and up to 16 members of the al-Ouf family were killed, including as many as six children. B’Tselem reported that 22 members of the al-Kulak family were killed in two adjacent buildings.
Overall death figures from the strike have continued to climb since the event, with further deaths reported until 5 June, as one victim – Diana Ziad Abu al-Ouf al-Yaziji – succumbed to her wounds in hospital.
Fahad al-Haddad, an emergency medicine specialist at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza told the New Arab, a London-based media outlet, that most of the dead brought to the hospital showed no external signs of injuries, meaning they were killed by the rubble that collapsed on them while they were still alive.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has announced that 11 of the children killed in the Wahda Street strikes were engaged in a psycho-social trauma programme run by them, designed to assist children traumatised by conflict violence.
Given the high number of civilian casualties in the strike, there is an extremely significant amount of biographical evidence for those killed and injured available. Among the dead are Dr Ayman Abu al-Awf, who was head of internal medicine, including Covid-19 response, at Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in the Gaza Strip. Also killed were Dr Moein al-Awl, widely considered Gaza’s top neurologist, and Rajaa al-Awf, a widely-known psychologist and social worker.
One man lost his wife and four children in the strikes. Mr Ishkontana told the New York Times that although it was late at night and even though the feast celebrating the end of Ramadan was over, Dana Ishkontana, 9, and Lana Ishkontana, 5, wanted to dress up in their new holiday outfits. Their uncle, Raed Ishkontana, snapped pictures on his phone while their two brothers, Yahya Ishkontana, 4, and Zain Ishkontana, 2, watched, Mr. Ishkontana recalled. Then he stepped out to get snacks for the family, chocolate candy bars and potato chips. The four children and their mother were killed in an Israeli airstrike. “I wish I never left,” he said. Several other families lost multiple children, including the al-Kolak sisters (Hala (13), Yara (9) and Rula (6)) and the al-Franji siblings (Dima (15), Yazan (13), Amir (9) and Mira (11)).
B’Tselem collected testimonies from four different witnesses about the attack. Azzam al-Kolak, 41, told B’Tselem, “in a single moment, in the blink of an eye, we lost 22 of our loved ones. We are all innocent. We recieved no warning before the strike.. We’re ordinary citizens and aren’y affiliated with any organisations.”
Riyad Ishkuntana, 42, a father of five who lost his wife and four of his children in the incident told B’Tselem, “I saw a strong red flash and then there was another intense tremor. I ran to the children’s room. My wife was already there, getting them out of the room. Suddenly, the building collapsed. It all fell down, the walls, the pillars, the concrete… A few minutes later, I heard Dana and Zein shouting, “Daddy, Daddy”,” I called out to them. I don’t know if they heard me. After a few moments, I couldn’t hear their voices anymore.”
In the testimony of Rami al-Ifrangi, 45, a father of four who lost his wife and children who were staying with his wife’s family that night on Al-Wahda Street, he said he “immeditately ran over to the Abu al-‘Oaf building, where my wife and four children were. I got there in less than a minute. I saw a shocking, unbearable sight. The building and the street were totally destroyed.”
In the fourth testimony, Buthaynah Ibrahim Na’im al-Qumo, 47, a mother of five who lost her husband in the incident told B’Tselem that they had to stay under the rubble for almost three hours. She spoke of the long-term conditions her children are experiencing after they were both injured in the incident, Khaled’s “condition isn’t good – physically or mentally. He’s scared and stayed at my parents’ house where he feels safer around his uncles. He doesn’t want to turn off the light at night, and he’s also scared to go to the bathroom alone.”
The Israeli military has both admitted to carrying out the strikes and to causing civilian casualties. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Israeli army spokesperson’s office said the strike targeted Hamas’ “underground military infrastructure.” As a result of the strike, “the underground facility collapsed, causing the civilian houses’ foundations above them to collapse as well, leading to unintended casualties.”
The Associated Press reported that Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, called the situation that led to the deaths “abnormal.” He said in one location the airstrikes caused a tunnel to collapse, bringing houses down with it, “and that caused a large amount of civilian casualties, which were not the aim.” Conricus also said that the military was analyzing what happened and “attempting to recalibrate” its ordnance to prevent a reoccurrence.
