Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT1460

Incident date

December 4, 2023

Location

قرب مقبرة الفلوجة القصبي مخيم جباليا, Vicinity of Al-Fallujah cemetery, Al-Qassabi neighbourhood, Jabalia Refugee Camp, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.533611, 34.489167 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 53 civilians, including 17 women and 20 children, were killed and at least six others, including at least one child, were injured by alleged Israeli airstrikes on the family home of the Al-Sharafi family in the Al-Qassabi neighbourhood of Jabalia Refugee Camp the morning of December 4, 2023.

Ahmed Alshrafi (Al-Sharafi) posted an urgent appeal on Facebook calling for the Civil Defense forces in northern Gaza to help his family in the Al-Qassabi neighborhood behind the Al-Fallujah cemetery, noting that Israeli forces “bombed a house belonging to my family, the Al-Sharafi family, over the heads of its residents. There are many displaced people in it. There are dozens under the rubble. The house was bombed at six in the morning. The house of Uncle Majed Al-Sharafi. About 50 people, some of whom were martyred and some of whom are still alive. There is difficulty in removing the rubble.” Another family member, Hassan Al Sherafi (Al-Sharafi), also posted publicly for the Civil Defense to go to his uncle Majed Al-Sharafi’s house, adding that “There are 100 people in the house, including family members and displaced people. We can hear their voices under the rubble, but there is no Civil Defense or ambulance.”

@ShehabAgency and other local sources initially reported that “martyrs and wounded” resulted from an Israeli bombing of homes in the Al-Qasaib neighbourhood in the Jabalia camp. Facebook posts from Majd AwNi and MaJd Yasser, as well as other family members, provided either full or partial names of 53 people who had been killed and six people who had been injured in the attack on the Al-Sharafi family home in Jabalia, with both adding that at the time there were still people under the rubble and “this number is not final.” A post from Fares Alshrafi (Al-Sharafi) stated that this was the third massacre against the Al-Sharafi family by Israeli forces .

Al-Sharafi family

Among those killed from the Al-Sharafi family were 58-year-old Majed Hosni Al-Sharafi (Abu Ahmed); Majed’s daughter 21-year-old Iman Majed Al-Sharafi; Majed’s son 27-year-old Mahmoud Majed Al-Sharafi and his wife Baraa Ghaban; Majed’s son 30-year-old Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi, his wife Ala Ali Aql, and their daughter 9-month old Sara Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi and son Hamoud Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi; Majed’s son 25-year-old Moamen Majed Al-Sharafi; Majed’s grandson Adam Mohammed Majed Al-Sharafi; Majed’s daughter 33-year-old Nidaa Majed Al-Sharafi, her husband Deeb Abu Zaher and their children 12-year-old Talin Deeb Abu Zaher, Maryam Deeb Abu Zaher and 7-year-old Mohammed Deeb Abu Zaher. Among those injured in the same incident were Majed’s son Mohammed Majed Al-Sharafi (father of Adam Mohammed Majed Al-Sharafi) and Majed’s grandson, Ahmed’s son Mohammed Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi were both injured, as well as another relative named Mohammed Jihad Al-Sharafi.

Three other members of the Al-Sharafi family, Mohammed Majed Al-Sharafi’s children 2-year-old Sara Mohammed Al-Sharafi, 3-year-old Manal Mohammed Al-Sharafi, and Adam Mohammed Al-Sharafi (based on local reporting this is likely a different individual to Adam Mohammed Majed Al-Sharafi named above) were also among those killed, in addition to Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sharafi (also likely not the same as Mohammed Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi listed above given local references). A woman named Manal Al-Sharafi (not the same as Manal Mohammed Al-Sharafi listed above) was reported injured.

Hassan Al Sherafi (Al-Sharafi) posted a condolence message for his uncle Majed and his daughter Iman, along with an image of Majed, pictured wearing a blue shirt. Moayad Akarm posted a video slideshow of images of Majed and his sons Ahmed, Mahmoud, and Moamen, all smiling at the camera. A post from Salem Abed al Rahman included an image of Ahmed, a young man pictured smiling at the camera in a black zip-up shirt while Ali Mansour also memorialized Ahmed, writing “There is nothing more cruel and painful for a person than losing a brother and a friend at the same time..I am still, until this moment, unable to comprehend your loss.”

