Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

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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]

Incident Code

PALIS032

Incident date

May 20–21, 2021

Location

بيري, Beeri, Israel

Geolocation

31.423889, 34.489722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was injured in a reported Palestinian rocket attack on the Kibbutz of Be’eri in southern Israel, on May 20th 2021, according to local reports.

The Magon David Adom ambulance service said its staff provided medical care to a 53-year-old man who was transported to hospital in a light condition. Walla News reported the man was injured by shrapnel and gave his age at 59. The rocket struck a printing house in the Eshkol Regional Council, according to Ynet.

The incident occurred in the hours before the start of a ceasefire which came into effect at 02:00, according to Walla News. IDF Spokesman Hedi Zilberman told the source: “In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, we boarded dozens of aircraft into the Gaza Strip at midnight, mainly UAVs and fighter jets, ready to attack dozens of targets.” Mr Zilberman told the source: “We sent a message to Hamas that if there is a significant barrage of fire, we will act. In practice, about 40 rockets were fired. Midnight to 02:00.” According to the spokesperson, 90% of the missiles were aimed at open spaces.

In a post on Facebook, Mohamad Abo Halawah, said the Al-Quds Brigades had released a statement declaring they had targeted the area with several rockets in response to recent enemy attacks. However, we were unable to locate that statement.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
53 years old male 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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Beeri (בארי), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.423889, 34.489722. 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS015

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

سديروت, Sderot, Israel

Geolocation

31.531449, 34.585562 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed and three to seven family members, including a woman and two children, were reported injured when a rocket declared by Hamas’s militant wing allegedly hit a residential street in Sderot, southern Israel on May 12th, 2021, according to local reports.

Ido Avigal, 5, was killed whilst he and his family were taking shelter in a safe room, said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The New York Times reported that a missile hit a building close to his aunt’s home causing a piece of shrapnel to penetrate the room’s thick glass window striking Ido in the stomach.

Paramedics, Aviv Shenor and Yossi Halabi, told Ynet: “When we arrived at the scene, we saw an attack on the fifth floor of a six-story building. No injuries were identified in the building, but in a nearby building on the fourth floor we noticed shrapnel penetrating the window of the house and when we went up to the apartment we saw an unconscious child with shrapnel wounds. We gave him life-saving medical treatment and performed CPR on him, and after urgent treatment, we quickly evacuated him to the hospital while CPR continued.”

The Magen David Adom (MDA) medical service said its staff provided medical care and evacuated seven injured people to Barzilai Hospital. The Jerusalem Post reported that among the injured were Shani Avigal, Ido mother, his six year old sister and five members of the extended family including his six-year-old cousin. Shani Avigal was injured by shrapnel to her upper body and a child was said to be in a stable condition having been treated for shrapnel wounds, according to the MDA.

@PalinfoAr originally reported that only three civilians were injured in the strikes.

On May 26th Shani Avigal told The New York Times Ido had suffered with anxiety since the start of the conflict and did not want to sleep, shower or eat alone, she described her son as caring and loving.

On the May 12th El Watan published an announcement by the group Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades: “In continuation of the response to the assassination of leaders and the targeting of civilian facilities, the Qassam Brigades bombard the Zionist Sderot with 20 missiles.”

