Israel and Gaza 2023

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
text search
413 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

ISPT0112

Incident date

October 11, 2023

Location

شارعالفجم, Alfjm Street, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.343243, 34.325098 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least eight civilians, including eight members of the same family, were killed and a number of others were wounded when an alleged Israeli bomb hit the Samour family house on Al-Fajm Street, in the Bani Suhaila area, east of Khan Yunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip, on the evening of Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Petra News reported that eight family members were killed, as well as a number of injured civilians. All were reportedly taken to Nasser Medical Hospital. Eight of the victims were identified by their family members as 62-year-old Rawhiya Muslim Sammour, 45-year-old Raafat Ibrahim Sammour, 35-year-old Assef Issa Sammour, his 37-year-old brother Musa Issa Sammour, Musa’s wife 31-year-old Hana Adel Al-Fajm. Three children, a 13-year-old boy named Ahmed Musa Sammour, a nine-year-old boy named Salem Musa Sammour, and a five-year-old girl named Ghazal Musa Salem Sammour were also among those killed.

Om Abdullah Hajras made a Facebook post mourning the death of her sister’s husband Abu Al-Abd Sammour; this is likely to be the nickname of one of the victims named above.

Al-Quds News reported on October 12th that there were 10 bodies believed to still be under the rubble. Airwars has not yet included these individuals in the casualty range, but will update the assessment should further information come to light.

Mahmoud Alraqeeb reported on Facebook that only three civilians were killed in the strike but all other sources, including the Samour family themselves, report at least eight were killed.

Al-Quds News reported that the bodies of the eight family members were quickly rescued from the rubble by rescue workers and were identified in the morgue by friends and relatives. The bodies of the Samour family were taken from the hospital, wrapped in burial shrouds and covered in a floral blanket, and placed in an empty square where hundreds of men prayed nearby.

@WWIIIAR claimed the strike took place without warning.

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

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the strike 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 evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Rawhiya Muslim Sammour روحية مسلم سمور
62 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 943591032
Raafat Ibrahim Sammour رافت ابراهيم سمور
45 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 900330812
Assef Issa Sammour عاصف عيسى سمور
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800324022
Musa Issa Sammour موسى عيسى سمور
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801350364
Hana Adel Al-Fajm هنا عادل الفجم
31 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803582071
Ahmed Musa Sammour احمد موسى سمور
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424516250
Salem Musa Sammour سالم موسى سمور
9 years old male killed
Ghazal Musa Salem Sammour غزل موسي سالم سمور
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429735632

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children2 women3 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Abdullah hajras facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Brim family facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Brim family facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Alfjm Street (شارعالفجم) east of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.343243, 34.325098. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[34.32525992495897,31.342861931957657],[34.32516957846616,31.343104061386],[34.32495461611995,31.343489870726117],[34.324830000267326,31.34384641036445],[34.32478859601139,31.34391208217386],[34.32477085133297,31.343940708332042],[34.3246919860963,31.344252227728788],[34.32465255347685,31.344402093449204],[34.32454388534188,31.344670947456095],[34.324149077784455,31.345088084823644],[34.32340423465982,31.345779833546302],[34.32307862017993,31.346099635257275],[34.32251391487557,31.346788605230103],[34.32190080904587,31.347509719174894],[34.32140602188616,31.34812978088486],[34.320963962280985,31.348841698228085],[34.319966165362416,31.349941916920685]],"type":"LineString"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[34.31996557146124,31.34994054669069],[34.31980050554188,31.350037401678875],[34.31966463495439,31.35012179010141],[34.31958041764892,31.350128502813817],[34.31950406062424,31.35011795426604]],"type":"LineString"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[34.31979819831693,31.35030516041043],[34.31979258383009,31.350252417758156],[34.319862203469,31.350139260694363],[34.31996775582684,31.34994075602563]],"type":"LineString"}}]}

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
    8
  • (3 children2 women3 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0124a

Incident date

October 11, 2023

Location

خان يونس, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.346149, 34.303899 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, October 11th 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the Abu Shab family house in the town of Khan Yunis, killing eight family members, including five women and three children, and injuring up to 15 other civilians. The owner of the house, Omar Abu Shab Abu Rifaat, was severely injured and remained in intensive care as of the 11th October. This incident is closely connected to another incident, ISPT0124, which reflects civilian fatalities in a neighbouring house in a strike on the same day.