The New York Times reported that according to Colonel Conricus, on the morning of May 16th, several Israeli aircraft fired 11 missiles along a 200-yard stretch of Al Wahda Street, aiming to destroy a tunnel and command centre beneath it. But while most of the adjacent buildings remained standing, the Al-Ouf family’s building collapsed in what the official described as “a freak event.” The military had not known the exact location of the command centre, nor how far it extended under nearby buildings, Colonel Conricus said. When the bombs exploded deep underground, they unexpectedly dislodged the building’s foundations, he added.
The incident occured at approximately 1:00 am local time.
The victims were named as:
Family members (23)
- Amin Muhammad Al-Kolak 90 years old male husband of Sa'diyah Yusef Taher al-Kolak killed
- Muhammad Awni Al-Kolak 17 years old male killed
- Ayat Ibrahim Al-Kolak 19 years old female Ayat Ibrahim Al-Kolak was married to Sameh Fawaz Al-Kolak and they shared a child, six month old Qusai Sameh Al-Kulak, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. All three were killed killed
- Sameh Fawaz Al-Kolak 28 years old male Sameh Fawaz Al-Kolak was married to Ayat Ibrahim Al-Kolak and they shared a child, six month old Qusai Sameh Al-Kulak, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. All three were killed. His father and al least two siblings were also reported among the dead killed
- Qusai Sameh Al-Kulak 5 months old years old male Qusai Sameh Al-Kulak was the child of Sameh Fawaz Al-Kolak and Ayat Ibrahim Al-Kolak, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights killed
- Fawaz Shukri Al-Kolak 62 years old male Fawaz Shukri Al-Kolak was the father of the following three victims, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. They also reported that he was the father of Sameh Fawaz Al-Kolak who was also killed alongside his wife and child (their deaths are recorded above) killed
- Abdul Hamid Fawaz Al-Kolak 22 years old male Abdul Hamid Fawaz Al-Kolak was the son of Fawaz Shukri Al-Kolak and the sibling of Reham Fawaz Al-Kolak, Sameh Fawaz Al-Kolak and Baha’ Amin Al-Kolak, according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights killed
- Reham Fawaz Amin Al-Kolak 32 years old female Reham Fawaz Al-Kolak was the daughter of Fawaz Shukri Al-Kolak, and the sister of at least two others who were also killed. Daily Sabah reported that she was working as an engineer in a Palestine Telecommunications company. killed
- Baha’ Amin Al-Kolak 48 years old according to B'Tselem, Baha' Amin Muhammad al-Kolak was the daughter of Amin al-Kolak and Sa'diyah al-Kolak killed
- Sa'diyah Yusef Taher al-Kolak 84 years old female husband of Amin Muhammad Hamad al-Kolak killed
- Izzat Moein Al-Kolak 44 years old male Izzat Moein Al-Kolak was killed alongside his two young children, according to both Al Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Their deaths are recorded below. fundraiser for his only surviving child, 10-year-old Aziz, notes Izzat was a lawyer.
