Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

Belligerent
Palestinian Militants
Country
Israel
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

PALIS006

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

اسدود, Ashdod, Israel

Geolocation

31.785006, 34.629761 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Palestinian rocket struck a private home in the city of Ashdod, southern Israel on May 11th, 2021 injuring between two and nine civilians, including a child, according to local reports.

Ashdod Net said rescue workers and staff at the Assuta Hospital attended to nine patients with minor injuries, including one child.

@manniefabian reported that there were “2 light injuries according to initial reports”.

The strike came as part of a wave of rocket attacks against the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. Police announced that two rockets had struck the city of Ashdod according to Emanuel Fabia, a journalist with The Times of Israel. There were reports of as many as 11 casualties reaching hospitals in the city of Ashdod however it was not possible to say which strikes these casualties were attributed to, and so are not included in this assessment.

Ashdod Net uploaded a video from the scene of the alleged strike which showed extensive damage to the interior of a building.

The incident is believed to have taken place in the late afternoon. Various sources alleged that the rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip and by the “resistance”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @aljarmaqnet)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Destruction to a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ashdodnet News)

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Ashdod (אשדוד). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these exact coordinates: 31.785006, 34.629761.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Ashdod (אשדוד).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @manniefabian

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @aljarmaqnet

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

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
    2–9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS034

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

بئر السبع, Beersheba, Israel

Geolocation

31.21501329, 34.81241023 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A rocket struck a factory in an industrial area of Beersheba, Israel on May 20th, 2021 resulting in injuries, according to local reports.

In a video posted by Al Jazeera Arabic several vehicles parked outside the factory were also seen to be damage. Images uploaded by Quds10 show damage to an exterior wall of the factory.

A tweet from Al Jazeera Arabic mentions “injuries caused by rockets falling on the city of Beersheba, launched from the Gaza Strip” but does not identify how many. However, Jerusalem Post reported that all of the rockets that fell on Beersheba hit open areas and no casualties were reported.

Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for rocket fire targeting the area, posting in Telegram “we renewed the bombing of occupied Be’er Sheva with a missile launch for the third time in half an hour”, added later that “the enemy admits that a number of [settlers] were injured in the recent Qassam bombing of Beersheba”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building caused by rockets from Gaza on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a warehouse being struck in the industrial area of Beersheba (بئر السبع). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.21501329, 34.81241023.

  • Tagged street view imagery from Google Earth

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged panoramic stitch from audio-visual sources

    Imagery:
    @AJArabic

  • Reports of the incident mention a warehouse being struck in the industrial area of Beersheba (بئر السبع).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

13:28
Al-Qassam Brigades renews shelling of occupied Beersheba for the third time in half an hour

13:42
The enemy admits that a number of [settlers] were injured in the recent Qassam bombing of Beersheba

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS031

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Location

أوفاكيم, Ofakim, Israel

Geolocation

31.30992556, 34.62417619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was injured when a rocket struck the city of Ofakim, southern Israel on May 19th 2021, according to local reports.

Shihab news agency quoted “Hebrew sources” saying: “A settler was injured in Ofkim after the resistance fired a wave of missiles.”

The Al Qassam Brigade claimed responsibility for the strike, according to Anadolu Agency. “Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurper of the Zionist “Ofkim” with a missile launch” was posted in the Hamas Telegram channel at 18:00 and 18:50 on May 19th.

Kan News reported the rockets struck Ofakim and the nearby city of Be’er Sheva. One rocket was intercepted and three fell in an open area, according to the source.

No further details regarding the identity of the victim were reported.

News of the strike began circulating amongst Arabic media sources at approximately 20:00

The incident occured at approximately 8:00 pm local time.

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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A settler was injured in "Ofkim" after the resistance fired a missile on May 19, 2021. (Image posted by @zaidaltholaia)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ofakim (אופקים), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.30992556, 34.62417619. 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

18:00
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurper of the Zionist "Ofkim" with a missile launch

18:50
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades bombed "Ofkim" with a missile launch

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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS005

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

حولون, Intersection of Sokolov St. and Kugel St., Holon, Israel

Geolocation

32.0227673, 34.7747835 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as eight to eighteen civilians were injured and at least one civilian was killed by a rocket allegedly fired from Gaza which struck the city of Holon, Central Israel, at around 9pm on May 11th, 2021, according to local media reports.