A 43-year old Hala Suleiman Awadallah Abu Shab (Shabab) was killed together with her daughters, 20-year old Rana Raif Salman Abu Shab (Shabab) and 23-year old Shaima Raif Salman Abu Shab (Shabab), as well as Shaima’s small daughter. Other victims included 23-year old Alaa Omar Suleiman Abu Shab (Shabab), as well as the wife of Rifaat Omar Salman Abu Shab (her name was not indicated in testimonies), and her children, a one-year old son Amir Rifaat Omar Salman Abu Shab (Shabab) and a three-year old girl Nagham Refaat Omar Salman Abu Shab (Shabab). Mahmoud Abu Rahma posted pictures of these two small children who lost their lives in the attack on Facebook.

The victims’ relatives and friends – Fadi Abu Khater, Om Fathi Abu Shab, Dahir ABu Shab, and Mamhmoud Saqr mourned the death of their loved ones in the testimonies on Facebook. Rakab family expressed its deepest condolensces to its neighbours, Abu Shab family.

Describing the attack on the two family houses (Abu Shab and Al-Agha, the latter described in another incident – ISPT0124), the Shehab Agency correspondent wrote about up to 15 injured civilians, but later the Wafa agency reported about “injury of dozens”.

Airwars recorded the identified victims members of Al-Agha family in another incident, coded as ISPT0124. Though, as some sources only provided a total number of victims from both family houses, there might be some overlap between the estimated number of civilians injured recorded in this incident and in ISP0124. Airwars will update both assessments once new information is available.

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

Where a belligerent was identified, sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces. Sources report that the airstrike occurred without warning.

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 (9)

Hala Suleiman Awadallah Abu Shab هالة سليمان عوض الله ابو شاب
43 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 905306841
Rana Raif Salman Abu Shab رنا رئيف سلمان ابو شاب
20 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 408991206
Shaima Raif Salman Abu Shab شيماء رئيف سلمان ابو شاب
23 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 406949693
Daughter of Shaima Raif Salman Abu Shab بنتها من عائلة الركاب
Child female killed
Alaa Omar Suleiman Abu Shab علاء عمر سليمان ابوشاب
23 years old female killed
Rifaat Omar Salman Abu Shab’s wife زوجة رفعت عمر سلمان ابوشاب و اطفالها
Adult female killed
Amir Rifaat Omar Salman Abu Shab امير رفعت عمر سلمان ابوشاب
1 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445716533
Nagham Refaat Omar Salman Abu Shab نغم رفعت عمر سليمان ابوشاب
3 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 442360657
Omar Abu Shab Abu Rifaat
injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Wael facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Abu Rahma facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Fathi Abu Shab facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Fathi Abu Shab facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Fathi Abu Shab facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Fathi Abu Shab facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Fathi Abu Shab facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Fathi Abu Shab facebook

  • 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

Reports of the incident mention the city of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.346149, 34.303899. 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
    8
  • (3 children5 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0241a

Incident date

October 14, 2023

Location

منزل عائلة العجرمي, al-Ajrami temporary residence, Abu Arif Street, Deir al-Balah, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

At least 38 people were killed, including 17 children and 12 women, and at least four others were injured, including three children and a woman, after an alleged Israeli airstrike on a home on Abu Arif Street in the Deir al-Balah region of Gaza on the afternoon of October 14th, 2023. Most of those killed were members of the al-Ajrami and Jouda families.

Al-Ghad reported that a total of 38 people were killed in the attack on the Jouda family home.

