Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

Belligerent
Palestinian Militants
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Incident Code

PALIS029

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel

Geolocation

31.666667, 34.566667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Rockets fired by Al-Qassam hit the city of Ashkelon, reportedly leading to injuries for between six and eight civilians who fell whilst running to bomb shelters.

Civilians were transferred to Barzillai Hospital for treatment.

According to one source, around 5.30pm eight physically injured civilians arrived at Barzillai hospital including one victim who was injured in the hip whilst running to the emergency room, a 32 year old who was hit in the face with shrapnel, a 26 year old victim who was hit in the blast, and a 33 year old man who fell from a bicycle during the alarm. However, it was not clear whether these victims sustained their injuries during this incident as no other sources reported any biographical information.

According to two reports from Ashkelon Post, three Ashkelon residents had arrived at the hospital that day around midnight, including a 46 year old woman who sustained a leg injury whilst running to a police station, a 52 year old civilian who was taken for a neurological examination and a civilian who was experiencing anxiety. However, it was also not clear whether these victims sustained their injuries during this incident as no other sources reported any biographical information and the time of incident was unclear.

The time of the incident was not reported by any sources, although Al-Qassam Brigades released a statement at 18.05 claiming they had launched a missile into Ashkelon.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ashkelon (אשקלון), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.666667, 34.566667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

18:05
Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Ashkelon with a missile launch



Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS017

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

نتيف عغسرا, Netiv HaAsara, Israel

Geolocation

31.570833, 34.539444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in declared mortar attacks from Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in Gaza to Israel whilst coming to the aid of Israeli military personnel in Netiv HaAsara, southern Israel on May 12th, 2021, according to local reports.

Gil Timor, the Deputy Chairman of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council, was injured in the shoulder by shrapnel whilst attempting to rescue dead and wounded soldiers from a jeep, said Matan Tzuri, a journalist with Ynet.

The Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigade issued a military statement, which declared its responsibility for the attack on a “Zionist “Defender” jeep near the usurped Netiv Hasara in the northern Gaza Strip.” It reported that the result was “the enemy admitted destroying the jeep, killing two soldiers and wounding others.”

As well as declaring “two dead after Al-Qassam destroyed a Zionist enclave with a Kornet missile,” Al-Qassam also released a statement which declared that they used “21 mortar shells of different calibers” for this attack.  Other sources also reported that two soliders were killed in this attack.

The Times of Israel reported the incident began when Hamas targeted an Israeli military jeep using an anti-tank guided missile killing one soldier and injuring two others. Following the attack mortars targeted the area. Several Arabic-language media sources noted that Mr Timor’s injuries were the result of a mortar.

Itamar Revivo, a colleague of Mr Timor told 13 News: “In the morning we received a warning about a possible event around Zikim, we toured the place and continued to another village, when suddenly we heard a loud explosion and received a report of a vehicle being hit. We started evacuating the wounded, and the place began to be significantly attacked.”

Following the incident a video was posted online bearing the logo of the al-Qassam Brigade which purported to show moment of the strike against the jeep.

The Barzilai Medical Center received four patients following the incident, including the soldiers, according to local journalist Emanuel Fabian.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Gil Timor
Adult male Deputy Chairman of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants
  • Known target
    Israeli military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The Israeli soldier killed in the earlier strike on Netiv HaAsara on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @AlmakdesyMedia)
  • The deputy head of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council, "Gil Timor", was seriously injured during a mortar attack on Netiv Ha'asara (Image posted by SadaMisr via Facebook)
  • The deputy head of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council, "Gil Timor", being treated for a shrapnel wound to the shoulder following strikes on Netiv Ha'asara on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Matan Zori via Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Netiv HaAsara (נתיב העשרה), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.570833, 34.539444. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

10:42
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
{Fight them; God will torment them at your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the hearts of believing people}

Military statement issued by
..::: Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades :::..

Al-Qassam Brigades destroyed a Zionist enclave in the northern Gaza Strip with a Kornet missileصار

With God’s help and guidance, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades declare its responsibility for the following jihadist mission:

Today: Wednesday Date: 30 Ramadan 1442 AH corresponding to 05/12/2021 AD Time: 10:29

Operation: Kornet guided missile attack

The target: a Zionist "Defender" jeep near the usurped Netiv Hasara in the northern Gaza Strip.

Result: the enemy admitted to destroying the jeep, killing two soldiers and wounding others.

