Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0828

Incident date

November 2, 2023

Location

بالقرب من مسجد الامام الشافعي بالزيتون, Vicinity of Al Shafi’i Mosque, Al Zeitoun neighbourhood, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.501346, 34.457688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On November 2nd 2023, the Shehab News Agency reported on the deaths of several people and “a number of missing persons” under the rubble of the Al-Dahshan family home; at least two people were reported injured. The family home, located in the Al Shafi’i Mosque Area in the Al Zeitoun neighbourhood was allegedly hit by “several missiles” launched from Israeli warplanes; the strikes were reported to have occurred in the morning.

Multiple sources reported that six civilians were killed in the strike on the family home and a number remained missing under the rubble.

Following the incident, Ashraf al-Dashan shared a post to Facebook: “My aunt, Umm Khalil, her husband, and her children have passed away, and Abu Fouad, his wife, and some of their children, and the sons of Sheikh Ahmed, and some of Abu Majid’s sons [have died.] To God we belong and to Him we shall return.” From this post, at least twelve people are identified as having been killed in the incident. However, the total number of those killed may be more than double that, as another source, Khamis Aldahshan, reported “news of the rise of thirty martyrs from the house of [his] cousin Fouad Khalil al-Dashan and his children and grandchildren.”

An image shared by Facebook user Asma EL Dhshan shows 15 body bags, though the identities of victims was not otherwise reported on.

Friends and family mourned the loss of their loved ones online. Dr. Tawfeeq N Mahani recalled his “beloved, friend, and companion Abu Fouad al-Dahshan, his wife, and a group of his honourable family” and stated that they were now “martyrs to heaven.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Umm Khalil ام خليل
Adult female killed
Husband of Umm Khalil زوج أم خليل

Family members (2)

Abu Fouad ابو فؤاد
Adult male killed
Wife of Abu Fouad زوجة أبو فؤاد
Adult female killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al Shafi’i Mosque (مسجد الامام الشافعي) in the Al Zeitoun neighbourhood (الزيتون), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.501346, 34.457688. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 30
  • (2 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.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Asma EL Dhshan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Tawfeeq N Mahani
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khamis Aldahshan

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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 30
  • (2 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.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]