Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

Belligerent
Israeli Military
Country
Syria
the Gaza Strip
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

ISPT0359

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

منزل لعائلة الحرازين بشارع السكة بالقرب من مسجد الصدقين, Al-Harazin family home, Al-Sikka Street near Al-Sadiqin Mosque, Al-Zaytoun Neighbourhood, East of Gaza City, Gaza City, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On 18 October 2023, 11 people were killed and 13 people were injured when an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the home of the Al-Harazin family on Al-Sikka Street, near Al-Sadiqin Mosque in Al-Zaytoun neighbourhood, east of Gaza City.

The attack was reported by Palinfo on Twitter/X, via a post stating that a warplane had bombed the home causing deaths and multiple injuries. A post from Facebook user Nedal Nayef claimed that 13 people had been injured. More details on the exact location and victims of the attack were posted via family and friends on Facebook.

Nephews, friends and other family members of the Al-Harazin family posted on social media mourning the loss of 11 people in the attack. Riyad Muhammad al-Harazin and his wife, referred to only as Umm Muhammad, were killed in the attack on their home, alongside their daughter Najma Riad al-Harazin, and two sons Abdul Hadi Riyad al-Harazin and Muhammad Riyad al-Harazin. Abdul’s daughter Sadan Abboud al-Harazin died alongside her father, while Muhammad’s wife Fidaa Khaled al-Harazin and their son Abdul Rahman Muhammad al-Harazin were also reportedly killed in the airstrike. Riyad’s granddaughter was also allegedly killed in the attack but was not named. Anwar Shuwaikh al-Harazin and her daughter (unnamed) were also reported amongst those killed by the alleged Israeli airstrike on the home. Esraa al-Hazareen took to Facebook to lament those still believed under rubble: “My uncle’s wife and daughter Najma are still under the rubble. Their bodies have not been found.”

User @az_za98 posted on Twitter/X, claiming that two people were rescued from the rubble of the home but it is unclear from the tweet if they survived the attack or not. Based on posts from various family members on Facebook, as many as four children may have been killed in this attack, although the exact ages of those killed are unclear.

The house was left in pieces, with nephew Mohammad Ramy posting on Facebook that it had been “completely blown up.” The family, he said, was “in crisis.”

Airwars was not able to match any of the names of victims with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names, age and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Israeli military.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Riyad Muhammad Al-Harazin رياض محمد الحرازين
Adult male killed
Wife of Riyad زوجة رياض
Adult female killed
Najma Riad Al-Harazin نجمة رياض الحرازين
Adult female killed
Abdul Hadi Riyad Al-Harazin عبد الهادي رياض الحرازين
Adult male killed
Sadan Abboud Al-Harazin سدن عبود الحرازين
Child female killed
Muhammad Riyad Al-Harazin محمد رياض الحرازين
Adult male killed
Fidaa Khaled Al-Harazin فداء خالد الحرازين
Adult female killed
Abdul Rahman Muhammad Al-Harazin عبد الرحمن محمد الحرازين
Child male killed
Anwar Shuwaikh Al-Harazin أنوار شويخ الحرازين
Adult female killed
Daughter of Anwar ابنة أنوار
Child female killed
Granddaughter of Riyad حفيدة رياض
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (4 children4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

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
    11
  • (4 children4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0319

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

عمارة الننام, Al Namnam building, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.449032, 34.391112 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An apartment belonging to Abu Rukba family located on the fifth floor of the five-storey Al-Namnam building on Faraj Allah Street in Al-Nuseirat Camp, Gaza Strip, was hit by an alleged strike around 10 PM on Wednesday, 18 October 2023, reportedly killing up to two civilians, including a 14-year-old child, and injuring two civilians. Photos on social media showed a building collapsed into a pile of rubble.

Shehab News Agency and Al-Mayadeen reported a bombing of the building and the death of a child whose body was delivered to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. A Twitter/X user @YouthGoDigital shared an image showing the transportation of the child’s body in an ambulance. He also reported about the two civilians killed in the strike along with a Facebook user Haithem Abu Moaz.

According to the Twitter/X user @_Ahmad_mazen, there were two burn injuries resulting from the explosion following the attack.

