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

Incident Code

ISPT0454

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

دير البلح, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

During the night or early morning of Tuesday, October 22nd 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the al-Naouq family home located in the center of the town of Deir Al-Balah, Gaza Strip,  killing 21 identified members of the al-Naouq family, including 14 children and three women, and up to 30 civilians, and wounding at least two civilians. According to the post by Ahmed al-Naouq, American fighter aircraft F16 was used to conduct this strike.

Ahmed al-Naouq, a media officer at the Palestinian Mission in the UK and a graduate student in London, lost around 30 family members in this incident according to his Twitter/X post that gained more than 6 million views. Airwars identified 21 members of his family killed based on Ahmed’s social media posts, including his 14 nephews and nieces. Condolence messages were offered to Ahmed on social media by his colleagues from the Mission, including the Ambassador Husam Zomlot, Rana Abu Ayyash, and Rami Abdu.

In his interview to Associated Press, Ahmed recalled that that night when a blast struck his family’s home while he was in London, more than 2,000 miles away. He told AP that he left a question in his family’s WhatsApp group, “Tell me, how are you guys?”. He then heard from a friend:  “Airstrike. Everyone killed.”

Ahmed told AP in a moving testimony: “I can’t believe this actually happened. Because if I calculate what it means, I will be destroyed.”

On November 15th 2023, Ahmed al-Naouq went to the British Parliament to talk to MPs about the incident in which Israel had killed his family. He asked them to vote for a ceasefire “to end the suffering of his people.”

In comments to AP, Ahmed asked: “Why would they kill children and an old man? What is the military justification for bombing my house? They were all civilians. I wish, one day, I can meet the one who pulled the trigger. I want to ask him: Why did you do it?”

Ahmed al-Naouq also recorded a voice tribute to his 14 nieces and nephews shared on BBC sounds under the title, “All I have now are memories”.

Among the victims of the strike was Ahmed’s 75-year old father, Nasri Salem al-Naouq, his two brothers and three sisters with their fourteen children.

Ahmed’s 36-year-old sister Walaa Nasri Salem al-Naouq was killed alongside her four children –  two sons Raghad Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza (13) and Abdullah Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza (6) and two daughters Islam Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza (12) and Sarah Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza (9).  The Associated Press report described the late Walaa Nasri Salem al-Naouq as “the most accomplished of the al-Naouq children with a degree in engineering.” Ahmed shared his picture with Abdullah and Sarah, adding that “this is Abdullah, when he was a bit younger. To the right is his sister Sarah. She was also killed. Sarah was born during the 2014 war. She endured the blockade and a number of wars since her birth.”

His 35-year-old sister Alaa Nasri Salem al-Naouq (Salman) was killed along with her five children  – daughters Dima Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman (12), Tala Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman (8), Nesma Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman (2), Islam Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman  (13), and a son, Nour El-Din Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman (4). A Facebook user Waseem Salman Abu Ahmed wrote in his tribute that the deceased Alaa was his uncle’s wife and shared numerous images of her smiling small children.

Ahmed’s 33-year old sister Aya Nasri Salem al-Naouq lost her life together with the lives of her three children, sons Mohammed Bashir (12), and Tamin Bashir (6), and daughter Malak Bashir (aged 11 or 12). Malak initially survived the incident and was taken to al-Aqsa hospital with severe burns, but died “after doctors gave her ICU bed to another patient with a better chance of survival.” From a Twitter/X post from Ahmed al-Naouq on October 29th, it appears Malak died nearly a week after the initial strike.

Aya was known for her “wry sense of humour.” According to the AP article, Aya’s home had been previously destroyed and she was staying with the others elsewhere in the central city of Deir al-Balah, south of the area Israel had ordered Palestinians to leave.

Ahmed’s 35-year old brother Muhammad Nasri Salem al-Naouq was killed alongside his son Bakr Muhammad Nasri al-Naouq (11) and a daughter Basemah Muhammad Nasri al-Naouq (9). Ahmed shared an image of the dead body of Bakr, writing that “This is my brother’s firstborn. He was 11 years old.”

Ahmed’s 25-year old brother Mahmoud Nasri Salem al-Naouq was also killed in this incident. Mahmoud al-Naouq worked at a human rights organisation and was preparing to travel to Australia for graduate studies when the war broke out. He was described by his former classmate, a Twitter/X user @Salahdeen Aziz Mattar, as “one of the best young men”. Similarly, Twitter/X user @Anas Mohammed Jnena described Mahmoud as “the loveliest spirit and the most kind and calm person one could ever meet.” In his Facebook post, he further reminisced how Mahmoud had told him how excited he was to pursue his master’s abroad and then get back home and get married. His brother Ahmed shared his image of a smiling young man in glasses.

Among the victims was also Ahmed’s cousin, a 34-year old Ali Hisham Said Al-Quraynaawi, a PhD holder and a lecturer at a university in Gaza. Ahmed wrote in his Twitter/X account that he was killed in Ahmed’s family home and attached an image of a tall young man in a suit.