Reports of the attack began circulating at approximately 19:45, although the Al-Qassam Brigades released a statement at 18:36 which stated, “in continuation of the response to the assassination of leaders and targeting of civilian facilities, Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped Zionist Sderot with 20 rockets.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ido Avigal
5 years old male killed
Shani Avigal
Adult female injured
Sister of Ido
6 years old female injured
Cousin of Ido
6 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building and fire caused by strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Shrapnel from a missile strike on Sderot penetrated the window of the shelter that Ido was hiding in and killed him on may 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Times of Israel)
  • Damage to a building and fire caused by strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Times of Israel)
  • Ido Avigal, 5, was killed whilst he and his family were taking shelter in a safe room following strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Times of Israel)
  • Damage to a building and fire caused by strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Injuries caused by a rocket fired from Gaza at a house in Sderot Several people, including a child, were injured after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a building in Sderot on Wednesday. Ambulances and officers were on site to provide care for the wounded
  • Rescue workers treat the wounded following strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Alkoufiya News)
  • Students of a school in southern Israel gathered at the home of 6-year-old Ido Avigal, who was killed by a terrorist rocket fired by Hamas last week, and sang the Israeli national anthem “Hatikva” (Hope). (Image posted by Standwithusarabic via Facebook)
  • Statement from @UnitedHatzalah, posted by @samuelsokol
  • Shrapnel from a missile strike on Sderot penetrated the window of the shelter that Ido was hiding in and killed him on may 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Sderot (שדרות ). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down this location to these exact coordinates: 31.531449, 34.585562.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Sderot (שדרות )

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged street view image from 2012 shows the area undeveloped.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audio-material from sources.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

18:32
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
One dead, a number of wounded, and heavy material losses were caused by the rockets fired by the Al-Qassam Brigades on Sderot and Ashkelon.


18:36
In continuation of the response to the assassination of leaders and targeting of civilian facilities, Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped Zionist Sderot with 20 rockets.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS023

Incident date

May 14, 2021

Location

بئر السبع, Beersheba, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A missile fired by alleged Palestinian militants directly hit a house in the Israeli city of Beersheba according to several sources.

Those physically injured included a 78 year old female victim with limb and head injuries, a 50 year old male victim with an injury to his limbs, a 54 year old woman with a facial injury and another female victim in her 70s.

Multiple sources also reported that 19 civilians were taken to Soroka Hospital after the attack due to indirect harm: 16 sustained light injuries whilst running to bomb shelters and three were being treated for shock.

Multiple sources claimed the incident occurred in the evening.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
78 years old female injured
Name unknown
54 years old female injured
Name unknown
50 years old male injured
Name unknown
70-79 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • 'The apartment that was damaged this morning in Be'er Sheva. Photo: Husias Montenegro'
  • Damage to a building in Beersheeba that was hit by a missile reportedly fired by Palestinian Militants (image via Beersheva Mynet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a house being struck in the city of Beersheba (באר שבע) for which the generic coordinates are: 31.258889, 34.799722. 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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

14 May, 2021
21:05
Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Beersheba with a missile launch

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • 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

PALIS011

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel, Israel

Geolocation

31.667186, 34.557510 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women were killed when a Hamas militant rocket struck an apartment building on Sderot David Ben Gurion street in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel on May 11th, 2021, according to several sources.

The Times of Israel said, “the deadly rocket attack directly struck a home where an elderly woman and her caregiver, 32-year-old Soumya Santosh, lived. Santosh was killed while her elderly charge, 80, was hospitalized in serious condition, according to Hebrew media reports”.

On February 6, 2022, the elderly woman injured in the attack, Naomi Perlman, a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor who was seriously wounded at her Ashkelon home by shrapnel, died from her injuries.

According to several sources Santosh from Kerala had been living in Israel for seven years. She was survived by a husband and nine-year-old son.

Mrs Santosh’s brother-in-law told The Week India, “she was talking to her husband Santosh over a video call in the evening when the incident took place. My brother heard a huge sound during the video call. Suddenly the phone got disconnected. Then we immediately contacted fellow Malayalees working there. Thus, we came to know about the incident.”

The Washington Post reported that Naomi Pearlman was a “a Holocaust survivor originally from Poland” and that the blast had caused both of her legs to be amputated. Her son, Shuki, was quoted as saying “She survived the Holocaust, raised a wonderful family. If there was anyone who deserved to be called the ultimate survivor, it was her.”

Jerusalem Post added that Pearlman was being treated at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon for the injuries she sustained in May 2021 and that she is survived by her son, her daughter, Tzipi, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, including one who was born last month. At the time of the shelling, her home did not have a shelter and the closest was a minute’s run away.