None of the sources attributed the attack to any specific belligerent, therefore Airwars classifed Strike Status as Contested and Civilian Harm Status as Contested until more information comes to light.

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 at approximately 10:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @YouthGoDigital
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rbab
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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an alleged strike on the al Namnam building (عمارة الننام) in Nuseirat camp (مخيم النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.449032, 34.391112. 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

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0320

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

جوار مدرسة أحمد عبد العزيز, Vicinity of Ahmed Abdul Aziz School, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.339303, 34.306151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the evening of Wednesday, October 18th 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike on a yard outside the Ahmed Abdul Aziz School funded by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and located in the al-Hawoz area of the Khan Younis Camp, near the Nasser Hospital, killed at least five civilians, including two children and three men, and reportedly injured at least 40 people. The school hosted displaced civilians from Northern Gaza.

The death toll may be significantly higher than five civilians as Masrawy news wrote about “dozens of martyrs and wounded”. A correspondent of Al Ghad TV reported about 40 injured people, while a post from Alhadath Palestine identified 60 injuries.

Al Arabiya correspondent reported that civil protection crews were heading to the school. After the bombardment, social media users, including @hamdibokari on Twitter/X and Al-Sharq Palestine on Facebook, shared videos documenting wounded children being transported to an ambulance and arriving at the hospital, though further details about the remaining victims and their current conditions were not available.

The attack killed children of a man named Ali Al-Qara; his 15-year old daughter Najla Ali Muhammad Al-Qara and 5-year old son Zein Ali Muhammad Al-Qara. According to Majeddiyab Facebook post, they were originally from the town of Khuza’a and were displaced to the Ahmed Abdul Aziz school. Their father Ali Al-Qara wrote a heartfelt testimony on Facebook mourning the loss of his children. He also shared an image of Zein – a young boy in a t-shirt and yellow jacket.

Najla Al-Qara was known for her high school success  –  Anwaa Alrhel wrote about her achievements in a Facebook tribute and shared an image of a girl holding a certificate in her hands surrounded by her teachers or relatives.

According to the social media tributes, among the victims of the attack were also three men –  Ali Muhammad Suleiman Abu Rizq, Hisham Abu Rida, and Ahmed Al-Ghouti.  According to the Twitter/X post by @KareemQaddura, Hisham and Ahmed were also displaced from Northern Gaza while Hani Abu Mustafa identified Ali Muhammad as a school teacher.

The deaths of Ali Muhammad Suleiman Abu Rizq and Ahmed Al-Ghouti were mourned in many Facebook posts. A Facebook post by user Ali said “We count you among the martyrs before God. Beloved friend Ali Muhammad Abu Rizq”. From the attached image the late Ali Abu Rizq is seen as a middle-aged bearded man in a black t-shirt. A Facebook post by user Wesam featured an image of the dead body of Ali Muhammad wrapped in a white cloth stained with blood. Ahmed Al-Ghouti’s cousin Saaed shared an image of a young Ahmed Al-Ghouti where he was standing near a red car.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. The exact time of the strike is unknown.

Airwars matched all the named victims with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

 

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 evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Najla Ali Muhammad Al-Qara نجلاء علي محمد القرا
15 years old female daughter of Ali Al-Qara killed Matched to MoH ID 426116406
Zein Ali Muhammad Al-Qara زين علي محمد القرا
5 years old male son of Ali Al-Qara killed Matched to MoH ID 440745321

The victims were named as:

Ali Muhammad Suleiman Abu Rizq علي محمد سليمان أبو رزق
36 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801732413
Hisham Abu Rida هشام أبو ريده
19 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 409735438
Ahmed Al-Ghouti أحمد الغوطي
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 403275738

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 24
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–60
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (27) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ali
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wesam
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    Source: Wesam
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    Source: Beso86press
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    Source: Beso86press
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    Source: Al-Sharq Palestine
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    Source: Al-Sharq Palestine
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    Source: Al-Sharq Palestine
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    Source: Saeed Al-Ghouti
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    Source: Mohamed Ahmed
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    Source: Hani Abu Mustafa
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    Source: Belal M. Alfaqawi
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    Source: Belal M. Alfaqawi
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    Source: Anwaa Al-Rahil
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    Source: Ali Hassan Kullab
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    Source: Nana Mohammed
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    Source: Ali Al-Qara Abu Omar
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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Ahmed Abdul Aziz School (مدرسة أحمد عبد العزيز) to the west of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.339303, 34.306151. 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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 24
  • (2 children3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–60
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0300