Abu Zaher family

Members of the Abu Zaher family, related through Majed’s son-in law (Deeb Abu Zaher), were also killed. 29-year-old Mahmoud Issa Abu Zaherhis wife (name unknown) and their daughter 4-month-old Selea Mahmoud Issa Abu Zaher were killed, along with “Selea’s grandmother” Mahmoud’s mother-in-law. Mahmoud’s brother 37-year-old Mohammed Issa Abu Zaherhis wife (who’s name was not found through open source research) and their children were also killed. Airwars has identified the likely names of Mohammed’s children among those listed in the Ministry of Health list of fatalities based on matches with familial names, and via Shireen Monitor, a Palestinian organisation documenting names of civilians killed, which listed the date of death of the children as December 4th. The Ministry of Health and Shireen’s list named three children: five-year-old Maya Mohammed Issa Abu Zaher, three-year-old Ayham Mohammed Issa Abu Zaher, and seven-year-old Adham Mohammed Issa Abu Zaher. However, given the lack of corresponding locational information in either the MoH list or Shireen’s list, which may mean that the children were killed in another incident, Airwars has counted a minimum number of child deaths as two and a maximum of three to account for ambiguity.

Mahmoud and Mohammed’s other brother 42-year-old Adham Issa Abu Zaher and his children five-year-old Issa Adham Issa Abu Zaher, Bilal Adham Issa Abu Zaher and three-year-old Hadeel Adham Issa Abu Zaher were reported killed in this incident. Mahmoud and his brothers’ other sibling 23-year-old Yasmine Issa Abu Zaher was also killed, as well as 35-year-old Hanaa Abu Zaher and 39-year-old Mona Abu Zaher. Hania Abu Zaher and Hadeel Abu Zaher (not the same as Hadeel Adham Issa Abu Zaher mentioned above) were both injured.

Said Elghoul wrote on Facebook that his sister, wife of Adham Issa Abu Zaher, was under the rubble with her husband and children but there was no further information as to whether she recovered and survived. She has therefore not been included in the casualty range, but Airwars will update this should further information come to light.

Aql family

Members of the Aql family, related through Majed’s daughter-in-law (Ala Ali Aql) were killed in this attack, including 52-year-old Ali Baraka Aql (Abu Hussam), his wife Hayat Aql (Zaher), their only son 29-year-old Hussam Ali Aql, Hussam’s wife Hiba Hassan Aql and their children Ali Hussam Ali Aql and Hayat Hussam Ali Aql. Two other children of Ali, daughters Lama Ali Aql (Al-Naema Abu Talila) and Darine Ali Aql, were also both killed.

Thaer Shaheen posted on Facebook memorializing his wife’s uncle, aunt, and their children, and the members of the Al-Sharafi family who were killed. Mohammed Aqel (Aql) and Ibrahim Aqel (Aql) both also posted farewell messages to the members of the Aql family killed, adding that the members of the family had been displaced to Jabalia where they were killed.

According to Sami Abu Salem, Ali Baraka Aql was a 52-year-old businessman who lost his eyesight years ago and had been sheltering with his daughter Ala Ali Aql’s family because his home had been damaged. At the time, on December 7th, those who were killed were still under the rubble three days after the strike. Em Hassan memorialized her dear uncle Ali and his family, writing that her uncle Ali lost his sight 10 years ago. Em Hassan described her aunt Hayat as “kind, beloved by everyone,” Ala as “the mother of a kind heart” adding that they had talked just two days ago, Darine as “my heart,” Lama as “the one who is more merciful than all of us.”

A post from Nibal Thawabteh wished condolences to his 80 year old aunt Azia for the death of her son Ali Barakat and his family.

Saliha family

From the Saliha family, 53-year-old Bassam Saliha was killed alongside his wife 46-year-old Raghda Saliha, their daughters 23-year-old Aya Bassam Saliha and 26-year-old Duaa Bassam Saliha and their son 28-year-old Ahmed Bassam Saliha. Duaa’s three children (names unknown) were also killed.

Additional casualties

A female named Talin Ibrahim Abed was killed, as well as Osama Tayeh and Karam Abdel Nabi. The Facebook post from Majd AwNi also said that “Egyptian [nationals]” were killed.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the attack to the Israeli military. Local sources referred to the attack as both a “shelling” and as a result of Israeli aircraft.

Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) lists, which include national ID numbers. Since October 26, 2023 the MoH has released six lists, along with an additional list of medical professionals, which was released on September 17, 2024. Airwars is matching individuals to the first list where their name appeared. In regard to this incident, names are matched to the fifth ‘Palestinian Ministry of Health List of Fatalities in Gaza’ list, which was released on June 30, 2024.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (31)