From the sources, 13 members of the Al-Ajrami family who were killed were identified. From the al-Ajrami family, 57 year old Dr. Ayed Atallah al-Ajrami (Abu Iyad) was killed, as was his wife 59 year old Samira al-Ajrami (Umm Iyad). 32 year old Lubna Ayed al-Ajrami was killed, along with her daughter, six year old Sham Muhammad Abu Obaid. Lubna’s sister Aya Ayed al-Ajrami was also killed with her daughter Nevin Muhammad al-Saati. Several other children were killed: seven year old Malik Muhammad al-Ajrami, their sibling five year old Bahaa Muhammad al-Ajrami, Amir Mahmoud al-Ajrami, eight/nine year old Ayed Iyad al-Ajrami, their sibling 13 year old Hala Iyad al-Ajrami, and six year old Zeina Ziad al-Ajrami. 32 year old Nadia Maher al-Rayes, the wife of Iyad (Ziad) al-Ajrami, was also killed, along with “her children”.

The deceased were remembered in multiple condolence posts on social media. Tamer al-Ajrami, a nephew, described Ayed as someone who “left his kind mark in everyone’s hearts” and “was a symbol of love and giving.” Salma el-Rayes, a cousin of Nadia al-Rayes, wrote that Nadia was a gifted engineer, who had once “won an award for her project to design an elevator for the disabled” and that she was survived by only her child. Images posted by Samer N Nabolsi appear to show Muhammad Al-Ajrami Abu Malik carrying the bodies of his children Malik and Bahaa.

According to Abdullah al-Ajrami, Ayed Atallah al-Ajrami and “fourteen martyrs from their sons, daughters and children” were killed while Ibrahim Melhem reported that 17 extended family members were killed. Anas Alamer Katrge added that “the rest of the family was seriously injured, and Aunt Jamila Talib Al-Amawi, wife of the martyr Abu Iyad Al-Ajrami, and the rest of the family are still in intensive care’. An image posted by Naser alshabat shows a deceased Lubna and “her nephew Zain” giving her a farewell look, while Zain looks to have an injury on his hand.

At least 20 members of the Jouda family were also killed, and their names were identified by the sources. Muhammed Abdulkader Jouda and his wife Samah Tayseer Fares Abu Joudeh (Ghannam) were killed with their sons Yosef Jouda, Mustafa Jouda and Khaled Jouda, and their infant daughter Khadija Jouda, . Muhammed Abdulkader’s brother Wesam Jouda and his daughter Shaima Jouda were also among those killed. Muhammed Abdulkader’s other brother Alaa Jouda was killed with his wife, who remains unnamed. Their children, sons Muhammed Jouda and Abu Bakr Jouda, and daughters Aisha Jouda and Maryam Jouda were also killed. Muhammed Abdulkader’s brother Ismail Jouda and his wife, again unnamed, were killed with their two sons, Abdulkader Jouda and Abdul Rahman Jouda. Muhammed Abdulkader and his siblings’ mother Faeda Ghannam (Hajja Umm Wesam) was among those killed.

Nibal Sukkar posted a condolence message for “21 male and female” members of the Abu Jouda family, including his uncles Alaa, Ismail, Muhammad, and Wesam, along with their families, adding that Muhammad’s eldest son Abdul Al-Qadir and his eldest daughter survived the strike. Ranim Manisy posted a memorial for her friend of more than 16 years Shaima Jouda who was a student of Oral and Dental Medicine at the University of Palestine, describing her as “my friend and my sister” and gave condolences to to Shaima’s mother “my dear teacher Miss Abeer” who wasn’t among those killed. Creative Smurfs Kindergarten also posted a condolence message for their students Abdulkader Jouda, Aisha Jouda and Abdul Rahman Jouda.

Lea Abdel Rahim Al-Jahjouh, Alaa Abdel Karim Abu Joudeh (Al-Assar), Rana Rafat Helmi Abu Mousameh (Al-Rahala), Ahmed Nour Ahmed Abu Lehiyah, Alaa Ayesh Abu Al-Aouf, and Manal Momen Majed Abu Al-Aouf were also named in sources as among those killed.