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

محيط ملعب برقة, Vicinity of Burqa Stadium, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.285973, 34.253723 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 17th 2023, 12 civilians from the same family, including five women and three children, were reportedly killed and an unknown number of others were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Al-Khawaja family home located in Al-Shaboura refugee camp in central Rafah near Burqa Stadium.

Safa News reported that “more than 10 unarmed civilians” were killed while Alarabiya Palestine identified 12 members of the Al-Khawaja family killed, along with images of their bodies wrapped in white shrouds and the funeral service. According to Aymen abo hatab al hawa, the funeral prayer was carried out at Al-Farouq Mosque in Al-Shaboura Camp and the burial occurred at Sultan Hill Cemetery.

A Facebook post by Musab Mohammad has identified all 12 of the victims. Hassan Mahmoud Al-Khawaja (Abu Ali) and his son, 29 year old Ibrahim Hassan Al Khawaja, were killed in the strike.

Hassan’s brother 54 year old Saber Mahmoud Al-Khawaja, his wife 50 year old Amal Abdul Aziz Al Khawaja and their children, 28 year old Muhammad Saber Al-Khawaja, 23 year old Asmaa Saber Al Khawaja and 20 year old Iman Saber Al Khawaja were also among those killed.

In addition, Hassan’s daughter-in-law 32 year old Walaa Muhammad Al-Khawaja Adwan (wife of Mahmoud Hassan Al-Khawaja) and her daughters 2 year old Sila Mahmoud Hassan Al-Khawaja and 9 year old Sarah Mahmoud Hassan Al-Khawaja were also all killed in the strike.

Hassan’s grandson Khaled Muhammad Fathi Jabr (child, son of Amaal Almahmoud) has also been identified and described as ‘the cutest and sweetest child in the world’ in a Facebook post by user Leqa Al Saadi. Lega’s post added that Khaled was finally born after 5 years of trying, and he had a twin brother named Adam who passed away a few hours after his birth. Khaled is pictured in his school uniform wearing a backpack.

A further Facebook post by Eman abu Koush paid tribute to 30 year old Manal Musa Mustafa Al-Khawaja Abu Armana (wife of Ali Hassan Al-Khawaka) who was among those killed and ‘prayed for mercy for her daughters’.

Multiple sources reported that “injuries” resulted from the strike. However, none provided an exact number of injuries.

The five-floor residential building reportedly provided refuge to families who had been displaced, with one source reporting that over 50 members of the Al-Khawaja were in the building. Images distributed on Facebook capture locals recovering the dead and injured from the rubble.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Hassan Mahmoud Al-Khawaja حسن محمود الخواجة
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Hassan Al Khawaja ابراهيم حسن الخواجة
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804766228
Saber Mahmoud Al-Khawaja صابر محمود الخواجة
54 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 958567596
Amal Abdul Aziz Al Khawaja مل عبد العزيز الخواجة
50 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 931685655
Muhammad Saber Al-Khawaja محمد صابر الخواجة
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400873030
Asmaa Saber Al Khawaja اسماء صابر الخواجة
23 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 405948134
Iman Saber Al Khawaja ايمان صابر الخواجة
20 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 408716926
Walaa Muhammad Al-Khawaja Adwan ولاء محمد الخواجا عدوان
32 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803276187
Sila Mahmoud Hassan Al-Khawaja سيلا محمود حسن الخواجة
2 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445257033
Sarah Mahmoud Hassan Al-Khawaja سارة محمود حسن الخواجة
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 433569365
Khaled Muhammad Fathi Al-Khawaja Jabr خالد محمد فتحي الخواجا جبر
Child male killed
Manal Musa Mustafa Al-Khawaja Abu Armana منال موسي مصطفي الخواجا أبوعرمانة
30 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 804429181

