Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

M21ISPT097

Incident date

May 17, 2021

Location

قرب معهد حمودة بيت لاهيا, Vicinity of Hamouda Institute, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

Two young men were killed and two others were injured by an IDF UAV at 5:30 pm near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya. Both young men killed were identified by official sources as being members of militant groups while the two others injured were identified as civilians.

Various local sources reported on the death of Ahmed Ziyad Sabah (29) and  Muhammad Nazeer Abu Oun (18), who were allegedly killed by an Israeli airstrike targeting a group of people near the Hamouda roundabout opposite of the Hammouda medical clinic. Furthermore, PCHR Gaza released a report, asserting that two other citizens were injured, one of whom was seriously injured.

@palestino_free posted on twitter: ” Muhammad Nazir Abu Aoun was sitting at the door of his house in the safety of God, when a shrapnel hit him in his chest, so he entered the house and climbed the stairs and went to his mother to see her for the last time (Mother, I cannot breathe);”.

A post by Ahmad Abu Sedo on Facebook identified Ahmed Ziyad Sabah as being a scout leader and included a photo of him with a child in a scout uniform.

Contrasting to that statement, a different local source stated that the civilians were killed, as a result of the targeted attack of a civilian car.

The Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades Telegram channel identified Muhammas Nazeer abu Oun as a member of the Hamas’ military wing and Ahmed Ziyad Sabah was identified by the Palestine Islamic Jihad’s military wing as a member of the Artillery Corps Mujahideen in the North Gaza Brigades.

All of the sources pointed to Israel as being responsible for the strike.

The incident occured at approximately 5:30 pm local time.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Hamouda Institute ( معهد حمودة), within the city of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Hamouda Institute are: 31.545625, 34.512219.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, claimed to be a member of the Artillery Corps Mujahideen in the North Gaza Brigades, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by @mds123111)
  • Airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Amad News)
  • Rescue crews search for victims of airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Amad News)
  • Rescue crews search for victims of airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Amad News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the body of Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, claimed to be a member of the Artillery Corps Mujahideen in the North Gaza Brigades, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Mohammad Sabbah, Ahmed's cousin)
  • Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, identified as being a scout leader, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Ahmad Abu Sedo)
  • Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, identified as being a scout leader, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Ahmad Abu Sedo)
  • Muhammas Nazzer Abu Oun (18), claimed to be part of Hamas' military wing, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Goldsmith Mohamed Abu Oun via Facebook)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (39) [ collapse]