Initially believed to have been a casualty, Aya’s son, Omar Bashir (3), was later discovered to be alive but injured. Described as “the little angel,” Omar was the sole child who survived the bombing. Ahmed wrote that “Omar is still living under bombardment. Omar is not safe.”

A relative and neighbour of the affected family Ali Al-Naouq detailed his injuries, stating he “suffered a fracture in his left hand along with other injuries” when the al-Naouq house next to his own was bombed, resulting in significant damage to his residence. Additionally, an Associated Press report identified Ahmed al-Naouq’s sister-in-law, Shimaa, as a survivor of the incident, but it is not clear whether she was injured or not.

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 incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (23)

Nasri Salem al-Naouq نصري سالم الناعوق
75 years old male Matched to MoH ID 930025440
Muhammad Nasri Salem al-Naouq محمد نصري سالم الناعوق
35 years old male Matched to MoH ID 802083717
Bakr Muhammad Nasri al-Naouq بكر محمد نصري سالم الناعوق
11 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 433485737
Basemah Muhammad Nasri al-Naouq باسمة محمد نصري سالم الناعوق
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 432938900
Walaa Nasri Salem al-Naouq ولاء نصري سالم الناعوق
36 years old female Matched to MoH ID 800734501
Raghad Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza رغد محمد جمال العزيزة
13 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429971369
Islam Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza اسلام محمد جمال العزيزة
Child female killed
Sarah Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza سارةمحمد جمال العزيزة
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 434453999
Abdullah Muhammad Jamal al-Azayza عبدالله محمد جمال العزيزة
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438220550
Alaa Nasri Salem al-Naouq (Salman) الاء نصري سالم الناعوق
35 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802083709
Dima Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman ديما محمود عبد الكريم سلمان
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430214155
Tala Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman تالا محمود عبد الكريم سلمان
8 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 435191010
Nour El-Din Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman نور الدين محمود عبد الكريم سلمان
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441230919
Nesma Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman نسمة محمود عبد الكريم سلمان
2 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445210016
Islam Mahmoud Abdel Karim Salman إسلام محمود عبد الكريم سلمان
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429971484
Mahmoud Nasri Salem al-Naouq محمود نصري سالم الناعوق
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 403609928
Aya Nasri Salem al-Naouq اية نصري سالم الناعوق
34 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802498782
Omar Bashir عمر
3 years old male injured
Mohammed Yussuf Mohammed Bashir
12 years old male killed
Tamin Yussuf Mohammed Bashir تميم يوسف محمد بشير
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438476491
Malak ملك
11 years old female killed
Ali Hisham al-Qarinawi علي هشام القريناوي
34 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803128255
Ali al-Naouq
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 30
  • (14 children3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Waseem Salman Abu Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Salahdeen Aziz Mattar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Anas Muhammad Janna
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: AP News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: AP News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @bbcworldservice
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @AlnaouqA

Geolocation notes

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

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 30
  • (14 children3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0419

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

خربة العدس , Khirbat Al Adas, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.286310, 34.271887 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and ten civilians were reported killed, including at least one member of the Palestinian Civil Defense and five children, when alleged Israeli missiles struck a Palestinian Civil Defense facility alongside the Dahir family home on October 21st, 2023. A number of other civilians, including Palestinian Civil Defense members, were also injured.

The incident took place near the Khirbet Al-Adas junction, east of Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning.

Muhammad Fawzi Qtait also known as Abu Jazar (father of Jazar) was named as the Palestinian Civil Defense paramedic and firefighter killed in the strike. He was reported to be from Ma’an, Khan Yunis.

In a post from the Dhuhair family, it was reported that eight members of the family were killed including five children. The names were identified as: Ayman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir, Iman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir, Andalus Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir, Aws Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir and another child Elias Anas Muhammad Hamad Dhahir.

Family members named as mourning the victims – though not present during the strike – included grandmother Nabila, Elias’ parents, Anas Dhahir and Hanin Saleh Zorob, and Ayman, Iman, Andalus and Aws’ father Islam Muhammad Hamad Duhair. Aws’ kindergarten, Baraem Al Tofoula Model Kindergarten, made a post announcing his death and expressing their deep sorrow.

The Ministry of the Interior and the Directorate of the Civil Defense in Gaza reported the death of Muhammad Qtait and the injury of at least four other Civil Defense members, while source Adnan Ghanima reported in a tweet that six members were seriously injured. According to Masdar Al Akhbariya, 11 Civil Defense workers were injured and three were in serious condition. A post from the Rafah Municipality reported several deaths and injuries among Civil Defense members and civilians. The casualty range for those injured is therefore put at 4-11.

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.

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

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 (5)

Ayman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir أيمن إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429423221
Iman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir إيمان إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430509919
Andalus Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir أندلس إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 434448718
Aws Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir أوس إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440694404
Elias Anas Muhammad Hamad Dhahir إلياس أنس محمد حمد ضهير
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440596930

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Fawzi Qtait محمد فوزي قطيط
39 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800322224

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (5–8 children1 woman2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–11
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The journalist Adel Al Zaab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tabarbour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adnan Ghanima
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adnan Ghanima
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Mahmoud Brhoum Zaraab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Baraem Al Tofoula Model Kindergarten
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @SerajSat
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Khirbat Al Adas ( خربة العدس ), within the Gaza strip (قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.2863108, 34.271887. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.  