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 children5 women4 men)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adle abo batta
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud elmassri
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    Source: Mahmoud elmassri
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    Source: Mahmoud elmassri
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
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    Source: Asad al shareq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Palestine202229
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    Source: @Palestine202229
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Alarabiya Palestain
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    Source: Fady KH
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    Source: Abo mohammad mesara
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    Source: Abo mohammad mesara
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    Source: Leqa al saadi
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Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Burqa Stadium (ملعب برقة) in Rafah (رفح). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.285973, 34.253723

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  • Imagery:
    AFP News Agency

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
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (3 children5 women4 men)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0310

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

منزل عائلة الأسطل خلف الكتيبة بخان يونس, Al-Astal family’s house behind the battalion in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On October 17th 2023, a young male civilian was reportedly killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Al-Astal family home behind the battalion in Khan Yunis.

Posts circulated on social media have paid tribute and shared an image of the victim, 20 year old Rakan Khaled Muhammad Abdul Aziz Al-Astal. In one post, the user, Leena Alqedrah, offered their prayers to Rakan’s family.

A further Facebook post by user Khaled Abdel Salam Abu Walid reported that the funeral was planned for ‘tomorrow, Wednesday, at ten o’clock at the Austrian Stadium’.

News reporting and Twitter/X posts, such as from user @PalinfoAr on the day of the incident, reported that there were martyrs and injuries from the strike. However, there is no further detail on the wounded or additional victims killed.

In cases where sources attributed responsibility for the strike, they held the Israeli military responsible.

Airwars has matched the victim’s name with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rakan Khaled Muhammad Abdul Aziz Al-Astal ركان خالد محمد عبد العزيز الاسطل
20 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408022168

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khaled Abdel Salam Abu Walid

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
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0285

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

منزل عائلة الزريعي بدير البلح, al-Zari’i residence, Abu Arif Street Street, Deir Al-Balah, Deir Al-Balah, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

At least 12 people were killed and 12 others were reportedly injured after an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the al-Zari’i residence on Abu Arif Street Street in Deir Al-Balah on October 17th, 2023. Most of the deceased were members of the al-Zari’i family.

@ShehabAgency reported that seven people had been killed and 12 injured, and published on Twitter/X images of rescue teams removing people from the rubble, as well as scenes of funeral prayers for multiple victims. A Facebook post by Alzreae (al-Zari’i) said the strike occurred at night, and identified 11 members of the al-Zari’i as having been killed in the attack.

A Facebook post from Mohammed al-Zari’i identified the names of 10 members of the family who were killed: Um Ibrahim al-Zari’i, the grandmother of the family, was killed along with her son, 27 year old Ibrahim Saber al-Zari’i and her three daughters, 29 year old Doaa Saber al-Zari’i, 30 year old Safaa Saber al-Zari’i and Walaa Saber al-Zari’i. Walaa’s five children were also killed. Her two sons, Abdul Rahman Samir Saad, two months old, and Abdullah Samir Saad, 8 years old, both died, as did her three daughters: Rateel Samir Saad (10), Tala Samir Saad (8) and Yara Samir Saad (6).

A post from Samer mourned their brother’s wife Walaa and their children, along with providing images of the children who were killed.

Muhammad Abu Samra provided a video of Ibrahim Saber Al-Zari’i receiving his master’s degree in Hadith sciences and interpretation from the Islamic University of Gaza.

Two others who were killed appear to have been displaced, and were sheltering in the al-Zari’i home. These were a 58 year old woman named Fathia Ibrahim Muhammad al-Awawda and a 59 year old woman named Wafa Ibrahim Farhan al-Awawda, who appear to be relatives.

