Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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Incident Code

M21ISPT120

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Location

السطر, Al Sitar, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.364694, 34.321869 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 20th, 2021, one woman was killed and up to ten civilians, including up to four children and two women, were injured as a result of an airstrike on the al-Sitar al-Gharbi neighborhood in Khan Yunis.

Israeli warplanes fired a missile at 5:10am at the al-Khawaldah family home. The Palestintian Center for Human Rights reported that seven were injured in the al-Kawaldah family home, including two women and two children in the al-Kawaldah family. One of the injured had to have his leg amputated. The strike also damaged the home of the neighboring al-Khozondar family, killing 32 year old Huda Salah Rabi’a al-Khozondar and injuring her husand, Na’elah Rabi’a al-Khuzondar, and her two year old daughter, Malak al-Khozondar.

Multiple sources confirmed the death of Huda, but differed on the injury count, with some reporting four and others reporting up to ten. The Herald reported “Weam Fares, a spokesman for a nearby hospital, confirmed her death and said at least 10 people were wounded in strikes overnight.”

The injured were taken to Nasser Governmental Hospital, according to Safa News.

Between two to four children were reported injured as a result of the strikes, with the Palestinian Center for Human Rights reporting three children were injured, and @KightRises_ on Twitter reporting four children were injured.

Al Araby News said that the strikes occurred without warning and attributed them to Israeli warplanes.

The incident occured at approximately 5:10 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Huda Salah Rabi’a al-Khozondar هدى صلاح ربيع الخزندار
36 years old female killed
Na’elah Rabi’a al-Khozondar نائلة ربيع الخزندار
Adult male injured
Malak al-Khozondar ملك الخزندار
2 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (57) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (32) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man injured in strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @MuathHumaid)
  • A casualty from strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @MuathHumaid)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby injured in strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @MuathHumaid)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby injured in strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @MuathHumaid)
  • A baby being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @pl24online)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child injured in strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @pl24online)
  • https://www.alwatanvoice.com/arabic/news/2021/05/20/1414990.html
  • A baby being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Al Watan)
  • A baby being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Al Watan)
  • Destruction to homes caused by strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Al Watan News)
  • Destruction to homes caused by strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Al Watan News)
  • Destruction to homes caused by strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Al Watan News)
  • Destruction to homes caused by strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • A martyr and injuries, including children, as the occupation targeted a house for the Khawaldeh family in the western line in Khan Yunis
  • Funeral for Huda Al-Khaznadar, killed in strikes on her home in Khan Younis on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Ismail Farid via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Huda Al-Khaznadar, killed in strikes on her home in Khan Younis on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Ismail Farid via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Huda Al-Khaznadar, killed in strikes on her home in Khan Younis on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hamza Zwba via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Huda Al-Khaznadar, killed in strikes on her home in Khan Younis on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hamza Zwba via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Huda Al-Khaznadar, killed in strikes on her home in Khan Younis on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hamza Zwba via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Huda Al-Khaznadar, killed in strikes on her home in Khan Younis on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Hamza Zwba via Facebook)
  • #Watch the story of the assassination of the martyr Hoda Al-Khaznadar in Khan Yunis by the Israeli occupation in cold blood

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man injured in strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @AqsaTVChannel)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @LebUpdate)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @LebUpdate)
  • A baby being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @LebUpdate)
  • Destruction to homes caused by strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @LebUpdate)
  • A man being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @KnightRises_)
  • A baby being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @KnightRises_)
  • A baby being treated for its wounds sustained during strikes on the Al-Satar Al-Gharbi area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @KnightRises_)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Sitar (السطر) area, for which the generic coordinates are: 31.364694, 34.321869. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Sitar (السطر) area.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (57) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS096

Incident date

January 20, 2018

Location

تمادا, Tarnada villlage, Afrin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.493056, 36.879444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported “the injury of 11 people, including two children, between the Al Ashrafieh neighbourhood and Tarnada village” in an alleged Turkish bombing.