The incident was part of a series of rocket strikes on the morning of May 11th.
Channel 12 reported that the rocket shelter was at least a minute’s run away from the woman’s home and the did not manage to reach it in time.

Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed they carried out the strikes that resulted in casualties, posting in their Telegram channel that “A while ago, Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded occupied Ashkelon with a salvo of S40 missiles” and a bit later “The occupation officially acknowledges the killing of 2 of its [settlers] as a result of the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon.”

The incident is believed to have occurred between 05:00 and 13:40 local time.

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

The victims were named as:

Soumya Santosh
32 years old female killed
Naomi Perlman
91 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • This image reportedly shows Sumaya Santosh who died in a strike in Askelon, Israel, on May 11th, 2021 (image via @alqudsnewspaper)
  • Image reportedly showing the son of Soumya Santosh holding a pin of the Israeli and Indian flags at her funeral (image via Asaf Pozailov)
  • Image caption: The damage to the building where the woman who was killed in Ashkelon lived, today the photo (via Ofer Vaknin)
  • Rescue crews helping a victim of the strikes on Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Arabic RT)
  • Rescue crews at a home affected by airstrikes on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Shihab Post)
  • Damage to a home affected by airstrikes in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Damage to a home affected by airstrikes in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Damage to a home affected by airstrikes in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • A heavily damaged house is pictured at a targeted residential neighbourhood in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11, 2021, as rockets are fired by the Hamas movement from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. - Rockets fired from Gaza killed two women in the southern Israeli city of Asheklon, the Magen David Adom emergency service told AFP, after Palestinians militants unleashed a massive barrage. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
  • Israeli security forces at the scene where a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a house in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, on May 11, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90
  • A heavily damaged house is pictured at a targeted residential neighbourhood in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11, 2021, as rockets are fired by the Hamas movement from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. - Rockets fired from Gaza killed two women in the southern Israeli city of Asheklon, the Magen David Adom emergency service told AFP, after Palestinians militants unleashed a massive barrage. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an apartment building being struck in Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these exact coordinates: 31.667186, 34.557510.

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment building being struck in Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Ynet

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

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
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

12:46
A while ago, Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded occupied Ashkelon with a salvo of S40 missiles

12:58
The enemy admits that a building in Ashkelon was hit and several injuries occurred, including serious cases, as a result of the recent Qassamese bombing with Sejil missiles

13:14
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
The occupation officially acknowledges the killing of 2 of its [settlers] as a result of the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT113

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Location

دير البلح, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.418995, 34.349442 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fida Fakhri Al-Qidra, aged between 32-35, was reportedly killed in either an Israeli missile or Palestinian rocket misfire on May 19th 2021 at approximately 4pm, when it hit her house located in the Mazraa area in the centre of Deir Al-Balah.

According to Al Haya News, her husband, Iyad Amin Al-Qudra, and her daughter were also injured in this attack and that they were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for treatment.  The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights also reported that Mr. Al-Qudra’s brother was also injured in this attack, possibly raising the number of those injured to three.

According to The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, the Al-Qidra home was hit by a “missile or rocket” and her death, “according to the Palestinians, are not currently attributed to the IDF, and the Palestinians are still investigating the incident”. It also reported that “the incident was not attributed to the IDF in the reports of the human rights centers.” The human rights centre, Al Mezan described that only a “projectile” hit her house. Other local sources, however, attributed the incident to “Israeli bombing.”

1234infos.com News reported that Ms. Al-Qidra was a mother of five children, two boys and three girls, “and preferred to devote herself to taking care of her family, and lived a difficult economic life.”

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Fida Fakhri Al-Qidra فداء فخري القدرة
32-35 years old female killed
Iyad Al-Qidra اياد القدر
Adult male husband to Ms. Al-Qidra injured
Daughter of Mr. and Ms. Al-Qidra بنت اياد و فداء القدر
Child female injured
Brother to Mr. Al-Qidra خي فداء
male injured

Family members

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Deir Al Balah (دير البلح), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.418995, 34.349442. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS014

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

دهمش‎, Dahmash, Israel

Geolocation

31.943672, 34.849476 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A father and teenage daughter were killed when an alleged Hamas rocket struck the village of Dahmash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021, according to local and international media reports.