This comes within the framework of the "Sword of Jerusalem" battle and in response to the crimes of the occupation against our people in Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank and the occupied interior.

It is a jihad, victory or martyrdom.
Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades - Palestine
Wednesday 30 Ramadan 1442 AH
Corresponding to 05/12/2021AD

10:58
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades

Two dead after Al-Qassam destroyed a Zionist enclave with a Kornet missile
https://alqassam.ps/arabic/news/details/16742


11:05
Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the vicinity of the enclave that they targeted with the Kornet in the northern Gaza Strip with 21 mortar shells of different calibers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants
  • Known target
    Israeli military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS019

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

بئر السبع, Goral Junction near Be’er Sheva, Israel

Geolocation

31.310833, 34.788056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reported injured when a rocket, allegedly fired from Gaza, struck a stretch of road north of the city of Be’er Sheva, southern Israel on May 13th, 2021, according to local reports.

The Time of Israel said the man was treated by the Magen David Adom ambulance service following a rocket strike on the Route 40 highway, close to the Goral Junction.

Ynet reported that a 50-year-old man was found in his vehicle suffering from anxiety and was later taken to hospital. Beer Sheva Net reported the vehicle was hit directly and the man was lightly injured by shrapnel.

Multiple vehicles sustained damage as a result of the incident, according to Haaretz. One driver told Haaretz: “I drove really close to it, I’m lucky that my children weren’t here with me.”

A video was uploaded to twitter by @LocalFocus1 alleging to show the moments immediately after the strike.

The strike reportedly took place in the afternoon.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo uploaded to Beer Sheva Net with the caption: "Following the barrage of missiles on Beersheba, a driver of a vehicle in a light condition from anxiety on Route 40 near the Gurel junction." The images is credited to the Rescue Union spokesperson.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Goral Junction (צומת גורל) being struck near the city of Be’er Sheva (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע‎), for which the coordinates are: 31.310833, 34.788056. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS001

Incident date

May 10, 2021

Location

نير عام, Nir Am, Israel

Geolocation

31.5194125, 34.5743883 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One Israeli civilian was reported injured when a guided missile, allegedly fired from Gaza, struck a vehicle in the town of Nir Am in the western Negev region of southern Israel on May 10th 2021, according to local reports.

Quds 10 said: “A settler was injured and an Israeli vehicle was set on fire by a guided missile in the northern Gaza Strip.”

Al Makdesy Media reported the unnamed 49-year-old man from Sderot was treated for injuries to his face and limbs by the Magen David Adom medical service. He was later transferred to Barzilai Hospital for treatment, according to the source.

A video released on the evening of May 10th 2021 by the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, appeared to show footage of the strike which took place not far from the border with Gaza.

Another video posted to twitter by Matan Tzuri appears to show the aftermath of the strike in which a vehicle can be seen ablaze.

The Palestinian Information Center quoted Hebrew sources as saying the strike was the result of rocket fire.

The strike took place in the evening according to Walla News.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
49 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Documentation of the moment of impact of the anti-tank missile (Photo: Arab Networks, provided by Mariv News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Nir Am (نير عام), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.5194125, 34.5743883. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS033

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel

Geolocation

31.666667, 34.566667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A rocket fired by Al Qassam directly hit a home in Ashkelon, injuring two civilians and causing damage to the building and surrounding area.

Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram post that stated at 12:59 “Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Ashkelon with a missile launch” and added at 13:18 “The enemy admits that a [settler] was injured and a building was damaged after the last Qassam bombing of Ashkelon”.

The injured were reported by multiple sources as a 32 year old male victim who was hit on the head by shrapnel whilst inside the house struck by the missile, and a 26 year old male victim who was moderately injured by shards of glass. Both were reportedly taken to Barzilai Hospital for treatment.

The exact time of the incident was not reported, although an MDA tweet published at 3.21pm local time claimed that ‘following the alarms that were sounded in the last minutes in the Ashkelon sector’ the 26 year old injured civilian was taken to Barzilai Hospital.

