Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

Belligerent
Israeli Military
Country
Syria
the Gaza Strip
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
581 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

ISPT0303

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

منزل عائلة الجبري في الحي الإماراتي بخانيونس, Al-Jabri family’s home in the Emirati neighborhood in Khan Yunis, Gaza strip, Gaza strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

During the night of Tuesday, October 17th 2023, at least 21 civilians were killed and a number of others were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the home of the al-Jabri family in the Emirat neighborhood, Khan Yunis camp.

CNN News and Safa quoted the Ministry of Interior in Gaza, which said that the bodies of 21 civilians killed in the bombing had arrived at the Nasser Hospital, with a number of injuries that weren’t specified. CNN approached the IDF for a response, and the IDF international spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, said he was “not aware of any strikes specifically in those areas but they could have happened.”

A source on social media, Sufyan Akkad, shared images of the severely damaged building, rescue efforts, the injured trapped beneath the rubble, and bodies of those killed in shrouds. Shehab Agency shared the images of “explosive barrels dropped […] on the al Lamdani and al Jabri families in Khan Yunis camp.” Misbar News “learned from eyewitnesses that some of the targeted people were displaced from the northern Gaza Strip and Gaza City.” Sources did not provide any names or details of the victims, or the number of injuries.

Where sources identified the belligerents, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan al akaad

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0332b

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

The specific time and location of the strike are currently unknown. One source identified the belligerent, attributing the strike to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed J.L.Alsibakhi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed J.L.Alsibakhi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Sager

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @GazaMartyrs

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @GazaMartyrs

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0290

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

جوار مستشفى الكويتي, Vicinity of al Kuwaiti Hospital, Gaza strip, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.503611, 34.450833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Tuesday morning, October 17 2023, between 12 and 28 civilians were reported killed, including at least 2 children, and others were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on a five-storey house behind the al-Kuwaiti hospital in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza.

While one source on social media claimed that there were 12 killed in the strike, media outlets like Shehab Agency and Alray reported on the death of 22 civilians. The Palestinian Information Center stated that 25 civilians had been killed, sharing video footage of the bodies of at least two children killed, one of whom appears to be an infant. Another source on social media, Jarad, shared an image of a middle-aged man in a press vest collapsed in grief. Sana news added that “others were injured” in the bombing, without specifying the number or details of those injured, while the Voice of the Nation newspaper quoted Shehab Agency and the Ministry of the Interior in Gaza as updating the death toll to 28 killed, alleging that: “While pressuring the residents of northern Gaza to move towards the south, Israel is intensifying its bombing of various areas of southern Gaza.”

Airwars will update the assessment if further details on the victims identities become available.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 28
  • (2 children)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jarad Jarad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of al Kuwaiti hospital (مسجد بلال بن رباح) in Rafah (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.503611, 34.450833. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 28
  • (2 children)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0293

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

الشيخ رضوان, Sheikh Radwan, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

When sources identified a belligerent, they attributed the strike to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

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

Summary

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

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sultan Karis

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: My Hope in God is Big

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hanan Bu Alnaja

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

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

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[34.46495367638482,31.539409148289934],[34.461966531250454,31.53647858628537],[34.46710270166233,31.532045936469913],[34.46378115311833,31.52944470780632],[34.46524772457377,31.52890896465631],[34.46611195418163,31.52828392709675],[34.46671429602921,31.527792823223294],[34.46894034198823,31.52623020280828],[34.469450974838395,31.52581750826353],[34.4704884752245,31.52648078351578],[34.47171461204414,31.526963162558985],[34.47251631688849,31.527164153091164],[34.473084838695286,31.527304846207002],[34.47393370264774,31.527606330740937],[34.47424023685224,31.527385242177374],[34.47464108927488,31.527706825369037],[34.47544279411824,31.52736514319163],[34.47711694246877,31.528751963093683],[34.476409555841684,31.529133837422236],[34.47702262425156,31.529535808712197],[34.47650387405895,31.530138762402757],[34.47711694246877,31.530621122552887],[34.47697546514334,31.53076181046096],[34.47718768113148,31.531063283835394],[34.47523057813018,31.531605933456092],[34.47313199780436,31.53331425426657],[34.471764383658325,31.53425884176704],[34.47032428918078,31.53518554909624],[34.46803707242043,31.536994289050554],[34.464971730371246,31.539385791417246]],"type":"LineString"}}]}

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0312

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

منزل لعائلة عبد العال في شارع جورج برفح, Abdel-Al family home, George Street, Rafah, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On 17th October, 2023, an alleged Israeli strike reportedly hit the Abdel-Al family home on George Street in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, killing 28 year old Nour El-Din Mahmoud Abdel-Al and injuring others.

