Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

M21ISPT128

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

عزبة بيت حانون, Izbat Beit Hanoun, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.547333, 34.522478 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An Israeli airstrike targeted the home of the Abu Jared family in Beit Hanoun, injuring up to six civilians according to multiple sources.

Several sources reported that of the six civilians injured, one was in a serious condition. This seriously injured male victim was named by multiple sources as 69 year old Ali Khalil Abu Jarad.

A lower casualty toll was provided by @SafaPs, which reported that three people were injured, citing a medical source.

Several sources claimed that one civilian had died in the strike, some naming the killed victim as Mr. Jarad. However, two later reports stated that Mr. Jarad was receiving surgery in the hospital’s intensive care unit; whilst one source reported that he had subsequently safely left the intensive care unit.

It was reported that the strike hit directly above the heads of the occupants, and that they were given no prior warning of the attack.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to citizen's homes in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by @SafaPs)
  • Damage to Abu Jarad's home in Beit Hanoun from strikes on May 20th, 2021. (Image posted by Tawfeg Abujarad via Facebook)
  • Image of Haji Ali Khalil Abu Jarad, who was seriously injured in the strikes on Beit Hanoun on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by his cousin Aref Abo Jarad)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Izbat Beit Hanoun (عزبة بيت حانون), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.547333, 34.522478. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]