Mynet reported that the rocket struck next to the line 4 bus injuring four passengers critically. Mako News reported that eight people were evacuated to hospital including a 30 year old woman, 50 year old man, and a 5 year old girl.

Mynet named the girl Orian and reported her twin brother was also injured in the attack.

Mynet also reported that “six people were injured at the scene” but a “total of 18 patients came from the inident, of which 1 was severe in the operating room and 1 severe in the shock room.”

Spartak Zevulun, a local shopkeeper who was outside his store when the rocket struck, gave an interview to Mako News from Wolfson Hospital where he was being treated for chest and back injuries.

France 24 and the Alhurra Post reported that a woman was killed in the bombing.

Sources vary in the number and severity of injuries reported.

France 24 carried an announcement by Hamas that it had launched 130 rockets towards the city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening. Shihab News also posted a video with the caption, “the moment the Al-Qassam, M-M rockets landed in Tel Aviv, and there were casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Orian
5 years old female injured
Twin brother of Orian, name unknown
5 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Spartak Zevulun
Age unknown injured
Name unknown
30 years old female injured
Name unknown
50 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–18
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: Hebrew Channel 12: The location of one of the Qassam Brigades' rockets that hit a bus in Holon, Tel Aviv (image via @PalinfoAr)
  • Image shows damage caused by a rocket attack in Israel's Holon (image via @TRTArabi)
  • Image shows damage to a bus hit by a rocket in Israel's Holon. Up to eight civilians were injured in the attack (image via@TRTArabi)
  • Translated image caption reads: Pictures showing the extent of the losses in Holon, near Tel Aviv, after the fires caused by the rockets of the resistance (image via @TRTArabi)
  • Damage caused by rocket attack in Israeli Holon on May 11th, 2021. Up to eight civilians were injured as a result (image via @TRTArabi)
    Translated caption reads: Further to the sirens heard in Holon: MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating and evacuating 3 injured to the hospital in moderate condition. Among them are a 50 year old man, a 30 year old woman and a 5 year old girl. An update will follow as needed (image via @Mdais)
  • Image shows damage to a bus. Mynet reported that a rocket struck next to the line 4 bus (image via @IsraelArabic)
  • Translated image caption: A missile hits a bus in Holon (image via Faten.Elwan)
  • Damage caused by rocket attack in Israeli Holon on May 11th, 2021. Up to eight civilians were injured as a result (image via @TRTArabi)
    Translated caption reads: Further to the sirens heard in Holon: MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating and evacuating 3 injured to the hospital in moderate condition. Among them are a 50 year old man, a 30 year old woman and a 5 year old girl. An update will follow as needed (image via @Mdais)
  • Translated caption reads: Further to the sirens heard in Holon: MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating and evacuating 3 injured to the hospital in moderate condition. Among them are a 50 year old man, a 30 year old woman and a 5 year old girl. An update will follow as needed (image via @Mdais)
  • Image shows 5-year-old Orian who was injured in the rocket attack on May 11th. 2021 (image via Mynet Holon)
  • The caption says that Orion, who was injured in the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack, is preparing to return home after being in the hospital as a result of a fragment penetrating a carotid artery leading to the brain (image via Forum Holon)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Holon (חולון), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.01034, 34.77918. A video posted by Shihab Post at the time of strike shows Sokolov Street (רח’ סוקולוב), and other reports mention a bus being struck on Kugal Street (רח קוגל). Based on the imagery of the damage and street view images of the area, a possible location of the strike is: 32.0227673, 34.7747835.

  • Reports mention a bus being struck on Kugal Street (קוגל) in Holon (חולון).

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Street View

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Shihab Post

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

18:47
Now, and in implementation of our promise, the Al-Qassam Brigades launched the largest missile strike on Tel Aviv and its suburbs, with 130 missiles, in response to the enemy's targeting of civilian towers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–18
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS021

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

قرب اشدود, Shtulim, Israel

Geolocation

31.773639, 34.684618 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local reports, an elderly woman died after sustaining a head injury while running to a protected area in the town of Shtulim near Ashdod, Israel during a reported Hamas rocket attack on May 13th 2021.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs named the woman as 84-year-old Miriam Arie. Reporting of Mrs. Arie’s age varies across other sources.

The Israeli media outlet, Kan Darom, said residents were made aware of an impending strike when an alarm sounded in the town of Shtulim at 22:38, part of the Beer Tuvia Regional Council. Aharon Zeno, a paramedic, told the outlet that members of the victim’s family said her death had been the result of a slip. One source, Kann News, reported that Mrs. Arie fell after colliding with a security guard.