No further details or known sources are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tarnada villlage, Afrin (تمادا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.493056, 36.879444. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0297

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

مدرسة المغازي الاعدادية للبنين, Al Maghazi Preparatory School for Boys, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.420102, 34.388679 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During the afternoon of Tuesday, 17th of October, 2023, at least ten civilians were killed and dozens were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on an UNRWA school located in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip where 4,000 people were taking refuge. However, the death toll may be significantly higher as Twitter/X user @alforgannet wrote that “a large number of civilians, most of them children and women, were martyred and injured.”

The school was run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. Al-Ahram news quoted UNRWA as saying, “At least six people were killed this afternoon as a result of the bombing of an UNRWA school in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central region of Gaza.” The source also referenced the statement made by the organization’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, who corroborated that dozens, including UNRWA employees, were injured and that “the school had suffered severe structural damage.” The statement suggested that the casualty numbers were likely to be higher. Urgent From The Rest reported about 10 civilians killed and dozens wounded.

WAFA News Agency and Facebook user “Going Back to Palestine” shared the images showing the aftermath of the deadly strike: the walls of the school with large holes in them, lots of broken furniture and rubble. A graphic video posted by Electronic Al-Nadaa Portal on Facebook showed bodies being carried out of the school.

The sources differed about the nature of the strike. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior and National Security and some local sources said that the school was hit with artillery while UNRWA reported an airstrike.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Radio

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: WAFA News Agency

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    Source: WAFA News Agency

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    Source: WAFA News Agency

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    Source: WAFA News Agency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: WAFA News Agency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hany Abu Zeid

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Going Back to Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Going Back to Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Going Back to Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Going Back to Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Going Back to Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Going Back to Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Going Back to Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Maghazi Preparatory School for Boys (مدرسة المغازي الاعدادية للبنين) to the east of Deir al Balah (دير البلح). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.420102, 34.388679.    

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  • Imagery:
    Hany Abu Zeid

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 24
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3309

Incident date

March 19, 2018

Location

كفرومة, Kafarouma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6347489, 36.6258001 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four to seven civilians including children were injured in an alleged Russian forces airstrike on Kafrouma Village in Southern Idlib, March 19th, 2018.

Smart News Agency, Micro Syria and Step News Agency blamed Russian forces warplanes for the strike and civilian harm.

Smart News agency reported that “Warplanes carried out two raids with high-explosive rockets on the outskirts of the village (Kafrouma). Consequently, three children and a young man were injured and taken to a nearby hospital”.

Microsyria also put the wounded toll at four, however, the Step News Agency said that seven civilians were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT047

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

قرب مسجد القسام ، بيت لاهيا, Vicinity of Al Qassam mosque, Beit Lahiya, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.541959, 34.499688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three Israeli missiles hit and completely destroyed a four story house belonging to the Al-Aloul family on Beit Lahia Project Street in the vicinity of the Al-Qassam Mosque. The attack killed four members of the same family and injured dozens more, according to several sources.

Those killed were all of the Amn family and were pulled from the rubble of the collapsed building. They were named by multiple sources as 51 year old Muhammad Ibrahim Amen, and his three daughters; 22 year old Warda Amn, Hadeel Amn, and Walaa Amn.

B’Tselem collected testimony from Muna Aman, 47, mother of six, who lost her husband and three of her daughters in the incident: “On 13 May 2021, at around 11:00 P.M., I woke up suddenly in complete darkness. There was debris, dust and smoke all around me. I couldn’t see anything. I had terrible pain all over my body, and it felt like things were piercing it. I also felt burns on my body and face. The pain was so strong, I screamed. Suddenly, one of my daughters came, I don’t know which one, and pulled me out. Just then, I heard another missile and lost sight of her. The place filled with smoke and dust. Then the paramedics came. I asked them to look for my daughters. They told me they’d take care of me first and then look for them. I lost consciousness and woke up the next morning at the ICU in a-Shifaa Hospital in Gaza City. I asked my relatives about my children, and they said they were alright. A few days later, the doctors moved me to the orthopedic department, where I was told my husband Muhammad had been killed. I went into shock and cried. A few minutes later, I was told that three of my daughters had also been killed – Hadil, Warda and Walaa. I went into shock. They were my hope, my whole life, especially Hadil, who was the most spoiled and was very attached to me. It was a shock for me. I never thought anything like that would happen to me. I don’t know how to go on living. After 14 days at a-Shifaa Hospital, I was transferred to the burn unit at al-’Awda Hospital because I had burns on my face and hands and shrapnel all over my body. I have burns on my head and a fractured left leg. They put a metal plate in. I’m still suffering. I’m in a great deal of pain, and I’m receiving treatment that’s expected to take months.”