- Adam Ezzat Al-Kolk 3 years old male Adam Ezzat Al-Kolk was the son of Izzat Moein Al-Kolak and the brother of Zaid Ezzat Al-Kolak, sources reported. All three died in the airstrikes killed
- Zaid Ezzat Al-Kolak, 8 years old male The deaths of Zaid Ezzat Al-Kolak's father and brother are recorded in the two entries above killed
- Du'aa Omar Al-Kolak (Um Aziz) 35 years old female Du'aa appears to be the mother of Zaid and Adam and the wife of Izzat, whose deaths are all recorded in the entries above. A fundraiser for their only surviving child, 10-year-old Aziz, notes she was a engineer
- Amal Jamil Al-Kolak 42 years old male The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights found that Amal Jamil Al-Kolak died alongside her three children; Ahmed, Taher and Hana. Her age differs in the reporting but according to B'Tselem she was 42. killed
- Ahmed Shukri Al-Kolak 15-17 years old male Ahmed Shukri Al-Kolak was the sibling of Hana and Taher, whose deaths are recorded in the two entries below, and the son of Amal Jamil Al-Kolak, recorded above (source: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights). Sources put him between 15 and 17 years of age killed
- Taher Shukri Al-Kolak 23 years old male Taher Shukri Al-Kolak was killed alongside his mother, Amal Jamil Al-Kolak, and two siblings (source: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights) killed
- Hana Shukri Al-Kolak 14 years old female See more detailed information on the victim's family tree in the entry above killed
- Muhammad Mu’in Al-Kolak 41 years old male Sources identified Muhammad Mu’in Al-Kolak's three daughters as Hala, Yara and Rula. All four died in the strikes. Their deaths are recorded in the entries below killed
- Hala Muhammad Al-Kolak 12 years old female Hala Muhammad Al-Kolak died alongside two siblings and her dad
- Yara Muhammad Al-Kolak 9 years old female Yara Muhammad Al-Kolak was killed alongside her two siblings and father, according to a number of sources
- Rula Muhammad Al-Kolak 6 years old female Rula Muhammad Al-Kolak was killed alongside her two siblings and father, according to a number of sources
- Khitam Saleem Al-Kolak 47 years old female daughter in law of Amin and Sa'diyah al-Kolak killed
Family members (15)
- Dr. Ayman Tawfiq Abu Al-Awf 50 years old male Dr Ayman Abu al-Awf was head of internal medicine at Al-Shifa Hospital. He was killed alongside his wife, two of his children and several extended family members. Their deaths are recorded in the entries below. killed
- Tala Ayman Abu Al-Awf 12 years old female Tala was the daughter of Dr. Ayman Tawfiq Abu Al-Awf and Reem Ahmed Abu Al-Awf, and the sister of Tawfiq Ayman Abu Al-Awf killed
- Tawfiq Ayman Abu Al-Awf 16 years old male Tawfiq Ayman Abu Al-Awf was the son of Dr. Ayman Tawfiq Abu Al-Awf and Reem Ahmed Abu Al-Awf, and brother to Tala killed
- Reem Ahmed Abu Al-Awf 39 years old female Reem Ahmed Abu Al-Awf was the mother to Tala and Tawfiq and the wife to Dr. Ayman Tawfiq Abu Al-Awf killed
- Majdeh Khalil Abu Al-Awf 70 years old Majdeh Khalil Abu Al-Awf was married to Dr. Tawfiq Ismail Abu Al-Awf, according to a Facebook post from Ismail.abualouf, who identified himself as a relative of the family killed
- Dr. Tawfiq Ismail Abu Al-Awf 75 years old male Dr. Tawfiq Ismail Abu Al-Awf was married to Majdeh Khalil Abu Al-Awf, according to a Facebook post from Ismail.abualouf, who identified himself as a relative of the family killed
- Sobhia/Subheya Ismail Abu Al-Awf 68-73 years old female Rawan Al-'Oaf and Shaimaa al-'Oaf's father's aunt killed
- Rajaa Subhi Abu Al-Awf 41 years old female Rajaa Subhi Abu Al-Awf was the mother of Dima, Yazan, Amir and Mira Rami Al-Franji. Ismail.abualouf identified himself as Rajaa's brother gave detailed information on the familial ties in a Facebook post. killed
- Dima Rami Al-Franji 16 years old female killed
- Yazan Rami Al-Franji 13 years old male killed
- Amir Rami Al-Franji 9 years old male killed
- Mira Rami Al-Franji 11 years old female killed
- Diana Ziad Al-Yazji 45 years old female Diana Ziad Al-Yazji was the mother of Shaima Al-Awf and Rawan Alaa Abu Al-Awf. Her husband, shopkeeper Alaa Abu al-Ouf, was interviewed from beside her hospital bed by the Washington Post after the strike. She succumbed to injuries shortly after. killed