Haaretz said that medics with the Hatzalah medical service tried to resuscitate her at the scene where she was reported to have died shortly after.

One source, @GeneralInspect2 on Twitter, reported that multiple people had been injured as a result of the incident, no further details were provided.

In 2016 Miriam Arie was interviewed by the website Ravdori. In the interview, she describes how she emigrated to Israel from Yemen in 1949 at the age of 13. She also described her family life, saying: “Today I am already a great grandmother, I have nine children, I had another child named Gabriel, he died of epilepsy. I have 26 great grandchildren and 9 grandchildren. I still live in Moshav Shtulim with two of my cousins ​​and Ilan, and raise a large, high-quality farm of cows to produce milk.”

Two sources, Yousri Saied and Avi Mayer, described Hamas as being responsible for the strike.

Indirect harm incident only.

The incident occured at approximately 10:40 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Miriam Arie
84 years old female Miriam Arie immigrated to Israel from Yemen in 1949 at the age of 13 killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Miriam Arieh pictured on the right with a family member (published by Ravdori in 2016, courtesy of family)
  • Miriam Arieh is seen with her husband (published by Ravdori in 2016, courtesy of family)
  • Miriam Arieh is seen with famiy members (published by Ravdori in 2016, courtesy of family)
  • Miriam Arieh is seen with her grandchildren in an immigrant camp (published by Ravdori in 2016, courtesy of family)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shtulim (שְׁתוּלִים‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.773639, 34.684618. 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
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS035

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

بئر السبع, Beersheva, Israel

Geolocation

31.258889, 34.799722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including a child, were injured when a rocket, reportedly fired from Gaza, struck the city of Be’er Sheva, in southern Israel on May 20th 2021, according to multiple reports.

Israel media outlet Behadrei Haredim said the Magen David Adom ambulance service attended to a 50-year-old man, injured to his legs, and a 14-year-old girl who fell whilst making her way to a protected area. Both victims were transported to Soroka Hospital and were said to be in a light condition.

Kan News reported the rocket came as part of a wave of strikes against Be’er Sheva and the nearby city of Ofakim. One rocket was intercepted and three fell in an open area, according to the source.

@AviMayer on Twitter, described Hamas as being responsible for the strikes.

Reports about the incident began to surface at approximately 01:00.

The incident occured at approximately 1:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
14 years old female injured
Name unknown
50 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A number of Israeli settlers were injured while fleeing to shelters in occupied "Beersheba", fearing the rockets of the Palestinian resistance. (Image posted by @RassdNewsN)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Beersheva (באר שבע), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.258889, 34.799722. 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
    Airstrike and/or 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS004

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

ريشون لتسيون, Rishon Letzion, Israel

Geolocation

31.988594, 34.783657 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was killed and another woman died later from a heart attack and others were injured when a Hamas rocket fired from Gaza struck a private home in Rishon Letzion, near Tel Aviv on May 11th, 2021, according to local reports.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs named the primary victim as Leah Yom Tov, 63.

In a Facebook post on May 16th, Moshe Lev Tov (her son), said Mrs Yom Tov’s death had been the result of a direct hit on her home.

A tweet from @AAhronheim identified three others injured in addition to the woman killed while Al-ain News reported on “two serious and moderate injuries in Rishon LeZion”. The Magen David Adom medical service said its staff provided medical treatment to two additional people suffering from anxiety related ailments. it is unclear if these injuries overlap.

The Magen David Adom medical service posted a statement from two of their staff: “Upon our arrival at the scene we were taken to a private house. At the entrance we saw lots of damage. There was a 40 year old woman lying nearby. She was unresponsive and had severe injuries. We performed medical assessments and were forced to pronounce her as deceased”.

On August 12th, 2021, Human Rights Watch published an article examining the circumstances of Leah Yom Tov’ death. In it they included a statement by the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, stating that on the evening of May 11th they (the al-Qassam Brigades) had “directed the largest rocket barrage toward Tel Aviv and its surrounding areas, with 130 rockets, in response to the enemy’s targeting of civilian buildings.” Multiple local sources including Elaph News and Paldf News attributed this rocket to Hamas, but other sources stated that “a missile fell” without specifying the belligerent.

