Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

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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]

Incident Code

ISPT0332g

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ, Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Tuesday, October 17th 2023, at least one young male civilian was reportedly killed, but the precise details of the incident, including location and time, are not yet known.

The victim was identified by friends and family on social media as a 22-year old man named Youssef Naji Fares al-Hayek.

Family member Haya Bashar wrote a message on Facebook announcing the death of his cousin: “I swear to God, I don’t know how to console, what to say, or how to console. God is sufficient for me, and He is the best disposer of affairs 💔💔💔 The son of my cousin Umm Youssef, ‘Youssef Naji Al-Hayek,’ has passed away to the mercy of God Almighty, joining the convoys of martyrs.”

Facebook user Muaamen shared a photo of himself with Youssef, who is depicted taking a selfie of the two of them wearing a light blue polo shirt and a cap smiling toward the camera.  The comment reads, “with great sorrow and sadness, and with hearts that believe in God’s will and destiny My friend, the martyr Youssef Al-Hayek, has passed away. May God accept you and make your place in heaven.”

Family members and friends shared many images of the late Youssef on social media where he appears as a young and smiling bearded man and was described as a “pure soul.” In an image shared by Hayek Family he is dressed in a white shirt and is captured against the backdrop of the sea.

While local sources did not identify the belligerent, Airwars has matched the name of the civilian killed with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023, which explicitly mentions that names on the list are “victims of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.” Therefore, the strike status of this incident has been graded as a single source claim. However, based on the multiple sources reporting on the civilian harm, the civilian harm status has been graded as fair.

The location of the strike is unknown.

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:

Youssef Naji Fares al-Hayek يوسف ناجي فارس الحايك
22 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 407119940

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Said

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yosuf

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hayek Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ishak

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Noor.hadedo.9

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Naji

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muaamen

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Aljoulani2018

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

ISPT0293

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

الشيخ رضوان, Sheikh Radwan, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.536752, 34.465399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Tuesday, October 17th, 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Haniyeh family house located in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City resulted in the death of at least 14 members of the Haniyeh family, while a large number of family members sustained moderate injuries, according to Gaza Now Facebook post.

Many of those killed were relatives of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Hamas political bureau in the Gaza Strip, though reports indicate he was not harmed in the attack. Hamas officials did not comment on his status.

The condolence messages in the social media helped to identify four family members killed in the deadly attack on the house reportedly belonging to Ismail Haniyeh’s brother. The bombardment killed Ismail Haniyeh’s son Dr. Hazem Ismail Haniyeh, his 50-year old brother Abdul Khaleq Khaled Haniyeh (Abu Malik), his nephew Abdel Khaled Haniyeh and his brother’s grandson Ahmed Haniyeh. It was reported that “a number of his grandsons” were killed, but the name of only one of them is known.

Abdul Khaleq Khaled Haniyeh was remembered in a Facebook post by “My Hope in God is Big” where he was called “ the cousin who is dear to all of our hearts”. The post also featured an image of the late Abdul – a bearded man in glasses and a white shirt.

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

When sources identified a belligerent, they 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Abdul Khaleq Khaled Haniyeh عبدالخالق خالد هنية
50 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 954751483
Abdel Khaleq Haniyeh خالد عبدالخالق هنية
male killed
Ahmed Haniyeh أحمد هنية
male killed
Hazem Ismail Haniyeh
male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14
  • (1–2 children1–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sultan Karis

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: My Hope in God is Big

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hanan Bu Alnaja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan (الشهداء), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.536752, 34.465399. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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
    14
  • (1–2 children1–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0332b

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On October 17th, 2023, Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Balbisi (25) was killed by an alleged Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip.

The Martyrs of Gaza Twitter/X account posted a tribute by Muhammad’s friend Hamoud Abbadi, quoting him as saying, “Who said that parting does not change the features? We were always together… in everything, laughing, going out, doing everything together. But this time, I am crying alone. We spent our childhood together, creating all our memories together. But now, I have to continue without you. Tell me, how can I? I can’t comprehend it until now, and I will never be able to overcome it. You are a loss to humanity. May God have mercy on you, my dear.”