The al-Ajrami family had heeded prior Israeli warnings to move to the south of the Strip – Ayed Atallah al-Ajrami and his nephew Raji received a call from the Israeli military to move southwards immediately. CNN, drawing from records of the call, reported that IDF officials instructed civilians to move south but gave “no guidance on how to get there,” though Aaed al-Ajrami had asked which roads would be safest to take, being told “It doesn’t matter which road,” the officer replied. “Do it as fast as you can. There is no time left.” The family evacuated their northern home very early on the morning of October 13th, 2023, and traveled to a friend’s home eight miles away, in the safe zone of Deir al-Balah. They would be killed by an airstrike the next afternoon. According to multiple sources, the home belonged to Abu Wesam Jouda and was located opposite the “High Class” lounge on Abu Arif Street.

Ayed’s nephew, Raji, who was with him when he received the IDF guidance to evacuate, was staying at another building nearby when he heard the explosion and rushed to the scene. “The destruction was massive,” Raji said. “We started digging people out who were hit by the explosion, some of them were still alive … the gunpowder smell was very strong, the dust was everywhere.” Following the strike, Raja took in the injured children who survived the strike.

A funeral for the Al-Ajrami family took place in Deir al-Balah cemetery on October 15th, 2023.

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

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.

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.

The victims were named as:

Family members (13)

Aaed Atallah al-Ajrami عائد عطالله العجرمي
57 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 949863054
Samira al-Ajrami (Umm Iyad) سميرة العجرمي
59 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 906010459
Lubna Ayed al-Ajrami لبنى عائد العجرمي
32 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803501972
Sham Muhammad Abu Obaid شام محمد ابو عبيد
6 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 438114787
Aya Ayed al-Ajrami آية عائد العجرمي
Adult female killed
Nevin Muhammad al-Saati يفين محمد الساعاتي
Child female killed
Malik Muhammad al-Ajrami مالك محمد العجرمي
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 437193063
Bahaa Muhammad al-Ajrami بهاء محمد العجرمي
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440456457
Amir Mahmoud al-Ajrami امير محمود العجرمي
Child male killed
Ayed Iyad al-Ajrami عائد اياد العجرمي
8 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 434229407
Hala Iyad al-Ajrami حلا اياد العجرمي
13 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429771926
Nadia Maher al-Rayes نادية ماهر الريس
32 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802795534
Zeina Ziad al-Ajrami زينة زياد العجرمي 
6 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 438447666

Family members (21)

Samah Tayseer Fares Abu Joudeh (Ghannam) سماح تيسير فارس ابو جوده (غنام)
47 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 900965732
Muhammed Abdulkader Jouda محمد عبد القادر جودة
46 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 901624767
Yosef Jouda يوسف جودة
23 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 405946245
Mustafa Jouda مصطفى جودة
20 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408781813
Khaled Jouda خالد جودة
18 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 421224064
Khadija Jouda خديجة جودة
7 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 436806194
Faeda Ghannam فائدة غنام
Age unknown female killed
Wesam Jouda وسام جودة
50 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 924435100
Shaima Jouda شيماء جودة
21 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 412276990
Alaa Jouda علاء ابو جودة
41 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 909086480
Alaa Jouda's wife (Unnamed)
Adult female killed
Muhammed Jouda محمد جودة
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 430547117
Abu Bakr Jouda أبو بكر جودة
Age unknown male killed
Aisha Jouda عائشة جودة
6 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 438477119
Maryam Jouda مريم جودة
1 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445793391
Ismail Jouda اسماعيل جودة
Adult male killed
Ismail Jouda's wife (Unnamed)
Adult female killed
Abdulkader Jouda عبد القادر
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 437400823
Abdul Rahman Jouda عبد الرحمن
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438510935
Aisha al-Louh عائشة اللوح
Age unknown female killed
Alaa Abdel Karim Abu Joudeh (Al-Assar) الاء عبد الكريم محمد ابو جوده
34 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 801203464