Graphic images posted by Zeyneb show what is described as the body parts of the children killed, which “were scattered on the roofs of neighbors’ houses”. Other sources mentioned that there were still people under the rubble at the time of reporting.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

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 during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Um Ibrahim al-Zari’i إم إبراهيم الزريعي
Adult female killed
Ibrahim Saber al-Zari’i إبراهيم صابر الزريعي
27 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 402169668
Doaa Saber al-Zari’i دعاء صابر الزريعي
29 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 804759033
Safaa Saber al-Zari’i صفاء صابر الزريعي
30 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803917384
Walaa Saber al-Zari’i ولاء صابر الزريعي
Adult female killed
Abdul Rahman Samir Saad عبد الرحمن سمير سعد
0.2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 444048110
Abdullah Samir Saad عبد الله سمير سعد
8 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 435962212
Rateel Samir Saad رتيل سمير سعد
10 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 433935665
Tala Samir Saad تالا سمير سعد
8 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 435962220
Yara Samir Saad يارا سمير سعد
6 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 438325052

Family members (2)

Fathia Ibrahim Muhammad al-Awawda فتحية إبراهيم محمد العواودة
58 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 947116737
Wafa Ibrahim Farhan al-Awawda وفاء إبراهيم فرحان العواودة
59 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 937050177

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (5 children6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (43) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmud
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: NaderSaadAbdulHaseeb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Basima
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Basima
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Zeyneb
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sanaa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sanaa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sajed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Benkanaan2
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @50Dirham
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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
    12 – 13
  • (5 children6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0284

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

النصيرات, Nuseirat, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.450065, 34.392934 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four people from the Abu Butihan family were killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on their home on October 17th, 2023.

Major General Fouad Ali Abu Butihan, 55, was the head of the Crossing and Borders Authority and would oversee crossings out of the Gaza Strip. It was reported that he was killed along with three of his children, a 19 year old son named Jihad Fouad Ali Abu Buttihan, and two other children.

Although Fouad was referred to as a ‘major general’, the description of his role suggests he held a government position, likely to be related to law enforcement, rather than military activity. His combatant status is therefore civilian rather than combatant in this assessment. Airwars will update this assessment should further information come to light about Fouad’s role.

A source on Facebook, Wael Abu Omar, stated two daughters had been killed, while the Abu Buttihan Family Youth Council offered condolences to Abu Butihan and his three sons. Multiple other sources also offered a speedy recovery to the wounded, but none identified how many people had been wounded.

The Hamas-run government posted a commemorative article for Abu Butihan: “We mourn a government leader who worked in many government work sites, and he was an example of sincerity and dedication to work and service to our people. We also bid farewell to a national leader who is attested in the field of resistance to [Israel], and who paid the captivity tax for years in [Israeli] prisons.”

Funeral prayers were held later the same day in the courtyard of the al-Aqsa Hospital.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Fouad Ali Abu Butihan فؤاد علي أبو بطيحان
55 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 962447371
Jihad Fouad Ali Abu Buttihan جهاد فؤاد علي أبو بطيحان
19 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408954188
Fouad Ali Abu Butihan's child (Unnamed)
Age unknown killed
Fouad Ali Abu Butihan's child (Unnamed)
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (33) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Paltodaytv news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palinfo news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Petra news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @MohamadDaba9966
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @alrayps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @alrayps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @alrayps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @alrayps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Rassd_Oman
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @SinaiTribes
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @bawabaanews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PolitiketAr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @akhbar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @WaelAboOmer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wael
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mediagovps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Groups
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamedjebriel
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Committee of the Youth of the Abu Batihan Family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Committee of the Youth of the Abu Batihan Family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Committee of the Youth of the Abu Batihan Family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Committee of the Youth of the Abu Batihan Family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Nuseirat (النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.450065, 34.392934. 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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 men)
  • 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 attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0281

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

مسجد صلاح الدين الأيوبي, Vicinity of Salah al Din al Ayyubi Mosque, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.497186, 34.457824 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A large number of people were killed and wounded when three houses collapsed, including the Arhim family home, north of the Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Mosque in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, after reportedly being hit by a bomb from an Israeli military aircraft on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

Many of the victims who were killed and injured were recovered from the rubble but others remained trapped.

Over 20 sources reported the incident, however none provided details of how many civilians were killed and injured. Given references to ‘large numbers’ of casualties, Airwars has used a 12-24 range in both the fatality and injury fields in line with our methodology.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the incident to the Israeli Military.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: alhak313Iraq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marena

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Salah al Din al Ayyubi Mosque (مسجد صلاح الدين الأيوبي) to the east of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.497186, 34.457824. 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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (24) [ collapse]