Other friends and relatives expressed their grief on social media. On Facebook, Ahmed J.L.Alsibakhi wrote, “I extend my sincere condolences and sympathy to my friends and sisters, the Al-Balbisi family in general, and my dear brother and friend Ibrahim Al-Balbisi on the martyrdom of his brother Muhammad Al-Balbisi…Exactly two weeks ago, I was sitting with him in Rafah, going to see Ezza. I sat with him and he told me one sentence: we will all die, and life is not permanent and will end in the blink of an eye. Your words are wrong, my friend. We belong to God and to Him we shall return…” Abed Saqr shared a video featuring a smiling photo of Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Balbisi, along with a caption saying “To God we belong and to Him we shall return. The martyrdom of the good young man, Muhammad Al-Bilbisi, my cousin.” Another relative, Ahmad Ibraheem Al-Balbisi, posted “May God reward us with the martyrdom of my nephew, Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Balbisi.” On Twitter/X, @aliaalixxx reposted another photo showing Muhammad smiling at the camera and wrote “Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Balbisi (25 years old). He had many dreams.. and he was very kind to people and to be happy.. affectionate with everyone and a brother and son to everyone.”

Airwars was able to match Muhammad’s name with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th

The specific time and location of the strike are currently unknown. One source identified the belligerent, attributing 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Mahmoud Aa-Balbisi محمد محمود البلبيسي
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 405178633

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed J.L.Alsibakhi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed J.L.Alsibakhi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Sager

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @GazaMartyrs

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @GazaMartyrs

  • 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
    Single source claim
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0294

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

طريق البريد, Al Barid Road, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.342787, 34.310547 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 17, 2023, at least 10 people, members of the Barbakh family, were killed and at least five others were wounded during an alleged Israeli airstrike at the Barbakh family home on Al Barid road, central Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.

The attack, which struck the property located opposite the post office in central Khan Younis, occurred at around 2.50pm and resulted in an unknown number of injuries.

The Barbakh family bore the heaviest toll in this tragic incident, encompassing multiple generations from the eldest, 67-year-old Sheikh Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh (915605455), to the youngest, one-year-old Sawsan Mustafa Mahmoud Barbakh (445000276). Among those who lost their lives were Sawsan Ahmed Muammar (wife of Mahmoud), aged 54 (924300650); their son, Muhammad Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh, aged 13 (429488653); their grandson, Uday Makram Aouni Barbakh, aged 17 (424184737); Kholoud Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh, 21 (daughter of Mahmoud and Sawsan) (408537231); Sabreen Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh, 32 (daughter of Mahmoud and Sawsan) (803466366); and Samar Imad Al-Masry, 26, (daughter-in-law of Mahmoud and Sawsan) (403095318); Sally Ramez Muhammad Abu Muammar, 4 (daughter of Sabreen); and Saba Ramez Ahmed Barbakh (daughter of Sabreen).

Jihad Barbakh, a family member of the deceased, provided the names of the 10 members of the Barbakh family who were killed, in addition to mentioning that “more than 10 martyrs were passers-by on the road”, indicating that there were at least 10 additional deaths.

Local reports emphasised the absence of any forewarning prior to the attack. Immediately following the incident, eyewitness videos emerged which depict a scene of panic followed by a swift and substantial mobilisation of rescue operations. Local sources, including the Palestinian Health Ministry, reported that a number of casualties who were pulled from the rubble managed to reach Nasser Hospital, others could not be saved.

In the days and weeks preceding the incident, surviving members of the Barbakh family have paid tribute to their lost loved ones on Facebook. Most poignant of all was a November 3, video post from Mostafa Mahmud, husband of Samar Imad Al-Masry, showing their daughter one-year-old Sawsan Mustafa Mahmoud joyfully playing in her home. Mostafa explained that the video was captured less than five minutes before the airstrike hit their residence.

Multiple sources, Alaraby News and Safa News, reported that “injuries” resulted from the bombing but did not provide a toll. Images posted by Zahia Farahat show children and a man being treated from their injuries, with at least four different children receiving medical care.