The victims were named as:

Rana Rafat Helmi Abu Mousameh (Al-Rahala) رنا رأفت حلمي الرحاله
31 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803888890
Lea Abdel Rahim Al-Jahjouh ليا عبد الرحيم الجحجوح
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Nour Ahmed Abu Lehiyah أحمد نور احمد ابو لحيه
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441133501
Alaa Ayesh Abu Al-Aouf الاء عايش أبو العوف
22 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 407830975
Manal Momen Majed Abu Al-Aouf منال مؤمن ماجد ابوالعوف
0.6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 444391163

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    38
  • (17 children12 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (63) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (58) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khaled jouda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adnan alajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammed abu tahoon

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammed abu tahoon

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdulla ajrami news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdulla ajrami news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdulla ajrami news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Naser alshabat

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @basem1gaza

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @sariabdel

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: KG alsanafer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Salma El Rayes

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doha E. Hametto

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah Ajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah Ajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah Ajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer N Nabolsi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer N Nabolsi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Etimad Abu Jalala

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Etimad Abu Jalala

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Etimad Abu Jalala

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Etimad Abu Jalala

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nasser Shabat

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tamer Ajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marwan Elajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Abu Tahon

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Abu Tahon

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marina Sawah Saif

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marina Sawah Saif

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Melhem

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Abu Asaker

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abo asenat

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kareem Jouda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khaled Alsawaeer

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Imad alimade

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Imad al-Din Bashir Hamo

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khaled Jouda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Shady M Sukker

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tesnem

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Ghannam

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hassan Al-Ajrami

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source:

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source:

  • 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.

  • 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    38
  • (17 children12 women8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (63) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0187B

Incident date

October 13, 2023

Location

بيت لاهيا, Beit Lahia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.551277, 34.509233 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 13th 2023, a young male civilian was killed in a bombing of the Al-Barawi family home located in Beit Lahia, Gaza Strip.

A post on social media from a relative, Wisam Al-Barawi, identified Mohammed Basem Al-Barawi as the civilian killed in the strike on Beit Lahia.

An image of the damaged house showing the collapse of the building was distributed on Facebook. It was also reported by local sources that no warning was provided before the strike.

None of the sources attributed the strike to a belligerent, therefore the strike status and civilian harm grading have been evaluated as contested.

Airwars was not able to match the named victim 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Basem Al-Barawi محمد باسم البراوي
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: THaer abu rayash facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Thaer Abu Rayash facebook

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Lahia (بيت لاهيا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.551277, 34.509233. 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
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0205

Incident date

October 15, 2023

Location

حي الأمل بخان يونس, a house of the Abu Mustafa family near the Emirati Neighborhood, in Al-Amal neighborhood in Khan Yunis, Gaza strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Sunday, October 15th 2023, at least five civilian members of the Abu Mustafa family, including three children and a young man, were killed, and at least four others were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on a family home in the al-Amal neighbourhood in Khan Yunis, Gaza strip.

Initial reporting from Shehab Agency stated one civilian had been killed and that others injured were transferred to Nasser Hospital. Reporting also stated that a search “is underway for missing people under the rubble.” The death toll was later updated to three, with four others injured in the bombing. Motaz Press stated that “a number of injured people, including a paramedic, died during the rescue” efforts, while Al Mayadeen News reported that there were a “large number of martyrs and wounded” as a result of the bombing.

Among those initially reported as injured were Ibrahim Majed Abu al-Atta, and the child Baraa Majid Abu Mustafa, with a video shared of their arrival to the Nasser Hospital. They later succumbed to their injuries, with the Palestinian Information Center sharing their names among the list of those killed in the strike – Majed Abu Mustafa Abu al-Atta, his wife Hanan Salem Abu Mustafa (48), their sons Ibrahim Majed Abu al-Atta (22) and Wajid Majed Abu Mustafa (13), their daughters Baraa Majed Abu Mustafa (9) and Thanaa Majed Abu Mustafa (6). The Palestinian Ministry of Health identified Baraa as being 25 years old and Thanaa as being 17.