A Facebook post by journalist Adel Zourob reported that a deceased person had arrived at the hospital “after the bombing of the Abdel-Al family’s house on George Street.”  The deceased is presumed to be Nour El-Din Mahmoud Abdel-Al. Multiple sources mentioned “injuries” occurring from the strike but did not provide an injury toll.

Several relatives of Nour El-Din Mahmoud Abdel-Al posted condolence messages on Facebook after his death, including cousins Salem Abdallah, Ibrahim Azab and Ayat Mohammed, and an uncle, Om Ibrahim. The posts included a prayer acknowledging Nour as “being provided for” with the Lord. The prayer also included hopes for his family’s patience and comfort.

Another Facebook post by Ansam Yasser, the brother-in-law of Nour El-Din Abdel-Al, included a picture of Nour, and read, “May God have mercy on you, Nour, and give patience to your heart, my sister, my sister’s husband, Nour Abdel-Al, is a martyr”.

Airwars has matched the name of the civilian killed with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023, which explicitly mentions that names on the list are “victims of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip”. Therefore this incident has been graded as a single source claim.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nour El-Din Mahmoud Abdel-Al نور الدين محمود عبد العال
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400887550

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Haitham

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Bebo Bebo

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ansam Yasser

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0291

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

منزل عائلة الجزار برفح جنوب قطاع غزة, Al-Jazzar family’s home in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On October 17th 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the al-Jazzar family house in the al-Tanour area, in east Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, killing up to 12 people, including 11 members of the al-Jazzar family, and injuring 12 others, including three children.

63 year old Zaki Mahmoud al-Jazzar was killed along with his six sons: 38 year old Ahmed Zaki al-Jazzar, 38 year old Mahmoud Zaki al-Jazzar, 27 year old Aziz Zaki al-Jazzar, Jihad Zaki al-Jazzar, 25 year old Saad Zaki al-Jazzar and 39 year old Bilal Zaki al-Jazzar, with his 28 year old wife Noura, and their three children. A friend of the al-Jazzar family, 28 year old Amjad Abu Shalouf was also killed.

Eman al-Jazzar, a relative of the family posted on Facebook that her aunt’s house “was bombed and its residents were bombed, some of them are martyrs, some are wounded, and many are still under the rubble”. Eman al-Jazzar also said one of those killed, Saad Zaki al-Jazzar, had just gotten married in July. Mohanad Obaid also posted a memorial for the al-Jazzar family, saying to Mahmoud Zaki al-Jazzar “Your father is a hero and you are the man of the house after him”.

Abeer Mohamad posted: “Suddenly, there is no such thing as an uncle, cousins, ancestors, and grandchildren, all of them gone, and the house and the memories of the house are gone.” The Facebook post from Abeer Mohamad also stated “May God have mercy on you, Noura, and forgive you. You went and took your husband and your children with you. That’s it. We’ll stop sitting together and drinking coffee on the porch while the kids were at school. You went and the kids went.” This may be referring to Bilal Zaki al-Jazzar, his wife, and his children, which may indicate that his wife’s name was Noura.

Initial reports stated that there were three to four people killed and a number injured or missing. A Facebook post by Mohanad Obaid added that nine members of the al-Jazzar family had been killed in the alleged strike. Numerous other reports state at least six to nine civilians killed as more information on the incident became clear.

Shehab Agency initially reported on 17th October that the number of injured was 12 and the number of martyred as three. However, on 18th October, Safa Agency along with numerous other sources stated more than 10 civilians were killed, and a number were still missing.

