Israel and Gaza 2023

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

Incident Code

PALIS027

Incident date

May 17, 2021

Location

اسدود, Ashdod, Israel

Geolocation

31.782817, 34.644450 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A heavy barrage of rockets launched by Al Qassam towards the city of Ashdod injured at least three civilians, directly hitting and significantly damaging a four story residential building, according to several sources. Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the attack.

Whilst most residents of the building were located in the protected stairwell and were therefore unharmed, according to multiple reports three civilians sustained minor injuries from shattered glass and five civilians were treated for symptoms of stress relating to the attack. One source claimed that two of those treated were children however it was unclear from this report whether they were physically injured. No other sources reported that children were physically injured.

A tweet from @Arabi21News put the number of injuries in Ashdod at 12 while @skynewsarabia reported that eight people were injured. However, it is unclear if the five “stress symptoms” were included in these numbers or if these were physically injuries.

Whilst one source claimed there were suspicions of a civilian trapped under rubble, another source stated that this suspicion was later disproved.

Whilst one source put the time of incident at 1.43pm, another source reported the time of the incident to be 1.31pm which was later confirmed by an Al-Qassam Brigades statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

The incident occured at 13:31:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a four story building hit by Palestinian rockets, fired into Ashdod on May 17 2021 (image via @AqsaTVChannel)
  • A Firefighter examines damage to a residential building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired in Ashdod on May 17 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • A Firefighter examines damage to a residential building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired in Ashdod on May 17 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • A soldier from Home Front Command looks at the direct internal damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @SyriawatanNews)
  • Damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @SyriawatanNews)
  • A soldier from Home Front Command looks at the damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @SyriawatanNews)
  • A soldier from Home Front Command stands in front of a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @SyriawatanNews)
  • Damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • External damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • 'Pictures of the effects of the missile strikes from #غزة on the city #أسدود'
  • 'Witness: 8 settlers were injured in a missile attack that targeted a building in the city of #أسدود occupied.'
  • External damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @shehab)
  • A woman carries a laptop outside a building damaged by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @shehab)
  • Damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @shehab)
  • A woman walks through a building damaged by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on the 17 May 2021 (image via @shehab)
  • MDA medics overlook a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on 17 May 2021 (image via @mdais)
  • An MDA medic makes a phone call in front of a building hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashdod on 17 May 2021 (image via @mdais)
  • Two men stand in front of the point where a Palestinian rocket hit a building in Ashkelon on May 17 2021 (image via @OrenZiv1985)
  • Internal damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket in Ashkelon on May 17 2021 (image via OrenZiv1985)
  • Damage to homes caused by rocket strikes on Ashdod on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Ashdodnet)
  • Damage to homes caused by rocket strikes on Ashdod on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Ashdodnet)

Geolocation notes (4) [ 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: 31.782817, 34.644450.

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual evidence from panoramic stitch of source imagery.

    Imagery:
    @AJArabic

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

12 Zionists were wounded and a large number of buildings were damaged in the Qassam bombing that targeted Ashdod and Netivot, followed by the firing of rockets at Kiryat Malachi, the wiretapping base 8200 (Urim), Netivot, and the Hatzrim and Tselem military bases.
This afternoon, the battalions targeted a warship off the coast of Gaza with a missile launch, the Hatzrim air base with a missile launch, Kibbutz "Erez" and the "Mars" military site with a number of mortar shells.
In the early hours of Monday, Ashkelon, "Ofkim", occupied Beersheba and Netivot fired rockets in response to the continued aggression against civilians.
In the last hours of Sunday, Al-Qassam bombed the usurped "Netivot" and the occupation army mobilized near "Zikim" and usurped "Kfar Izza", "Nir Oz", the "Karm Abu Salem" site, the "Sofa" and "Nahal Oz" site, with a number of Mortar shells confirmed casualties in the ranks of the enemy, preceded by the bombing of the usurped "Sderot" with a missile launch.
The continuous Qassam bombing resulted in the Zionist entity inflicting heavy human and economic losses, and led to the killing - so far - of 10 Zionists - including a Zionist officer - while more than 650 others were wounded, in addition to the damage of more than 100 buildings, the destruction of dozens of vehicles and the infliction of significant material damage. Ben Gurion International Airport.

The Qassam response continues (the eighth day) of the Battle of Seif al-Quds..

- 22:17 Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded a crowd of enemy forces near "Nir Am" with a missile launch.

- 21:40 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard the usurped "Sderot" with a missile launch.

- 21:11 Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped "Netivot" with a missile launch.

- 20:34 Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded a crowd of enemy soldiers near "Nir Aam" with mortar shells.

- 19:51 Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped "Nahal Oz" with a missile launch.

- 17:52 Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded the "Ra'im" and "Hatzor" bases with rocket barrages.