Sources including Al Jazeera shared images and videos such as the efforts to rescue children trapped underneath the rubble, and of the bodies of those killed wrapped in shrouds being transported away.

Friends and colleagues mourned the loss on social media, with the Youth Safe Home Center posting a tribute to Ibrahim, sharing a photo of him – a smiling, young bearded man. They called him a “colleague in humanitarian and community work”, who also entertained children in games to relieve them from psychological trauma and stress, adding that his sister “was suffering from kidney failure.” A user on social media, Majeddiyab, shared an image of Ibrahim saying “May God have mercy on you, Mustafa. Yesterday he was with us and his smile never left him despite the pain of the country.” Twitter/X user @feraasemad referred to the killed Majid Abu Mustafa as “Colonel” – it is unclear if he was a militant.

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

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces. According to the Youth Safe Home Center, the bombing occurred without warning.

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 (5)

Hanan Salem Abu Mustafa حنان سالم أبو مصطفى
48 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 938926979
Ibrahim Abu Mustafa إبراهيم أبو مصطفى
22 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 402056550
Wajid Abu Mustafa واجد أبو مصطفى
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 426323655
Baraa Abu Mustafa براءة أبو مصطفى
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404155814
Thanaa Abu Mustafa ثناء أبو مصطفى
6 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 424218246

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2–3 children1–2 women1–2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (30) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @fastien345

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @fastien345

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @_G4Z4

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @_G4Z4

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @_G4Z4

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @feraasemad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Motazpress

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Shawqi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: SHFYC2014

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Majeddiyab

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um safi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um safi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um safi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um safi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um safi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um safi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um safi

  • 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
    5 – 6
  • (2–3 children1–2 women1–2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0325

Incident date

October 18, 2023

Location

منزل لعائلة "اسماعيل" بالمخيم الجديد في النصيرات, A house for the “Ismail” family was bombed in the new camp in Nuseirat, Nuseirat, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

At least five people, including a woman and a child, were killed and dozens injured after an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the Ismail family residence located in the new refugee camp in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip.

Ayman Ismail Abu Bakr, a shopkeeper, was killed, along with his sons 22-year-old Ahmad Ayman Ismail and 25-year-old Mohammed Ayman Ismail. 24-year-old Abeer Ismail was also killed, along with her son, who remains unnamed.

Ahmed worked in his father’s supermarket with his brothers, and was remembered on social media for his “kindness,” “laughter” and “smile.”

Multiple sources mentioned “wounded” while Maher Al Hijazi was the only source to specify “dozens of injuries”. The wounded were taken to the al-Aqsa Hospital, along with the deceased.

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

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 (5)

Ayman Ismail أيمن إسماعيل
male killed
Ahmad Ayman Ismail أحمد أيمن إسماعيل
22 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 406024505
Muhannad Ayman Ismail مهند أيمن إسماعيل
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 404278780
Abeer Ismail عبير إسماعيل
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404614067
Son of Abeer ابن عبير إسماعيل
male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wael Jarwan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Adnan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The brave brave ones

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Qudspress.com news

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
    5
  • (1 child1 woman3 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0242

Incident date

October 16, 2023

Location

جباليا, Jabalia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.538711, 34.495107 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Monday, October 16th 2023, an alleged airstrike by Israeli forces on the home of the Zaher (Dhaher) family located east of Jabalia camp in the Gaza Strip reportedly killed at least eight family members, including two women and five children, and injured a number of others.

