Airwars assessment
On Friday, June 21st 2024, civilians were reportedly killed as a result of alleged Israeli artillery and/or drone strikes in the Al Zaytoun neighbourhood in Gaza City. Reports also claimed that others were wounded.
Several sources on Twitter and Facebook, including the journalist Ahmed Qadih, Ayman Akram, Moudar Mustafa and @nabaanewsroom, reported that the incident occurred when people returned to inspect their houses and property after the Israeli military had withdrawn from the area. Reports consistently described the civilians as being “targeted” or stated that bombs were dropped “as they returned.”
The exact number of victims was not specified in any of the sources; however, all sources used the plural form when referring to those killed and wounded, indicating multiple casualties. In line with Airwars’ methodology, the casualty range has therefore been assessed as at least two civilian deaths and injuries. No names of victims were mentioned but @nabaanewsroom referred in its Twitter post to “displaced persons.”
Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the attack to the Israeli military. Specific references to “Israeli Quadcopter drones” were made by @SafaPs & Ahmed Qadih, while other sources mentioned artillery shelling and gunfire from helicopters.
Regarding the specific area of the incident, some sources reported that it occurred southeast of the Al Zaytoun neighbourhood, while others mentioned it happened east of the Al Zaytoun neighbourhood.
The local time of the incident is unknown.