The incident occured at approximately 4:21 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by strikes on Ashkelon on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @mL5tf8Rs4role)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Ashkelon on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @mL5tf8Rs4role)
  • Damage caused by strikes on Ashkelon on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @mL5tf8Rs4role)
  • A picture of the house that was hit directly in Ashkelon on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @Lamapal1948)
  • A picture of the house that was hit directly in Ashkelon on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Saleh via Facebook)
  • A picture of the house that was hit directly in Ashkelon on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by Moaz7 via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ashkelon (אשקלון), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.666667, 34.566667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

12:59
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Ashkelon with a missile launch

13:18
The enemy admits that a [settler] was injured and a building was damaged after the last Qassam bombing of Ashkelon

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS016

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel, Israel

Geolocation

31.666667, 34.566667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A building sustained damage and dozens of injuries were reported, including up to 7 children, due to alleged Hamas rockets fired from Gaza at a hospital in the city of Ashkelon on May 12th, 2021, according to media reports.

Haartz reported that 19 people were treated for injuries at Barzilai Hospital due to rocket strikes within the city. It was unclear how many of these injuries were linked to the strike in question. In total 35 people were treated at the hospital (including seven children) according to Haaretz, 16 injuries were related to incidents that took place outside the city.

Multiple Arabic language sources, including @OMN_4 and @alosbou, put the toll of injured at 26.

On May 12th Al Mayadeen reported that the Al Quds Brigade, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, had released a statement saying it had targeted cities and towns including Ashkelon with dozens of heavy rocket salvos. Al Mayadeen reported that prior to the targeting of these areas the group had announced that it would surprise the settlements with a red night at 9 pm.

TRT Arabic was the first outlet to publish images from the scene of the strike at 9:57 PM local time.

The incident was first reported on May 12, 2021 at 9:57 pm by .

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    19–26
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Damage to buildings from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search through debris from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search through buildings from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search through debris from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search buildings following shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Rescue workers search homes following shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Rescue workers treat the wounded following shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a building being struck in the city of Ashkelon (אשקלון), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.666667, 34.566667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

19:05
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
21:00 Al-Qassam Brigades again launched a missile strike on Ashdod and Ashkelon with dozens of missiles.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    19–26
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS018

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel

Geolocation

31.666667, 34.566667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several rockets fired allegedly by Al-Qassam Brigades hit the Israeli city of Ashkelon, according to multiple sources, injuring at least two civilians.

One rocket directly hit and penetrated the lower floors of a seven story building. An unnamed adult male victim, reported by different sources to be either 57 or 60, was seriously injured in the attack, sustaining a shrapnel wound to his stomach. Several sources indicated that he was a resident of the stricken building.

According to Haaretz, a 90 year old civilian also reportedly sustained a light injury to their head, which Ashkelonim News reported happened on their way to a bomb shelter or protected area, though it was unclear if this preceded or was during the event itself.

Both of the injured were taken to Barzilai hospital, where the seriously injured man received surgery. Arabic RT news reported that the Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed that they had launched multiple rockets towards Ashkelon on this date. Reports suggested that as many as 168 rockets were fired at the city that day.

Whilst a number of sources claimed the incident occurred Thursday evening, one claimed it occurred just after 2pm.

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • 'The Hebrew media describes it as the "black night" of the city. #Watch Al-Qassam Brigades fire about 150 missiles at Ashkelon tonight in response to the aggression'
  • A man shows the damage to a room caused by a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkalon, May 13th 2021 (Image via YNET)
  • Damage to the inside of a residential building hit by a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkalon, May 13th 2021 (Image via YNET)
  • The residential building reported to have been hit by a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkalon, May 13th 2021 (Image via YNET)
  • 'This is what direct damage to Ashkelon through security cameras looks like.'
  • Damage to wall and cars from a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkelon on May 13th 2021 (image via Kan-Ashkelon)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the city of Ashkelon (אשקלון). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ashkelon are: 31.666667 34.566667.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS009

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

شارع رامبام ، كوخاف حتصفون ، عسقلان , Rambam St., Kochav Hatzafon, Ashkelon, Israel

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians, including two children, were reported injured when a rocket struck a residential apartment building on Rambam Street in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel at 6am on May 11th, 2021.

Sources differ regarding the number of civilians injured in the attack and the severity of their injuries. Amongst the injured were a family of four.

A 40-year-old man was described as having sustained injuries ranging from moderate to severe. The sources Mariv and Kan Darom said this was the result of a head wound, while Magen David Adom said he sustained cuts to his limbs from broken glass.