Majed Hosni Al-Sharafi ماجد حسني الشرافي
58 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 910860691
Iman Majed Al-Sharafi إيمان ماجد الشرافي
21 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 407995828
Moamen Majed Al-Sharafi مؤمن ماجد الشرافي
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 403757628
Mahmoud Majed Al-Sharafi محمود ماجد الشرافي
27 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 401983556
Baraa Ghaban براء غبن
Adult female killed
Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi أحمد ماجد الشرافي
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803720333
Ala Ali Aql علا علي عقل
Adult female killed
Sara Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi سارة أحمد ماجد الشرافي
.75 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 444497093
Hamoud Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi حمود أحمد ماجد الشرافي
Child male killed
Adam Mohammed Majed Al-Sharafi أدم محمد ماجد الشرافي
Child male killed
Nidaa Majed Al-Sharafi نداء ماجد الشرافي
33 years old female (Abu Zaher) killed Matched to MoH ID 802666982
Deeb Abu Zaher ديب أبو ظاهر
Adult male killed
Talin Deeb Abu Zaher تالين ديب أبو ظاهر
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430408831
Maryam Deeb Abu Zaher مريم ديب أبو ظاهر
Child female killed
Mohammed Deeb Abu Zaher محمد ديب أبو ظاهر
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 436956221
Mohammed Majed Al-Sharafi محمد ماجد الشرافي
Age unknown male injured
Mohammed Ahmed Majed Al-Sharafi محمد أحمد ماجد الشرافي
Child male injured
Mohammed Jihad Al-Sharafi محمد جهاد الشرافي
Age unknown male injured
Manal Al-Sharafi منال الشرافي
Age unknown female injured
Sara Mohammed Al-Sharafi سارة محمد الشرافي
2 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445094121
Manal Mohammed Al-Sharafi منال محمد الشرافي
3 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 443123906
Adam Mohammad Majed Al-Sharafi أدم محمد ماجد الشرافي
male killed
Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sharafi محمد أحمد الشرافي
Age unknown male killed
Ali Baraka Aql علي بركة عقل
52 years old male killed
Hayat Aql حياة عقل
Adult female killed
Hussam Ali Aql حسام علي عقل
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400025805
Hiba Hassan Aql هبة حسن عقل
Adult female killed
Ali Hussam Ali Aql علي حسام علي عقل
Child male killed
Hayat Hussam Ali Aql حياة حسام علي عقل
Child female killed
Lama Ali Aql لما علي عقل
Adult female killed
Darine Ali Aql دارين علي عقل
Adult female killed

Family members (17)

Mahmoud Issa Abu Zaher محمود عيسى أبو ظاهر
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400031613
Mahmoud’s wife زوجة محمود أبو ظاهر
Adult female killed
Selea Mahmoud Issa Abu Zaher سيليا محمود أبو ظاهر
.33 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 444771182
Mahmoud's mother-in-law حمات محمود
Adult female killed
Mohammed Issa Abu Zaher محمد عيسى أبو ظاهر
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800620775
Child of Mohammed Issa Abu Zaher
Child killed
Child of Mohammed Issa Abu Zaher
Child killed
Mohammad's wife زوجة محمد
Adult female killed
Adham Issa Abu Zaher أدهم عيسى أبو ظاهر
42 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 908976335
Issa Adham Issa Abu Zaher عيسى ادهم عيسى أبو ظاهر
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440646974
Bilal Adham Issa Abu Zaher بلال أدهم عيسى أبو ظاهر
Child male killed
Hadeel Adham Issa Abu Zaher هديل أدهم عيسى أبو ظاهر
3 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 441308707
Yasmine Issa Abu Zaher ياسمين عيسى أبو ظاهر
23 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 406040790
Hanaa Abu Zaher هناء أبو ظاهر
35 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802000711
Mona Abu Zaher منى أبو ظاهر
39 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 800306250
Hania Abu Zaher هنية أبو ظاهر
Age unknown female injured
Hadeel Abu Zaher هديل أبو ظاهر
Age unknown female injured

Family members (8)

Bassam Salha بسام صالحة
53 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 929551075
Raghda Saliha رغدة صالحة
46 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 900487109
Aya Bassam Saliha أية بسام صالحة
23 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 406109413
Ahmed Bassam Saliha أحمد بسام صالحة
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400896031
Duaa Bassam Saliha دعاء بسام صالحة
26 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 402898332
Child of Doaa طفل دعاء
Child killed
Child of Doaa طفل دعاء
Child killed
Child of Doaa طفل دعاء
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Talin Ibrahim Abed تالين إبراهيم عابد
Age unknown female killed
Osama Tayeh اسامه تايه
Age unknown male killed
Karam Abdel Nabi كرم عبد النبي
Age unknown male killed

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al-Fallujah cemetery (مقبرة الفلوجة) in the Al-Qassabi neighbourhood (القصبي) of Jabalia Refugee Camp (مخيم جباليا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.533611, 34.489167. 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 and/or Artillery
  • Infrastructure
    IDP or Refugee Camp, Residential
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    53 – 56
  • (20–25 children17–18 women12–15 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (54) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @JrtvMedia
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Alordonalyoom
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Radaar__news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Masdar A Ikhbaria
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Radar news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Ordon Al youm
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hassan Al Sherafi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Salem Abed al rahman
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sami Abu Salem
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nibal Thawabteh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nibal Thawabteh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nibal Thawabteh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nibal Thawabteh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ali Mansour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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
  • Infrastructure
    IDP or Refugee Camp, Residential
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    53 – 56
  • (20–25 children17–18 women12–15 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (54) [ collapse]