In a video that was widely circulated on social media, a young child named Muhammad Abu Luli is seen shaking “after he woke up to an Israeli bombing that targeted the Al-Jazzar family’s home in his neighborhood in the city of Rafah”. Images show at least three different children being treated for their injuries, including the child Muhammad Abu Luli.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Zaki Mahmoud Al-Jazzar زكي محمود الجزار
63 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 909412033
Bilal Zaki Al-Jazzar بلال زكي الجزار
39 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800170029
Noura Khaled Hassan Al-Jazzaar نورا خالد حسن الجزار
38 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 800207219
Child of Bilal طفل بلال
killed
Child of Bilal طفل بلال
killed
Child of Bilal طفل بلال
killed
Ahmed Zaki Al-Jazzar احمد زكي الجزار
38 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800552325
Mahmoud Zaki Al-Jazzar محمود زكي الجزا
38 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800552333
Abdul Aziz Zaki Al-Jazzar عبد العزيز زكي الجزار
27 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 401087663
Jihad Zaki Al-Jazzar جهاد زكي الجزار
male killed
Saad Zaki Al-Jazzar سعد زكي الجزار
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 404265209
Amjad Abu Shalouf امجد ابو شلوف
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400657573

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (3 children1 woman8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (33) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Adel Zourob Official

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Kingdom’s Voice with Amer Alrojoub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Kingdom’s Voice with Amer Alrojoub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Kingdom’s Voice with Amer Alrojoub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Kingdom’s Voice with Amer Alrojoub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Kingdom’s Voice with Amer Alrojoub

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khaleel Albaz

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Rafaat

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Safa Agency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amin Ismail

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hosam Khalaf

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Al Astal

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Al Astal

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Al Astal

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Al Astal

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Isa Slimah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dina Aljazzar

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abeer Mohamad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 12
  • (3 children1 woman8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0294

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to the Israeli military.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 2:50 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (4–5 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Journalist Abdel Rahman Al Obadale

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Zahia Farahat

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Isam Abu Bisam

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Abu Faysal Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Moath Moh Iprahim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sofyan Alaqqad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Shareef Ouni

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Faysal Majdi Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Faysal Majdi Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rashad Abu Tareq

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Umm Mohammad Barbakh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mostafa Mahmud

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

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

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[34.310547,31.342787],"type":"Point"},"id":0},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.310116481261986,31.34311331454009],[34.310220988891444,31.34301756651638],[34.31026279194373,31.3430532691807],[34.3102912940237,31.343100331763054],[34.31027799305264,31.34313765724238],[34.31019438694929,31.343199325393783],[34.310116481261986,31.34311331454009]]],"type":"Polygon"},"id":1},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.310321696101056,31.34289098459395],[34.31044330497852,31.34280984201513],[34.31054021205293,31.342918573054675],[34.31050030913971,31.342959144305695],[34.31044520511762,31.342981864198777],[34.31038440067823,31.342965635704417],[34.310321696101056,31.34289098459395]]],"type":"Polygon"},"id":2},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.310000572655554,31.34256154552979],[34.310182985971124,31.342443076926756],[34.31025899152061,31.34253233410749],[34.31008797903581,31.342644311177693],[34.310000572655554,31.34256154552979]]],"type":"Polygon"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"D","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.31073060540592,31.342775045514514],[34.31082436258171,31.3427109852844],[34.31087358509944,31.34276903986995],[34.3107868597117,31.342833100060517],[34.31073060540592,31.342775045514514]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}

  • Imagery:
    @BlinxNow

  • Imagery:
    @BlinxNow

  • Imagery:
    @BlinxNow

  • Imagery:
    Mostafa Mahmud

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (4–5 children4 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0295

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

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

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli military. According to numerous local sources, the attack happened without prior warning.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (7 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (29) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Ayman Jarbou

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Doaa Khaled

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Haitham Ali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Canada Kindergarten

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ehsan Amin

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

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

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[34.2366815,31.3075585],[34.2355227,31.31172],[34.2391062,31.312545],[34.2415309,31.31271],[34.2430544,31.3126367],[34.245007,31.3122883],[34.2483974,31.3107851],[34.2473245,31.3088968],[34.2478824,31.3080535],[34.2479253,31.3077235],[34.2482686,31.3073018],[34.2489123,31.3068252],[34.2497706,31.3066235],[34.2506075,31.3066602],[34.2506719,31.3060002],[34.2477751,31.3050285],[34.2455864,31.3047718],[34.2438054,31.3041668],[34.2415309,31.3032501],[34.2398143,31.3016183],[34.2378187,31.3033601],[34.2366815,31.3075585]]]}}]}

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 10
  • (7 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]