Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

M21ISPT103

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

الزيتون, Al Zeitoun, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.485479, 34.444885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One young man was killed, and at least 10 other people were injured in an alleged Israeli strike on the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City on May 18th 2021, according to local reports. Sources differ as to whether the strike was the result of shelling or an airstrike.

The Palestinian media outlet, Shehab, said Mahmoud Ramadan Ishtawi, 18, was killed in the strike, which targeted a group of people. Al Quds News said, of the 10 people injured, one was in a critical condition.

Alkoufiya said the strike took place outside the Al-Abrar Mosque. Al Mezan said the strike took place on land belonging to the victim’s family on 10th street, while the Palestinian Information Center said the strike took place close to a local car dealership.

Aqsa TV reported Ishtawi and several of those injured were transported to Al-Shifa Hospital.

The strike took place at 17:00 according to Al Mezan. The Israeli Defense Forces released a statement that “20:35 – An aircraft attacked and thwarted two Hamas terrorist operatives while launching rockets at the State of Israel in Zeitoun in the southern city of Gaza.” However, none of the sources referred to Mahmoud as a militant.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Ramadan Ishtawi محمود رمضان اشتيوي
18 years old male killed

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a car market, allegedly within the Al Zeitoun (الزيتون) neighbourhood of Gaza city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Zeitoun are: 31.485479, 34.444885.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Zeitoun (الزيتون) neighbourhood of Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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.
  • Known belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mahmoud Shteiwi funeral on May 19, 2021 (APA Images).
  • via @Betelgeuse100
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Farewell pictures of the martyr Mahmoud Ramadan Ishtewi, after the Israeli occupation’s bombing of civilian lands in the Gaza Strip, where a farmer was working on his land." Pictures by Arafa Ashour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shteiwi, who killed after Israeli air strike in mourn during his funeral in Gaza city on May 19, 2021." Image: @amra_ashraf
  • "Relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shteiwi, who killed after Israeli air strike in mourn during his funeral in Gaza city on May 19, 2021." Image: @amra_ashraf

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military

20:35 - An aircraft attacked and thwarted two Hamas terrorist operatives while launching rockets at the State of Israel in Zeitoun in the southern city of Gaza.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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.
  • Known belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (42) [ collapse]