Yusef Aman, 15, who lost his father and three of his sisters in the incident, also provided testimony: “On Thursday, 13 May 2021, I woke up in the middle of the night and found myself in the passageway between our building and the building next door, which belongs to the al-’Alul family. There was rubble underneath me and on top of me and a blanket over my head. I was very scared and started shouting, “Help! Help! Get me out!” No one answered me. Suddenly I heard an explosion in our apartment, and I also heard people screaming and crying and calling for the neighbors and paramedics to help. It terrified me, because I heard the screaming of people who were trapped under the rubble with no one to save them or help them get out. I was scared I’d stay under the rubble and no one would come help me, that I’d die under the rubble before the paramedics got to me. But a few minutes later, civilian rescue teams came, and someone took the debris off me. I heard him say, “Martyr, martyr.” He meant me, but then he discovered I was alive. I leaned on him and we started walking. I could barely walk, because I was injured all over my body. I felt like my left leg was broken. I couldn’t step on it. Then the civilian rescue man had to let me go, and I carried on by myself. I crawled on the ground. I saw a little girl, our neighbor from the Abu Jarad family. She was lying on the ground.  She grabbed onto my right leg, and the two of us crawled together to get away from the rubble that filled the street. I had a hard time crawling on the piles of debris. They injured me. At some point, paramedics showed up and took me to an ambulance. I was taken to the Kamal ‘Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, and from there transferred to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalya Refugee Camp, where I had surgery on my leg. They took shrapnel out of various parts of my body and put a metal plate in my lower left leg. Then, some relatives came to the hospital. They told me my father had been killed and so had three of my sisters. I went into shock. I never imagined I’d hear such a thing. This loss has caused me terrible pain.”

Most sources put Hadeel’s age at 18, however one source reported that she was 19 years old and another that she was 21 years old. Most sources reported Walaa’s age as 24, however two sources claimed she was 25. Multiple sources also reported that Walaa was eight months pregnant at the time.

A further 27 civilians were reported injured by multiple sources, including six women and ten children. Two sources also reported that three houses collapsed that were sheltering 91 civilians, including 24 women and 41 children.

Two sources reported that the incident occurred at approximately 11.50pm.

The incident occured at approximately 11:50 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Muhammad Ibrahim Amn محمد أمن
51 years old male Father killed
Warda Amn وردة أمن
22 years old female Daughter of Muhammad Ibrahim Amn killed
Hadeel Amn هديل أمن
18 years old female Daughter of Muhammad Ibrahim Amn killed
Walaa Amn ولاء أمن
24 years old female pregnant Daughter of Muhammad Ibrahim Amn killed
Muna Aman
47 years old female Wife of Muhammad injured
Yusef Aman
15 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Girl from the from the Abu Jarad family
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The collapse of a four story building in Beit Lahia Project hit by Israeli missiles on May 13th 2021 (image via @xoql8bkY9YHz3rn )
  • Muhammad Ibrahim Amen, and his three daughters; Warda Amn,  Hadeel Amn, and Walaa Amn, who were killed when Israeli missiles destroyed a four story building in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via Abo Majed)
  • Walaa Amn who was killed when Israeli missiles destroyed a four story building in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021. (image via Ali Abbas)
  • Warda Amn who was killed when Israeli missiles destroyed a four story building in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021. (image via Ali Abbas)
  • Hadeel Amn who was killed when Israeli missiles destroyed a four story building in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021. (image via Ali Abbas)
  • Muhammad Ibrahim Amn who was killed when Israeli missiles destroyed a four story building in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021. (image via Ali Abbas)
  • Rubble and car remains on the M5 in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes in Saraqib, Idlib, on November 17th, 2019 (via @Shaamnews)
    Hadeel Amn who was killed when Israeli missiles destroyed a four story building in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021. (image via We Are Not Numbers)
  • Muna Aman, injured in strikes that killed her husband and three of her daughters in Beit Lahia on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by B'Tselem)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Qassam (القسام) mosque, within the town of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.541959, 34.499688. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    27
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0302

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

محيط المستشفى الكويتي, Vicinity of Kuwaiti Hospital, Rafah Governorate, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.289743, 34.251428 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At dawn on Tuesday, October 17th 2023, between 17 and 26 civilians were reported killed, including at least seven women and five children, one of whom was an infant. Dozens of others, including children, were also reported wounded in the alleged Israeli airstrike on the home of the Abu Lebda family near the Kuwaiti Hospital in the town of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. According to Firas Abu Shakhr, the attack happened without prior warning.

