Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT240724b

Incident date

July 24, 2024

Location

مدرسة عيلبون في بلدة القرارة, Eilabun school in Al Qarara town, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On July 24th, 2024, 45-year-old Osama Marzi Abu Lahia and 54-year-old Adel Omar Tafesh were killed and a number of others wounded in an alleged Israeli sniper attack inside the Eilabun School, located in the town of Al-Qarara, east of Khan Yunis, in the Gaza Strip. The school had been serving as a shelter for internally displaced people seeking refuge from the ongoing conflict.

A video posted on Facebook by Umm Abdullah shows two young men grieving over the body of 54-year-old Adel Omar Tafesh. An outpouring of sorrow and condolences was post on social media, with loved ones sharing his portrait in memoriam. Among them was his brother, Ahmad Tafesh, who shared a touching tribute, highlighting his brother’s displacement: “With great pride and honour, and with hearts filled with pain, I mourn my brother, who was martyred today… at the age of 54 after a long journey of displacement in the south, after he and his family were besieged in Eilabun School in Al-Qarara. To the gardens of eternity with the prophets, the righteous, and the martyrs. What an excellent martyr: Adel Omar Tafesh ‘Abu Omar.'”

Osama Marzi Abu Lahia’s memory was also honoured on social media by his loved ones.

A Facebook user named السكوت ليس علامة الرضا (Silence is not a sign of satisfaction) updated his profile picture to one of Osama Marzi Abu Lahia. This was followed by a post and heartbreaking memorial comments from several members of the Lahia family.

A number of news outlets, including Al Jazeera – Palestine, reported on the incident, attributing the attack to the Israeli military. Other sources, such as Awda Satellite Channel, mentioned civilians being wounded, but no further details or updates have been provided as of yet.

Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released September 15, 2024.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Osama Marzi Abu Lahia أسامة مرضي أبو لحية
45 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800769986
Adel Omar Tafesh عادل عمر طافش
54 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 927256750

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Pulse of the decision 'We continue with you'
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: nabd alqarara
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Silence is not a sign of satisfaction
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Lahia family in the homeland and diaspora
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Al-Baraa
  • 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]