- Shaima Al-Awf 21 years old female Shaima Al-Awf was killed alongside her sister, Rawan, and mother, Diana. She was dentistry student and engaged to be married, the New York Times found. killed
- Rawan Alaa Abu Al-Awf 19 years old female Sources estimated Rawan's age to be between 11 and 19. She was killed alongside her sister. Her mother succumbed to her wounds weeks after the airstrike. killed
Family members (5)
- Zain Riyad Ashkantna 2 years old male Zain Riyad Ashkantna was killed alongside his three siblings; Yahya, Dana and Lana and their mother, Abeer. killed
- Yahya Riyad Ashkantna 4 years old male Yahya Riyad Ashkantna was killed alongside his three siblings; Zain, Dana and Lana and their mother, Abeer. killed
- Dana Riad Ashkantna 9 years old female Dana Riyad Ashkantna was killed alongside his three siblings; Zain, Yahya and Lana and their mother, Abeer. killed
- Lana Ashkantna 5 years old female Lana was killed alongside three siblings and her mother, whose deaths are recorded in the entries above killed
- Abeer Nimr Ashkinna 29-30 years old female killed
- Dr Moein Ahmed Al-Aloul 66 years old male killed in the al-Ahlamm building, about 500 meters away from the al-'Oaf building with Luay Ahmad 'Odeh below killed
- Luay Muhammad Odeh 54 years old male killed
- Hazem Adel Al-Qam’ 48 years old male A tenant in the building of the al'Oaf family killed
- Mohammed Ahmed Musbah Ikki 39-40 years old male owner of a shop in the al-'Oaf building killed
Summary
Sources (153) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (180) [ collapse]
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Translates image caption: This little boy's name is Ahmed Muhammad Al-Yazji, his mother died more than two years ago while she was giving birth to him as a result of a medical error. The little boy was raised by his aunt from the Abu Al-Awf family. His aunt is now in critical condition in Al-Shifa Hospital after the bombing of the Abu Al-Awf family’s house and the martyrdom of many of its members on Al-Wahda Street at dawn today, but he lived (via @S88Ashi)
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1 of 4: Four Palestinian siblings, Dana Reyad Ishkuntna, 9, Lana Reyad Ishkuntna 6, Yehya ReyadIshkuntna 5 Zayen Reyad Ishkuntna, 2, killed in an Israeli forces' airstrike on Al-Wahda Street on 16th May 2021. Their mother, Zayen, was also killed and their brother Omar was injured (Image via @Betelgeuse100 / Twitter).
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2 of 4: Four Palestinian siblings, Dana Reyad Ishkuntna, 9, Lana Reyad Ishkuntna 6, Yehya ReyadIshkuntna 5 Zayen Reyad Ishkuntna, 2, killed in an Israeli forces' airstrike on Al-Wahda Street on 16th May 2021. Their mother, Zayen, was also killed and their brother Omar was injured (Image via @Betelgeuse100 / Twitter).
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3 of 4: Four Palestinian siblings, Dana Reyad Ishkuntna, 9, Lana Reyad Ishkuntna 6, Yehya ReyadIshkuntna 5 Zayen Reyad Ishkuntna, 2, killed in an Israeli forces' airstrike on Al-Wahda Street on 16th May 2021. Their mother, Zayen, was also killed and their brother Omar was injured (Image via @Betelgeuse100 / Twitter).
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4 of 4: Four Palestinian siblings, Dana Reyad Ishkuntna, 9, Lana Reyad Ishkuntna 6, Yehya ReyadIshkuntna 5 Zayen Reyad Ishkuntna, 2, killed in an Israeli forces' airstrike on Al-Wahda Street on 16th May 2021. Their mother, Zayen, was also killed and their brother Omar was injured (Image via @Betelgeuse100 / Twitter).
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"Aziz Al-Kolak is 10 years old. He and his family — civilians — were victims in an Israeli bombing on May 16 that left him stuck in rubble for six hours. He survived, but 23 members of his family — including both his parents and both his younger siblings — did not." - Image and caption via Zakat.org
Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]
Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Al Wehda (الوحدة ) street. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down this location to these exact coordinates: 31.520335, 34.448134.