The article also featured a statement from her son, Kfir Yom Tov: “My mother retired two years ago and was flourishing. Her life was filled with everything she loved to do. She was very spiritual and thanked God for each day. She supported peace and saw the positive and good side in every human being. She knew how to connect with others and develop good relations with them. She took care of everyone. She was a very giving person. She was studying natural health and wanted to enhance other people’s lives by advising them on good nutrition and thinking positively about their lives.”

Kfir Yom Tov told Human Rights Watch about his experience of arriving at the scene following the incident, saying: “When I heard the sirens and the sound of the heavy barrage of rockets in the area, I called her to check on her, but she didn’t answer. I drove to her house. The street was closed, and it was full of soldiers, police, and paramedics. It took them a while to identify her and confirm that she had been killed. She was a person of giving, and the emptiness and space she left behind is hard to describe”.

Ynet reported that shortly after the incident a woman who had been interviewed by media crews at the scene suffered a heart attack and died. Walla News named the woman as 76-year-old Ilana Cohen. Her husband Yosef told the outlet that after the explosion IIana had felt unwell and was taken to Assaf Harofeh Hospital where she was pronounced dead at around 2 p.m.

The incident occurred at about 8 p.m.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Leah Yom-Tov
63 years old female killed
Ilana Cohen
76 years old female Heart attack killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a home in Rishon Letzion following strikes on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @Qudsn_Brk)
  • A car suffered damage in Rishon Letzion following strikes on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @hassaneslayeh)
  • Damage from strikes that killed Leah Yom-Tov, pictures right, on May 11th, 2021. (Image posted by Paldf)
  • Damage to a home in Rishon Letzion following strikes on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @maniefabian)
  • Image of Leah Yom-Tov, killed in strikes on Rishon Letzion on May 11th, 2021. (Image posted by @AviMayer)
  • Image of Leah Yom-Tov, killed in strikes on Rishon Letzion on May 11th, 2021. (Image posted by Haaretz)
  • Rocket hit area in Rishon Lezion. Photo: Moti Milrod, posted by Haaretz
  • Image of the family of Leah Yom-Tov, killed in strikes on Rishon Letzion on May 11th, 2021. (Image posted by her son Moshe)
  • The late Ilana Cohen and her husband Yosef (Photo: courtesy of the family, posted by Mynet Rison)
  • Damage to a home in Rishon Letzion following strikes on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Walla News)
  • Image of Leah Yom-Tov, killed in strikes on Rishon Letzion on May 11th, 2021. (Image posted by N12 News)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Rishon Letzion (ראשון לציון). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.988594, 34.783657.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Rishon Letzion (ראשון לציון).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Qudsn_Brk

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

11:14: Al-Qassam Brigades launched the largest missile strike to date on the occupied cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, in response to the enemy's continued targeting of safe houses and resistance men, and the coming is greater, God willing.

11:25: The response continues.. Al-Qassam launches the largest missile strike so far
https://alqassam.ps/arabic/news/details/16732

Abu Obeida, "The Military Spokesman for the Qassam Brigades" 05/11/2021 12:08:51
In a missile strike, the largest of its kind, the Al-Qassam Brigades targeted Ashdod and Ashkelon this afternoon with 137 heavy-caliber missiles within 5 minutes, and we still have a lot in store.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS020

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

كريات جات, Zohar near Kiryat Gat, Israel

Geolocation

31.593985, 34.691024 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as two people were physically injured by a rocket, reportedly fired from Gaza, that struck the village of Zohar, southern Israel on May 13th 2021, according to local reports.

The Times of Israel said the Magen David Adom ambulance service provided assistance to three people in the small community of Zohar near Kiryat Gat. A 60-year-old woman was said to have sustained light injuries from broken glass, a 40-year-old woman was slightly injured whilst she made his way to a bomb shelter, and another woman suffered an acute anxiety attack. Raya News quoted Israeli media outlets saying two of the victims had been injured by shrapnel.

Several Arabic media sources described the strike as taking place within the city of Kiryat Gat and reported a similar number of injuries.

The Unews Press Agency reported the rocket stuck close to a residential home.

No further information was discovered regarding the identity of the victims.

The Times of Israel reported the strike occurred after more than 100 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel.

Reports of the incident began appearing just before 15:00.

The incident occured at approximately 2:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
40 years old female injured
Name unknown
60 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Rescue crews arrive following strikes on Zohar on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @alestiklal)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the moshav of Zohar (צומת גורל) near Kiryat Gat (קרית גת) being struck, for which the coordinates are: 31.593985, 34.691024. 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
    2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]