Conflict

Israel and Gaza 2021

Incident Code

M21ISPT104

Location

خزاعه, خان يونس, غزة, Khuza'a, Khan Yunis, Gaza, Khan Younis, Palestinian territories

Geolocation

31.30620200, 34.36150100
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: ISPT104)

One man, a civilian, was killed and as many as two other civilians were injured in an alleged Israeli strike on the town of Khuza’a, southern Gaza on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

At 17:00 on May 24th, a medical source in Khan Younis announced the death of Osama Ashraf Abu Reda, according to Al Mezan. The 23-year-old resident of the town of Khuza, located east of Khan Younis, died from wounds he sustained at approximately 14:35 on Tuesday the 18th of May 2021, according to the source. Al Mezan reported that Abu Reda sustained serious injuries during an attack by an Israeli aircraft that targeted agricultural land near his home.

On May 24 th 2021, the Facebook site of The Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) Eastern Province, created a post acknowledging Abu Reda’s death and his membership of the organization’s youth wing.

Amad Media said that a child had been injured in the strike.

Local journalist, Leila. R. Farra, said: “A young Palestinian man was hit by a reconnaissance rocket on his camp next to the house of Osama Abu Rida (Awakel), who works in the municipality of Khaza’a.”

Khabar 24 reported that smoke and incendiary artillery shells fired at the town resulted in fires. The Palestine Civil Defense posted images it claimed showed crews tackling fires at a location they called Abu Rida Street.

Local journalist, Diaa Mahmoud, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights both said a drone was used in the attack. The consensus among sources was the Israel was responsible for the strikes.

Victims

Individuals

Osama Ashraf Abu Rida أسامة أشرف أبو ريدة
23 years old male killed

Key Information

Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike), Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Man
Civilians reported injured
1–2
1 Child, 1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khuza’a (خزاعه), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.30620200, 34.36150100. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

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

Media From Sources (7)