17:02 Al-Qassam Brigades bombed Tel Nof air base with a missile launch.

- 16:15 Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded "Yiftach" site with heavy-caliber mortar shells.

- 16:10 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard the usurped "Kfar Azza" with mortar shells.

- 15:00 Al - Qassam Brigades bomb "Kiryat Malachi" Touloul missile.

- 14:35 Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the listening base 8200 (Urim), and renewed shelling of "Netivot" with rockets.

- 14:09 Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the "Sofa" support site with mortar shells.

- 14:06 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard "Netivot" and the "Hatzarim" and "Tselem" military bases with rocket salvoes.

- 13:31 Al-Qassam Brigades launched a missile strike with dozens of missiles at Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheba in response to the enemy's hollow rebellion against our people in the Gaza Strip.

- 13:18 Al-Qassam Brigades target a Zionist barge in the open sea off the shores of Gaza with a missile launch

- 13:15 Al-Qassam Brigades begins a massive missile response in response to the enemy's hollow orgy against our people in the Gaza Strip last night and the continuous aggression against our people

- 12:52 Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded the "Mars" military site with mortar shells

- 13:05 Qassam Brigades bomb "Ansrim" air base Touloul missile

- 12:46 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard Kibbutz "Erez" with mortar shells

- 11:35 Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the "Kissufim" site with a missile launch and a big fire broke out in the place

- 11:05 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Ashkelon with a missile launch in response to the continuous aggression against civilians

- 01:15 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Ashkelon with a missile launch in response to the continuous aggression against civilians.

- 00:45 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard the usurped "Netivot" with a missile launch.

- 00:30 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard the usurper of the Zionist "Ofakim" with a missile launch.

- 00:00 Al-Qassam Brigades bombard occupied Beersheba with a missile launch in response to the continuous aggression against civilians.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS026

Incident date

May 16, 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 Palestinian militants into the Israeli city of Ashkelon caused damage to a number of buildings and cars, physically injuring three civilians including an eight month old child.

Multiple reports state that all those physically injured sustained their injuries whilst seeking shelter from the rockets. This included an eight month old child who sustained minor injuries when their mother fell whilst rushing to a bomb shelter, a 75 year old male who sustained a fracture to his hand and a 71 year old victim. All three were treated at Barzilai Hospital, where several reports state that two civilians aged 19 and 26 were also treated for anxiety in relation to the rocket attack.

Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the attack, publishing in their Telegram channel that “a number of buildings were damaged and a vehicle caught fire after the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon, Ashdod and Beersheba”.

One source claims that a rocket directly penetrated a Synagogue and went through to the Rabbi’s apartment next door. Another source claimed that a rocket hit the roof of a house whilst the occupants, two children and their father, were inside but in their safe room and unharmed.

Two sources report that the incident occurred around midday.

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • 'Synagogue in Ashkelon took at direct hit. The rocket went through the rabbi’s apartment next door.'
  • A soldier from the Israeli Home Front Command descends into a damaged drain next to a car destroyed by Palestinian rockets fired into Ashkelon on May 16 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • A soldier from the Israeli Home Front Command descends into a damaged drain next to a car destroyed by Palestinian rockets fired into Ashkelon on May 16 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • Two soldiers from the Israeli Home Front Command look at a damaged drain and car destroyed by Palestinian rockets fired into Ashkelon on May 16 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • A car destroyed by Palestinian rockets fired into Ashkelon on May 16 2021 (image via @qudsn)
  • 'The effects of the rockets of the #Palestinian_resistance that targeted sites in #Ashkelon #Palestine #Jerusalem #Al-Aqsa Mosque #Gaza Under Bombardment #Sheikh_Jarrah Neighborhood #Palestine_Rising Up #Jerusalem_Rising Up #GazaUnderAttack #PalestineUnderAttack #GenocideinGaza'
  • The damage to a house directly hit by one of the Palestinian rockets fired into Ashkelon on May 16 2021 (image via @haynesdeborah)
  • The damage to the roof of a Synagogue that was directly hit by a Palestinian Rocket fired into Ashkelon on May 16 2021 (image via @TreyYingst)
  • Damage to the inside of a Synagogue hit by a Palestinian rocket fired into Ashkelon on May 16 2021 (image via Ashkelonim)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן), 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

16 May, 2021
14:03
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades are now launching large rocket salvoes to the areas of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba, Sderot, the Ra’im base, and the 8200 wiretapping base, in response to the heinous massacre against children, women and civilians in Gaza City, and the attack on Sheikh Jarrah’s people and their sympathizers

14:29
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
The enemy admits that a number of buildings were damaged and a vehicle caught fire after the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon, Ashdod and Beersheba

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS024

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

رمات غان, Ramat Gan, Israel

Geolocation

32.081325, 34.818636 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 55-year-old man was killed, and six others wounded when a rocket fired from Gaza struck the Ramat Gan neighbourhood of Tel Aviv in the early afternoon on May 15th, 2021, according to local and international media reports. Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the attack.