Safa News reported on there being “dozens of martyrs and wounded” in the bombing, with TRT News sharing videos of the wounded and killed being carried by grieving family members away from the rubble of their destroyed home, and of a surviving woman’s heartbreaking screams for her children, “Where are my six children? Where are the Arabs?” TRT reported that wounded and killed civilians were transported on foot because it was not possible to transport them in ambulances, which were already over capacity with wounded civilians. It also quoted medical sources as saying the bombing resulted in “26 dead, including children and women, and dozens of wounded.”

A Facebook account Diwan of the honorable Abu Lebda shared very disturbing videos of the aftermath of the attack showing the wounded children crying from pain. Firas Abu Shakhr shared the pictures of the injured civilians, including children, whom doctors tried to resuscitate.

Many sources described the bombing as a “massacre”, with a Facebook user Sari Baraka noting, “My aunt, her children, her husband, her husband’s family, their wives and their children were martyred in a massacre…. Not all bodies have been recovered and the number of martyrs has not been counted yet”.

Social media testimonies by family relatives and friends helped to identify the names of 17 killed members of the Abu Labdeh family.

A 61-year-old man Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh (Abu Khaled) was killed alongside his 61-year-old wife Kawthar Abu Labdeh (Umm Khaled), their two sons –  32-year-old Khaled Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh and 33-year-old Ahmed Saleh Mahmoud  Abu Labdeh and their 21-year-old daughter Shahad Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh. Khaled Abu Labdeh was killed along with his wife and his infant daughter, while  Ahmed was killed along with his wife and his 5-year old son Saleh Ahmed Saleh Abu Labdeh.

Hisham Abu Lebda wrote a touching Facebook testimony to his late uncle Saleh abu Labdeh, saying, “You are gone, uncle. Who wants to call us now?” He shared an image of his uncle, an elderly man in a checkered shirt. The late Ahmed Saleh was remembered in the post by Ramy Saleh who shared an image of a young man in a striped shirt.

Among the victims of the deadly attack was also Abu Khaled’s 50-year old sister-in-law Kholoud Ibrahim Ahmad Al-Najjar Abu Labdeh, the mother of Fadi Abu Labdeh, alongside her two sons, 20-year-old Tariq Salah Abu Labdeh and 16-year old Muhannad Salah Abu Labdeh, and her two daughters, 22-year-old Alaa Salah Abu Labdeh and 30-year-old Hanin Salah Abu Labdeh. Hanin was killed with her two sons, 7-year-old Mohammad Ahmed Mahmoud Abu Labdeh, 4-year-old Marwan Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Labdeh and 5-year-old daughter Joan Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Labdeh. According to the Abu Ahmad Aburazan Alnajjarm condolence message on Facebook, Khouloud’s husband Salah Abu Fadi and her son Fadi abu Lebda survived.

Fadyi Abu Labdeh, who survived the bombing, mourned the death of his mother, brothers, sisters, uncle and their families. The husband of the late Hanin Abu Labdeh, Ahmad Ibn Mahmoud, wrote a Facebook tribute to his deceased wife and children, sharing images with three young children with school bags.

A Facebook account Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda posted pictures of some of the killed members of Abu Labdeh family, including pictures of the young children.

All names civilians have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.