Khalil Awad, 52, and Nadin Awad, 16, were killed on Wednesday morning when a rocket fired from Gaza landed close to their home, said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Arafat Ismail, Mr Khalil’s brother, told Ynet that the father and daughter were killed while they, and members of their family, were eating breakfast before dawn as part of the Ramadan fast. Aswat reports that Mrs. Awad and her eldest son and other daughter survived, and were taken to hospital for treatment as a result of the shock.

The status of the predominantly Arab village, which has a population of 1,000 residents, is subject to a relocation scheme. As such the population does not have access to publicly available shelters similar to those found elsewhere in Israel, according to Aswat.

Suzan Awad, the wife and mother of the victims, described the incident to Human Rights Watch: “Our village is totally neglected, and we don’t have basic services and infrastructure such as [bomb] shelters. The two nights before the attack, we didn’t know what to do and where to go. We ran in and out of the house and sometimes we ran into the street to look for shelter but there was no shelter in the area. We didn’t know where to hide…. That night, we couldn’t sleep from the sound of the rockets. The barrage of rockets in the neighbourhood was so heavy and strong and, as always, we didn’t know where to hide ourselves. Many times in this situation, we don’t feel safe staying at home, so we escape outside but without knowing where to go exactly. … That night, Khalil and Nadine were terrified, the sound of the rockets falling were so close, so they decided to leave the house and seek protection outside at the entrance of the house. We live in a ground-floor home with only three steps at the entrance, so they decided to stand at the stairs and stick to the wall. They did that because we always hear that, in this kind of situation, it’s recommended to hide in the stairway, but we do not have a stairway. The only stairs we have are three steps at the entrance. But the rocket fell on the ground outside, next to the entrance where they stood, a few meters from them. It killed them immediately. It also caused huge damage to our house”.

Claims that residents of the village had requested protection prior to the strike were refuted by the Sdot Dan local council, according to Haaretz.

Mrs Awad told Human Rights Watch her husband was “a loving, giving, and modest man” who worked hard to provide for his family. She described her daughter as an outstanding student who dreamt of becoming a doctor. Following the incident the father and daughter were taken to Assaf Harofeh Hospital where they were pronounced dead, reported Almadar.

The Times of Israel described Hamas as being behind the attack.

Aswat reported that shrapnel from the strike caused severe damage to neighboring houses and injured ten heads of sheep. Images from the scene also showed extensive damage to several parked cars.

The incident occurred at approximately 03:00.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khalil Awad
52 years old male killed
Nadin Awad
16 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @AlmakdesyMedia)
  • Image of Nadin Awad, 16, who was killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @Eyad80412605)
  • A car that was struck and one of the victims of the shelling of the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @galebsami)
  • Teddy bear belonging to Nadin Awad, 16, who was killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @ofirgendelman)
  • Rescue crews arrive to take the victims of the shelling of Lod on May 12th to a nearby hospital. (Image posted by Rashid Armosh)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Rescue crews arrive to take the victims of the shelling of Lod on May 12th to a nearby hospital. (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Rescue crews arrive to take the victims of the shelling of Lod on May 12th to a nearby hospital. (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Vehicle fire caused by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by MohamadNageAmara via Facebook)
  • Residents try to put out a vehicle fire caused by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Khatabnasar via Facebook)
  • The tombs of Khalil Awad and NAdine Awad, who were killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Arab48
  • Image of Khalil Awad, 52, who was killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Israel MFA)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Haaretz)
  • A car destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention house being struck in the village of Dahmash (دهمش‎) near the city of Lod (اللد), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.943672, 34.849476. 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
    2
  • (1 child1 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (40) [ collapse]