A woman, 39, named Marina, was described as having sustained light to moderate injuries. Two children aged 12 and 6, were described as having been lightly injured. A 63-year-old man was described as in a light to moderate condition and an 82-year-old was described as having sustained light injuries. Paramedic Israel Lugsi told the source Kan Darom that “this is a direct hit on a residential building. When we arrived at the scene we conducted searches in the apartments and located a number of wounded who were hit by shattered glass fragments, 2 men were moderately injured and 4 lightly. We took them to ambulances and vehicles to the intensive care unit, provided them with medical treatment that included dressing and stopping bleeding and evacuated them to the hospital when their condition was stable. Two victims of anxiety who suffered from breathing difficulties were also treated and evacuated to the hospital.”

Marina, a resident of Ashkelon whose husband and children were injured, described the attack to WallaNews: “The ceiling collapsed, I saw my husband crawling and all blood. It was six in the morning, there was an alarm and we put the children on mattresses in the hallway. I left the bedroom and my husband did not have enough, there were many explosions.” The strikes also caused the plaster ceiling to fall, injuring the children.

All the patients were transferred to Barzilai Hospital for treatment.

The mayor of Ashkelon, Tomer Glam, arrived at the scene of the fall and talked to the residents, according to Kan Darom. “A difficult morning in Ashkelon due to a heavy barrage of rockets towards the city that cause direct damage to two buildings in the city and to casualties of varying degrees of difficulty,” said Glam. “The security reality in which we live and how important it is to obey the Home Front Command’s guidelines that have been proven to save lives.”

France24 quoted residents as saying “The sirens woke us up around five in the morning (0200 GMT),” said Israeli Shelly Belyaev, whose apartment building was severely damaged and its facade turned black. “We had to hide in the wardrobe because there was no shelter in the house,” she says. Belyaev recalls how “there was a very powerful explosion, I had never heard such a sound before, but I quickly realized that a missile had landed here. I went out and was in shock,” she continued.

Al Qassam posted in their Telegram group “Al-Qassam Brigades is now directing a major missile strike on the occupied city of Ashkelon, in response to targeting the safe house on the heads of its residents west of Gaza City, and if the enemy repeats targeting civilian safe houses, we will make Ashkelon a hell. The enemy admits that 7 of its [settlers] were wounded, and electricity was cut off in large areas as a result of the intensive Qassam bombardment of Ashkelon.”

Images from the scene show extensive damage to at least one apartment as well as other apartments in the building and a vehicle.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Marina
39 years old female injured
Name unknown
40 years old male injured
Name unknown
64 years old male injured
Name unknown
12 years old injured
Name unknown
6 years old injured
Name unknown
82 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: Update on the missile hit Ashkelon area: MDA medics and paramedics provide medical treatment and evacuate 6 injured to Barzilai Hospital, including 2 in moderate condition, a 40-year-old man and a 63-year-old man with shattered glass to their limbs and 4 in mild condition (via @Mdais)
  • Image reportedly showing the inside of an apartment damaged in a rocket attack in the Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11th, 2021 (image via @AviMayer)
  • Image caption: As non-stop barrages of rockets continue to be fired toward southern Israel, an apartment building in Ashkelon was hit. 6 civilians were injured (image via @IDF)
  • Image showing damage to a vehicle shared in relation to the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack on an apartment in Askelon (image via kan-ashkelon)
  • Image showing damage to an apartment shared in relation to the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack on an apartment in Askelon (image via kan-ashkelon)
  • The scene of the incident in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. Photo: MDA Spokeswoman
  • The second house was damaged in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. Photo: Ashkelon Municipality Spokeswoman
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Rescue crews work to put out a car on fire following strikes on Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image taken by Reuters)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an apartment building on Rambam Street (רח’ רמב”ם) in Ashkelon (אשקלון) being struck. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.672725, 34.586305.

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment building on Rambam Street (شارع رامبام) in Ashkelon (عسقلان) being struck.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Street View

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Date taken:
    May 11, 2021

    Imagery:
    Yossi Fartouk

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Date taken:
    May 11, 2021

    Imagery:
    Yossi Fartouk

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    6–8

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

03:38
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades is now directing a major missile strike on the occupied city of Ashkelon, in response to targeting the safe house on the heads of its residents west of Gaza City, and if the enemy repeats targeting civilian safe houses, we will make Ashkelon a hell

04:02
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
#Urgently
Sirens sound in the city of Ashkelon without stopping... and rocket fire continues from the Gaza Strip

04:37
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
The enemy admits that 7 of its [settlers] were wounded, and electricity was cut off in large areas as a result of the intensive Qassam bombardment of Ashkelon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (12) [ collapse]