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 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 incident occured at approximately 2:50 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh محمود سعيد بربخ
67 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 915605455
Sawsan Mustafa Mahmoud Barbakh سوسن مصطفى محمود بربخ
1 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445000276
Muhammad Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh محمد محمود سعيد بربخ
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429488653
Sawsan Ahmed Muammar سوسن أحمد معمر
54 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 924300650
Khuloud Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh خلود محمود سعيد بربخ
21 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 408537231
Sabreen Mahmoud Saeed Barbakh صابرين محمود سعيد بربخ
32 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803466366
Saba Ramez Ahmed Barbakh صبا رامز احمد بربخ
Child female killed
Sally Ramez Ahmed Barbakh سالي رامز احمد بربخ
4 years old female killed
Samar Imad Al-Masry سمر عماد المصري
26 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 403095318
Uday Makram Aouni Barbakh عدي مكرم عوني بربخ
17 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424184737

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (4–5 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Zahia Farahat

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Isam Abu Bisam

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Abu Faysal Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Moath Moh Iprahim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan Alaqqad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Shareef Ouni

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Faysal Majdi Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Faysal Majdi Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rashad Abu Tareq

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Umm Mohammad Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an alleged strike on a residential building on al Barid Road (طريق البريد) to the east of Khan Younis (خان يونس). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.342787, 34.310547.

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  • Imagery:
    @BlinxNow

  • Imagery:
    @BlinxNow

  • Imagery:
    @BlinxNow

  • Imagery:
    Mostafa Mahmud

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
    10 – 20
  • (4–5 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0345

Incident date

October 17–18, 2023

Location

مسجد شهداء الأقصى بمخيم النصيرات وسط قطاع غزة, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, Central Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

At least two people were killed and many more, including women and children, were reportedly injured on October 17th or 18th 2023, when the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Mosque near the Ain Jalut towers in the Nuseirat camp, in the central Gaza Strip, was allegedly bombed by an Israeli military aircraft.

Al Quds News Agency reported that the incident had resulted in two deaths and others had been injured. Hespress news agency also reported in a Facebook post that two people were killed and others were injured in the incident. Neither source identified these victims.

The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that the incident had resulted in a large number of deaths and injuries and that their correspondent reported dozens of victims who had been injured or killed arriving at the hospital, adding that they were displaced, had fled to the mosque to seek shelter and that most of the victims were women and children.

Likewise, Al Watan news agency reported that the incident had resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.

Hespress reported that the press office of the Palestinian Ministry of the Interior released a brief statement confirming the incident and that there had been deaths and injuries. The statement did not specify how many victims were killed and injured.

Al Quds quoted a medical source saying that the bombing had killed and injured Palestinians and had “caused widespread destruction in the area, and medical teams are still working to transfer the injured from nearby homes.” The source did not specify how many had been killed or injured.

Given references to ‘large numbers’ and ‘dozens’ of casualties, Airwars has used a 12-24 range in the injury fields and 2-2 in the fatalities range, due to the specific mention of two fatalities, in line with our methodology.

The Al Quds news article, published on October 18, 2023, mentioned the incident occurring on Tuesday but Hespress referred to the incident happening on Wednesday and there were no available sources published or posted prior to Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

A Twitter/X channel by the handle @aa_arabic posted a slideshow showing images of a large area of burnt rubble and vehicles, fire engines on the scene and both volunteers and civil defence teams searching through the rubble.

A video posted by Shorouk News on Twitter/X showed the scale of the destruction, with large craters, piles of rubble and twisted metal, fires still burning in a few places and buildings on the edge of the site being partially destroyed as well.

Al Jazeera, Palestine Media and a Facebook user named Samiha Salama reported that the bomb was dropped by an Israeli military aircraft and Al Jazeera posted a video on Facebook showing the site with a group of people, including children, running towards it and others walking around the rubble and debris.