The man was named as Gershon Franco by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which added that he was laid to rest at the Yarn cemetery in Petah Tikva.  On May 28th, 2021 Haaretz reported that Mr Franco had died as a result of wounds to his upper body and neck.

Magen David Adom paramedic, Lior Mermelstein, told Walla News: “When we arrived at the scene, we saw destruction and damage to buildings on the street. We went from door to door with large MDA forces and conducted searches in the apartments, in one of which we located a 50-year-old man unconscious. We performed medical tests to give him medical treatment, but after the resuscitation operations he was pronounced dead.” @Mdais also added that the six people who were injured had “light” injuries.

An article by the Dhi Qar Agency describes four holes in the door of Gershon apartment from the shrapnel that resulted in his death. Channel 12 news reported that the man did not have a protected area in his home and was unable to reach a bomb shelter in time.

Haaretz provided information about the victim, Gershon, that he was sick with cancer and was deemed 100% disabled. At one point, his federal allowance was not enough and he was homeless until his friends found him the apartment he was killed in, referred to as a “shack”, which was previously used for storing tools.

Naftali Cohen, Franco’s friend, told Haaretz, “He lived in it only because he didn’t want to sleep on the street. At least he had a shower and a bed – the rest we were able to arrange. He didn’t interest the welfare authorities. He appealed to them a million times. I told him we would go to the Housing Ministry and he said, ‘Naftali, help me. I have no strength to fight.’ No one listened to him.”

The mayor of Ramat Gan, Carmel Shama HaCohen, told Ynet that “if that resident had followed the Home Front Command’s instructions, even though he did not have a security guard in his housing unit, he would have survived.” However, his sister refuted this claim, saying that “He was 100% disabled with many medical problems, including severe leg pain, and they may have prevented him from running to the shelter during the alarm yesterday. No one cared what he was dealing with.”

According to the Jewish News Syndicate “a rocket landed in the middle of an adjacent street, causing serious damage to surrounding storefronts and dozens of apartments. The blast also caused a car parked on the street to go up in flames”. @Istanbultelaviv added that the rocket attack led 48 families to evacuate to hotels.

Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the rocket attack, posting in their Telegram channel at 11:29 that “Al-Qassam Brigades is now launching a missile strike on Tel Aviv with dozens of missiles in response to the Shati refugee camp massacre against women, children and the safe” and by 12:17 posted that “the enemy admits the killing of an occupier, the wounding of others, and the infliction of great damage in the recent Qassam bombing of Tel Aviv”.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Gershon Franco
55 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (37) [ collapse]

  • Translated caption reads: This is what the rockets did, and the attack in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv today (via @ShehabAgency)
  • Image shows damage caused by a rocket attack on May 15th, 2021. A man died in the incident (image via @ShehabAgency)
  • A man was killed in the Ramat Gan neighbourhood of Tel Aviv after a rocket struck the area. Image shows some of the damage (image via @ShehabAgency)
  • Image shared in relation to the May 15th, 2021 rocket attack in a Tel Aviv neighbourhood (image via @MohamdNashwan)
  • Rocket attack caused damage in a Tel Aviv neighbourhood. A 55-year-old man identified as Gershon Franco was killed and six others injured (image via @MohamdNashwan)
  • Fires can be seen in the image which was shared in relation to a rocket attack in an Israeli neighbourhood on May 15th, 2021. The neighbourhood sustained damage as a result, a civilian man was killed and up to six civilians injured (image via @qudsn)
  • Translated caption reads: #Photo of the great damage to an apartment in Ramat Gan due to the rockets and missiles fired from Gaza (image via @PalinfoAr)
  • Image appears to show a body covered in material. Shared in relation to the rocket attack in Ramot Gan on May 15th, 2021 that killed Gershon Franco (image via Walid Mohammed Al Hasan)
  • Image caption reads: Got up to my apartment roof where Israeli media are shooting live scenes of the devastation from the Gaza rocket that slammed into the middle of the street in Ramat Gan, killing a 50-year-old man (image via @JoshMarks78)
  • Image caption reads: You can see the strength of the rocket that hit Ramat Gan killing a 55-year old man. 48 families were evacuated to hotels. The rocket hit in middle of the road (via @Istanbultelaviv)
  • A rocket fired from Gaza struck the Ramat Gan neighbourhood of Tel Aviv in the early afternoon on May 15th, 2021. Image shows some of the damage (image via @Stone_SkyNews)
  • Image from the Ramat Gan neighbourhood where a rocket struck killing a civilian and injuring six others (image via @Stone_SkyNews)
  • Image showing the funeral of Gershon Franco who was killed in a May 15th, 2021 rocket attack in Ramot Gan. Caption reads: Four holes in the wooden door to his flat mark where shrapnel from a Hamas rocket hit Gershon Franco’s home & killed him (image via @patrickkingsley)
  • Image shows damage caused by a rocket attack on May 15th, 2021. A man died in the incident (image via @ShehabAgency)
  • Rockets launched from Gaza struck buildings around Ramat Gan in Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @MohamdNashwan)
  • Rescue crews work to put out fires caused by strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @AlarabyTV)
  • Image appears to show a funeral. Shared in relation to the rocket attack in Ramot Gan on May 15th, 2021 that killed Gershon Franco (image via Walid Mohammed Al Hasan)
  • Rescue crews at the scene of strikes on Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Dhi Qar Agency)
  • MDA medics are responding to rocket which fell in central Israel Ramat Gan which struck a residential area. (Image posted by @Mdais)
  • MDA medics are responding to rocket which fell in central Israel Ramat Gan which struck a residential area. (Image posted by @Mdais)
  • MDA medics are responding to rocket which fell in central Israel Ramat Gan which struck a residential area. (Image posted by @Mdais)
  • Cleaning up damage from rocket that fell on Ramat Gan just outside Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @Stone_SkyNews)
  • Cleaning up damage from rocket that fell on Ramat Gan just outside Tel Aviv on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Walla News)
  • Gershon Franco, in his 50s, was killed in Hamas rocket attacks on Ramat Gan on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Ynet)
  • The "shack" that Gershon Franco lived in when he was killed by shrapnel from a rocket on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by Haaretz)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the Ramat Gan (רמת גן) neighbourhood of Tel Aviv (תל אביב). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 32.081325, 34.818636.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the Ramat Gan (רמת גן) neighbourhood of Tel Aviv (תל אביב).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Image from Google Street view matches those from sources.