Facebook testimonies by Fatima Jaber and Amir Tariq Daher helped to ascertain the identities of the victims. Abdulaziz Muhammad Zaher was killed alongside his wife Umm Muhammad Hassan Zaher (Mansour) and their six children: a 22-year old daughter Dr. Maysaa Abdulaziz Muhammad Zaher, a 13-year old daughter Malak Abdulaziz Muhammad Zaher, an 11-year old daughter Mennat Allah Abdulaziz Muhammad Zaher, a 4-year old son Mahmoud Abdulaziz Muhammad Zaher, a 10-year old son Hassan Abdulaziz Muhammad Zaher, and a 1-year old son Anas Abdulaziz Muhammad Zaher.

Shehab agency, Jalazone Media Center and local social media users posted photographs of the heavy destruction and rubble left from the Zaher family house. A family relative Mustafa Zahir shared images of a funeral prayer for the family where dead bodies wrapped in white cloth stained with blood can be seen. A post by Facebook user Amir Tariq Daher contained a graphic image of a dead infant.

A tweet from @EekadFacts reported that a number of wounded resulted from the strike without specifying how many.

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

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 (8)

Abdulaziz Muhammad Dhaher عبد العزيز محمد ظاهر
52 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 912903705
Umm Muhammad Hassan Dhaher (Mansour) أم محمد حسن ضاهر
female killed
Dr. Maysaa Abdulaziz Dhaher ميساء عبد العزيز ظاهر
22 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 408376101
Malak Abdulaziz Dhaher ملاك عبد العزيز ظاهر
13 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429688740
Mennat Allah Abdulaziz Dhaher منة الله عبد العزيز ظاهر
11 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 432340628
Mahmoud Abdulaziz Dhaher محمود عبد العزيز ظاهر
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441141413
Hassan Abdulaziz Dhaher حسن عبد العزيز ظاهر
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 434020962
Anas Abdulaziz Dhaher أنس عبد العزيز ظاهر
1 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 444361927

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (5 children2 women1 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ 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: Mustafa Zahir

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mustafa Zahir

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Oday Rafiq

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Aljazeera Mubasher Channel

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jalazone Media Center

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jalazone Media Center

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jalazone Media Center

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jalazone Media Center

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amir Tariq Daher

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amir Tariq Daher

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alshareef Dr-Naim Thaher

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alshareef Dr-Naim Thaher

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jabalia (جباليا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.538711, 34.495107. 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
    8
  • (5 children2 women1 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0395

Incident date

October 20, 2023

Location

ديرالبلح, Deir al Balah, Central Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians were killed in an alleged Israeli bombardment on residential tower blocks in Deir al Balah during the afternoon of 20th October 2023. It appears most, if not all, of those killed were children. At least four other injured civilians were identified by looking at images of the incident. Both the deceased and injured remain unnamed. Safa Press Service reported that the bodies of the children were taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital.

It appeared two consecutive strikes hit two buildings within the Al-Qastal Tower complex. The first hit the Palestine Tower, with the second hitting Tower 8 shortly afterwards.

@ShehabAgency and other local sources initially reported that “a Palestinian was killed and others injured” in the incident while other sources identified five people killed. A Facebook post from “History and Burial” included a graphic image of the bodies of six children who they said were killed in Deir Al-Balah, adding that “they were sleeping, and now they are sleeping forever.” Another post from An-Najah Block included a video of a funeral for the members of the Kurd family who also reportedly died in Deir al Balah.

Multiple local sources reported that injuries resulted from the strike without providing a toll. A video from @AJA_Palestine shows at least three injured children being brought into the hospital for treatment, as well as an injured man.

The strike was caught on a live television broadcast by Al Ghad and showed two towers simultaneously being struck and collapsing instantly. Images of the aftermath were shared by Quds Network (@qudsn) on X/Twitter showing the multiple storeys of the buildings had collapsed with the floors layered on top of one another.

According to Safa PS, Tower No. 8 in Al-Qastal Towers is affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. This was corroborated by source @K_a_p_s_o_l_a, on X/Twitter. It is unclear the extent of this affiliation.

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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • (1–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • (1–6 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (39) [ collapse]