Conflict

Israel and Gaza

Incident Code

ISPT120524i

Location

مخيم جباليا, Jabalia Refugee Camp, North Gaza, Palestinian territories

Geolocation

31.538711, 34.495107
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: April 14, 2025

On Sunday May 12th 2024, Dr Safia Hamdan was reportedly killed by an alleged Israeli drone strike at the entrance to Azbet Malin in Jabalia, northern Gaza.

A colleague of Dr Safia’s, Eid Sabah, posted to Facebook mourning the loss of Dr Safia Hamdan and reporting that they were killed by a “Zanana” missile. A Zanana missile is Arabic word used in Palestine to refer to the drones commonly used by the Israeli Military. The word means ‘buzzing sound’ and is used to refer to the noise the drones make and the drones themselves.

While neither post to Facebook reporting the death of Dr Safia Hamdan directly attributes responsibility for the attack to Israel, the term Zanana is generally applicable to mean an Israeli drone and can therefore be taken as indication of who the belligerent was reported to be by local sources in this instance. Another Facebook post from Mohamed Awad also attributed the death of Dr Safia Hamdan to a Zanana missile. Therefore, the strike status of this incident has been graded as “fair”.

Victims

Individuals

Safia Hamdan صفية حمدان
Adult killed

Key Information

Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the Jabalia Refugee Camp (مخيم جباليا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.538711, 34.495107. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Military Statements

Israeli Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Israeli Military
Israeli Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Sources (2)