Incident Code

M21ISPT053

Location

الشجاعي, Al Shujaiya, Gaza, Palestinian territories

Geolocation

31.494122, 34.475567
Accuracy: Neighbourhood/area

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: ISPT053)

At least two men were killed in Al-Shujaiya neighbourhood during alleged Israeli airstrikes in the area at around dawn on May 14th, 2021, multiple sources reported. They were identified as Husam Baker al-Hayya and Saqer Abdulmajid al-Hayya.

Both Husam Baker al-Hayya and Saqer Abdulmajid al-Hayya’s deaths were announced on Hamas’ Telegram channel, which identified them as “Al-Qassami Mujahid” meaning they were possibly fighters belonging to the group’s military wing. Undated photos shared on social media showed the two men in military fatigues with guns. Three other sources meanwhile identified Saqer as a Sheikh, with a Facebook post from My World describing him as a “distinguished preacher in the Waqf of Gaza City” who had presented his master’s thesis at the Islamic University three days earlier.

The two men were killed after missiles struck a group of people, according to both Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Multiple sources reported heavy strikes in the area, with damage sustained to the local cemetery, alongside civilian homes. The consensus among the sources was that Israel was responsible for the strikes.

This assessment was discounted as a civilian harm incident after a review of sources found that those harmed in the event were militants.

Victims

Invidivuals

Age unknown male A single source also identified an additional death from strikes in the area; a man named Mohammed Sa'eed Abu Al Ataa. It was however not clear if he died in this specific incident and no additional information was given killed

Key Information

Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
No
Civilian Harm Status
Discounted
Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Shujaiya (الشجاعي) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Shujaiya are: 31.494122, 34.475567.

Reports of the incident mention the Al Shujaiya (الشجاعي) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة).

Imagery: Google Earth

Military Statements

Israeli Military Assessment
Known belligerent
Israeli Military
Israeli Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Israeli Military Strike Report
20:49 - The Magellan unit and aircraft attacked and thwarted a squad of anti-tank operatives and two Hamas anti-tank launchers in Sajaiya, while closing a quick circle of Gaza Division intelligence and fire capabilities.

Media From Sources (21)