Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0858

Incident date

November 3, 2023

Location

مقبرة بيت لاهيا شمالي القطاع, Beit Lahia cemetery, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Friday, November 3, 2023, between seven and 10 people were killed in an alleged Israeli bombardment that hit the Beit Lahia cemetery during a funeral in the Northern Gaza Strip.

Ihab Salah Ayoub was killed alongside his brothers Hassan Salah Ayoub and Mohamed Salah Ayoub.

Multiple sources including @AJA_Palestine reported that the death toll of the bombing of the Beit Lahia cemetery had risen to seven while @AlarabyTV stated that the bodies of 10 of those killed had been transferred to hospitals in North Gaza.

Ibrahim Ayoub Ayoub, a cousin of the deceased, said that with their loss of the men had “broken [the family’s] hearts.” He posted photographs of the deceased, showing Mohamed sporting a red shirt, and Hassan with his arm around a young boy. Ahmed Azdid, a friend, posted a picture of Ihab cradling an infant, remembering him as his “lifelong companion.” Facebook user Fatma Ashraf clarified that Ihab “helps his father in his grandfather’s profession ‘digging graves’ as their family owns the Martyrs’ Cemetery in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip.”

@GazaMartyrs posted about Ihab, remembering him as someone who “was known for his struggle since childhood. He constantly sought to assist his family through various professions, eventually working alongside his father in the grave digging profession.”

All those killed were reported to be “grave workers.” Twitter/X user @MayssounAzzam, quoting another, reiterated that though the men were killed, they were “alive in our hearts.” According to Facebook user Shady Mohamed Elghazawy, the strike occurred during a funeral.

@MayssounAzzam also included a photo showing the destruction of the cemetery in the wake of the strike, as did AnaJordan News. In both photographs, several graves appear highly damaged, with some destroyed.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all pointed to Israeli forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ihab Salah Ayoub إيهاب صلاح أيوب
Adult male killed
Hassan Salah Ayoub حسن صلاح أيوب
Adult male killed
Mohamed Salah Ayoub محمد صلاح أيوب
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (35) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AJA_Egypt
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    Source: @AJA_Palestine
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    Source: @MayssounAzzam
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    Source: الأردن اليوم
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    Source: Wakalt Al Anbaa Al Lyibia
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    Source: Mjmuaat Al Quba Al Alamya
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Ayoub ayoub
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    Source: Ibrahim Ayoub ayoub
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    Source: Ibrahim Ayoub ayoub
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    Source: Wassim Ayoub
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Aziz
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    Source: ‎Abed bin Loai
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    Source: ‎Abed bin Loai
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    Source: ‎Abed bin Loai
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    Source: Ahmed Rafiq Musallam
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    Source: Ahmed Rafiq Musallam
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
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    Source: Amal Hadad
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    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amal Hadad
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    Source: Fatma Ashraf
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    Source: Anajordan news
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    Source: @GazaMartyrs
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    Source: @GazaMartyrs
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @romyo25jan
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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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (3 men)
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]