Where sources identified the belligerents all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (17)

Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh صالح محمود ابولبدة
61 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 919883272
Kawthar Abu Labdeh كوثر ابولبدة
61 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 967466269
Khaled Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh خالد صالح ابولبدة
32 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803207091
Ahmed Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh احمد صالح ابولبدة
33 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802731182
Shahad Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh شهد صالح ابولبدة
21 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 407877349
Wife of Khaled Abu Labdeh (Unnamed)
Adult female killed
Daughter of Khaled Abu Labdeh (Unnamed)
Child female killed
Wife of Ahmed Saleh Mahmoud Abu Labdeh (Unnamed)
Adult female killed
Saleh Ahmed Saleh Abu Labdeh صالح أحمد صالح ابو لبده
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 439118639
Kholoud Ibrahim Ahmad Al-Najjar Abu Labdeh خلود ابراهيم النجار ابولبدة
50 years old female Matched to MoH ID 934334657
Tariq Salah Abu Labdeh طارق صلاح ابولبدة
20 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408835155
Muhannad Salah Abu Labdeh مهند صلاح ابولبدة
16 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424733327
Alaa Salah Abu Labdeh الاء صلاح ابولبدة
22 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 407183623
Hanin Salah Abu Labdeh حنين صلاح ابولبدة
30 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 804717510
Mohammad Ahmed Mahmoud Abu Labdeh محمد
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 436942999
Marwan Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Labdeh مروان
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441276540
Joan Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Labdeh جوان
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 440689966

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 26
  • (6 children7 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (32) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Lmine MH

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Lmine MH

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Lmine MH

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Lmine MH

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Lmine MH

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Firas Abu Shakhr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Firas Abu Shakhr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Firas Abu Shakhr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Firas Abu Shakhr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Firas Abu Shakhr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hassan A Zourob

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: DS African

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medline Essam Al-Aqraa

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medline Essam Al-Aqraa

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medline Essam Al-Aqraa

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Gaza

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Naje Abulebdeh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Abu Lebda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ramy Saleh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Ibn Mahmoud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Ibn Mahmoud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Kuwaiti Hospital (المستشفى الكويتي) in the city of Rafah (رفح). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.289743, 34.251428.  

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[34.25137949313972,31.289805259320246],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.25073912432447,31.290352255655236],[34.25085627039371,31.29024562015411],[34.25100652296308,31.290343550721104],[34.250884283585435,31.29044583364933],[34.25073912432447,31.290352255655236]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.2518945103368,31.289571662001535],[34.25195308337143,31.28951290319246],[34.25204985621161,31.289586895760635],[34.251983643215794,31.289636949524223],[34.2518945103368,31.289571662001535]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.25173447908276,31.289371460788885],[34.2517701322341,31.28934099319855],[34.251849078499305,31.289401928370026],[34.25181342534799,31.289432395941304],[34.25173447908276,31.289371460788885]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}

  • Imagery:
    Firas Abu Shakhr

  • Imagery:
    Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

  • Imagery:
    Diwan of The Honorable Abu Lebda

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 26
  • (6 children7 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4223

Incident date

December 3, 2019

Location

البرسة, Al-Barsa, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was injured in alleged Russian or regime strikes on the village of Al-Barsa on December 3, 2019.

The correspondent for @HalabTodayT reported that a civilian was injured in the village of Al-Barsa in southeastern Idlib.

A tweet from @MasarPressNet identified “injuries” as resulting from strikes but did not specify how many.

@Ahmad_1alshble put the number of air raids at two and a Facebook post by Wasim Alkhalaf reported that a strike on Al-Barsa occurred at 9:19am and a second one occurred at 9:25am and the second one resulted in the injury of Abdul Basit Ahmed Al-Faris from Samaka village and resulted in damage to the mosque of faith in the village.

Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible, with @la1mea attributing the strikes to the regime and identifying missiles and barrel bombs as being used while a tweet from @altikriti1960 blamed Russian forces.

The incident occured at 09:19:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Basit Ahmed Al-Faris عبد الباسط احمد الفارس من قرية سمكة
Age unknown from the village of Samaka injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Rubble from airstrikes on Al-Barsa on December 3, 2019. (Image posted by @HalabTodayTV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TS160

Incident date

February 6, 2018

Location

جنديرس, Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.67296, 36.666364 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a private report, the Kurdish Red Crescent revealed two civilians as wounded followed an alleged Turkish shelling of Rajo, Syria. Both victims were reported as injured by shrapnel.

The type of weapon is unknown.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Othman Haydar Mohammed
42 years old male shrapnel in the arm injured
Hajji Mohammed Baker
39 years old shrapnel in various places injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Rajo, Afrin, Aleppo (جنديرس), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.67296, 36.666364. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]