Where sources identified a 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (10) [ 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
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0295

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

طلال السلطان, Tal al Sultan, Rafah , the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.310318, 34.241843 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During the morning of Tuesday, the 17th October 2023, the Israeli Defense Forces allegedly bombed the three-storey residential building belonging to the Abu Salima family, located on First Street in Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood, west of the city of Rafah in the Gaza strip. The strike is reported to have killed at least nine family members, including at least seven children and two women, and injured others.

The airstrike killed a 33-year old mother Lubna Khalil Al-Jamal Abu Salima alongside her five daughters: 10 year old Shatha Bilal Issam Abu Salima, 12 year old Retham Bilal Issam Abu Salima, 9 year old Lana Bilal Issam Abu Salima, 7 year old Maria Bilal Issam Abu Salima, and Habiba Bilal Issam Abu Salima. According to the social media post by Zakariyya Abu Salima, all the girls were children under age of 16. Lubna’s relatives Abdallah Abu Haytham, Mohammed AL Jamal, and Abeer Ismail honoured her memory in social media tributes.

The attack on the Abu Salima family house also took the lives of Lubna’s mother-in-law 67 year old Zainab Ahmed Al-Amoudi Abu Salima and her two granddaughters, 7 year old Janan Attia Khaled Attia and 5 year old Rital Attia Khaled Attia. Canada Kindergarten posted a condolence message on Facebook, writing that “with hearts full of sadness and pain, we mourn the flowers of Kindergarten Canada, the two martyred children / Rital Attia.. Janan Attia (birds in paradise, God willing).” The images of the two young girls in a school uniform were attached to the post. Safe Press Service reported that a man had also been killed in the strike, but this has not been corroborated elsewhere and no identifying information is known.

A Facebook user Fady Rafat posted a video of the immediate aftermath of the strike showing the destroyed building and groups of men trying to pull out victims. Mohammad Ayman Jarbou, Doaa Khaled, and Haitham Ali shared on Facebook images of a large building surrounded by rubble with walls missing and with clouds of smoke arising from it.

Haitham Ali also posted the pictures of rescue efforts and injured people being transported on stretchers. Mohammed Refat Farhat posted a video of a young girl who had been recovered alive, presumably from under the rubble. Gaza News Network reported about the injuries on the site, but the exact number of injured civilians is unknown. Rafah Service Official Account on Facebook shared a video of an injured man on stretchers surrounded by doctors who had just arrived to Kuwaiti hospital.

A social media user Mohamed Hamada commented in a post dedicated to the deceased family members that “My uncle’s wife, Umm Muhammad Abu Salima (Al-Amoudi), passed away. My cousin Bilal’s wife, the entire family, and my cousin’s daughters were subjected to a barbaric bombing of their house in the city of Rafah.” In memory of his family, he also commented “O Lord, bless them with your satisfaction, heal those who remain, and bind our hearts.”

All names but one 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 military. According to numerous local sources, the attack happened without prior 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 incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Zainab Ahmed Al-Amoudi Abu Salima زينب احمد العامودي أبو سليمة
67 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 701187650
Lubna Khalil Al-Jamal Abu Salima لبنى خليل الجمل أبو سليمة
33 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802784645
Shatha Bilal Issam Abu Salima شذا بلال عصام أبو سليمة
10 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 434342119
Reham Bilal Issam Abu Salima ريهام بلال عصام أبو سليمة
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802784645
Lana Bilal Issam Abu Salima لانا بلال عصام أبو سليمة
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 435223458
Maria Bilal Issam Abu Salima ماريا بلال عصام أبو سليمة
7 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 437078918
Habiba Bilal Issam Abu Salima حبيبة بلال عصام أبو سليمة
Child female killed
Janan Attia Khaled Attia جنان عطية خالد عطية
7 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 436938344
Rital Attia Khaled Attia ريتال عطية خالد عطي
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 440687192

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (7 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 (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Ayman Jarbou

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Canada Kindergarten

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ehsan Amin

  • 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.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Tal al Sultan (طلال السلطان) to the west of Rafah (رفح). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tal al Sultan are: 31.310318, 34.241843.

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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
    9 – 10
  • (7 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 (35) [ 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]