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
    6

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

11:29
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades is now launching a missile strike on Tel Aviv with dozens of missiles in response to the Shati refugee camp massacre against women, children and the safe.

11:58
The effects of the Qassam bombing on the Ramat Gan area in Tel Aviv

12:12
Al-Qassam Brigades renews its shelling of Tel Aviv with a missile launch

12:17
The enemy admits the killing of a rapist, the wounding of others, and the infliction of great damage in the recent Qassam bombing of Tel Aviv

Media
from belligerent (2) [ collapse]

  • "The effects of the Qassam bombing on the Ramat Gan area in Tel Aviv" (Image posted by Al Qassam on Telegram)
  • "The effects of the Qassam bombing on the Ramat Gan area in Tel Aviv" (Image posted by Al Qassam on Telegram)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (44) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS025

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

حولون, Holon, Israel

Geolocation

32.015779, 34.787218 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple sources, a 73 year old woman was injured whilst seeking shelter from incoming rockets, reportedly fired by by Palestinian militants into the Israeli city of Holon. The woman was reported to have died two days later from her injuries.

The victim was named by several sources as Hava Vaknin. She fell as a result of the panic caused by the warning siren, sustaining a brain injury and died two days later from her injuries, according to multiple sources.

The time of the incident was not reported by any sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hava Vaknin
73 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Suspected attacker

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Hava Vaknin, 73, who was injured whilst running to a bomb shelter in Holon, and later died from her injuries (image via Eti Aseoo)
  • Hava Vaknin, 73, who was injured whilst running to a bomb shelter in Holon, and later died from her injuries (image via Forum Holon)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Holon (חולון), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.015779, 34.787218. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
  • position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Suspected attacker

Sources (9) [ 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

PALIS022

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

زوهر, بئر السبع, HaZohar street, Israel

Geolocation

31.270747, 34.788859 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A rocket, reportedly fired by the Al-Qassam Brigade, stuck the city of Be’er Sheva, southern Israel on May 13th 2021, leading to conflicting reports of deaths and injuries among Arabic and Hebrew news sources.

Among Arabic media sources, there were reports that as many as 12 people were injured and taken to Barzilai Hospital. Shihab News reported that the rocket, fired by the Al-Qassam Brigade, killed one woman and injured three others. No further information was given with regards to their identities.

Shatat Press reported the strike took place in the Zohar area of the city. Two videos, uploaded to the website Hamal, that purported to show the moments after the strike were described as having been filmed in the Masada Villas area of the city.

The Israeli media outlet, Beersheva Net, said that at 23:37 fire and rescue teams attended the scene of a strike that caused damage to homes and nearby vehicles. A collapsed wall in one of the houses led to fears that there were victims buried under the rubble. However, both Beersheva Net and Mynet reported that following a search of the area no physical injuries were reported.

The incident occured at approximately 11:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention HaZohar Street (רחוב הזוהר), within the Shchuna D North area of Beersheba (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.270747, 34.788859. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention HaZohar Street (רחוב הזוהר), within the Shchuna D North area of Beersheba (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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

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

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]