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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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (5–8 children1 woman2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–11
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0417

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

عائلة المطوق, جباليا, Al-Moutawaq family, Jabalia, Beit Hanoun, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

Alleged airstrikes from Israeli military aircraft killed between 23 and 35 civilians, including members of three generations of the Al-Moutawaq family, on Saturday, October 21, 2023, in the middle of the night on Masoud Street and Old Gaza Street in the Tal Al-Zaatar area in the east of Jabalia in Gaza. The number of injured civilians remains unknown.

The lowest casualty report came from Almayadeen News within an hour of the strike, although this number continued to rise with other reports throughout the night. The highest civilian death toll was reported in a post on Twitter/X by Ahmed who reported that more than 34 members of the Al-Moutawaq family had been killed.

23 victims’ names were identified by Airwars. The strike reportedly killed 35-year-old Sheikh Ibrahim Maher Sabri Al-Moutawaq, the imam of the Quba Mosque, who was a widely respected and known figure in the north of Gaza. Ibrahim’s three sisters 39-year-old Kafa Maher Sabri Al-Moutawq, 26-year-old Heba Maher Sabri Al-Moutawq, and Khadra Maher Al-Moutawq were also among those killed.

A 19-year-old girl named Tasneem Saeed Yousef Al-Moutawaq was killed alongside her younger sister and brother, 14-year-old Rawan Saeed Yousef Al-Moutawaq and 12-year-old Yousef Saeed Yousef Al-Moutawaq – as well as another brother, whose age is unknown, called Moatasem Saeed Al-Moutawaq.

Three brothers, 35-year-old Sabri Muhammad Sabri Al-Moutawaq, 30-year-old Ismail Muhammad Sabri Al-Moutawaq and 28-year-old Ahmed Muhammad Sabri Al-Moutawaq were killed alongside their sister 44-year-old Amira Muhammad Sabri Al-Moutawaq. Ismail is possibly the father of a 1-year-old girl called Celine Ismail Muhammed Al-Moutawaq, who was killed in the incident.

Three siblings, an eight-year-old girl called Raneen Abdul Rahman Maher Al-Moutawaq, a six-year-old boy called Hamza Abdul Rahman Maher Al-Moutawq and a three-year-old girl called Maryam Abdul Rahman Maher Al-Moutawaq, were killed.

Another set of young siblings, 9-year-old Zakaria Khabab Muhammed Al-Moutawaq and his 3-year-old sister Enas Khabbab Muhammed Al-Moutawaq, were also killed.

Other family members were also identified but couldn’t have their exact relationships verified. Two male family members called Kholoud Al-Moutawaq and Abdul Muti Yousef Al-Abd Al-Moutawaq (aged 49) were killed. Three female family members 63-year-old Etidal Ali Muhammed Al-Moutawaq, Naima Al-Abd Al-Moutawaq and Afnan Muhammad Al-Moutawaq (Nasr), were also reported killed.

Safa News referred to the incident as having killed Ibrahim and “all his family members.”

Quba Mosque posted a condolence message for their Sheikh, Ibrahim Maher Al-Mutawaq – Abu Maher saying, “We knew him in the prayer niche of the mosque, committed to his imamate, diligent in reciting the Qur’an during prayer, adhering to the Sunnah, following the guidance of the beloved Muhammad….We will miss you in every prayer, every Friday, every visit, and every activity.”

A video posted by @AJArabicnet showed the bodies of the dead and wounded being brought to the hospital, including a wounded infant. Multiple other sources mentioned wounded from the strike but none provided a toll.

Dr. Tariq Suleiman noted that the strike took place at 1:15 am with “American barrels and missiles” that were fired by Israeli planes.

The majority of names of victims identified by sources have been reconciled to the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities published on October 26, 2023, except for Kholoud Al-Moutawaq and Moatasem Saeed Al-Moutawaq.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes 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 at approximately 1:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (23)

Ibrahim Maher Sabri Al-Moutawaq إبراهيم ماهر المطوق
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801876798
Kafa Maher Al-Moutawq كفى ماهر المطوق
39 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 800352791
Heba Maher Al-Moutawq هبة ماهر المطوق
26 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 403241532
Khadra Maher Al-Moutawq خضرة ماهر المطوق
Age unknown female killed
Maryam Abdul Rahman Al-Mutawaq مريم عبد الرحمن المطوق
3 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 443195896
Hamza Abdul Rahman Al-Mutawq حمزة عبد الرحمن المطوق
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438921553
Raneen Abdul Rahman Al-Mutawq رنين عبد الرحمن المطوق
8 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 436029185
Youssef Saeed Al-Mutawq يوسف سعيد المطوق
12 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 432334399
Tasneem Saeed Al-Mutawq تسنيم سعيد المطوق
19 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 420450819
Rawan Saeed Al-Mutawq روان سعيد المطوق
14 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 427442777
Moatasem Saeed Al-Mutawq معتصم سعيد المطوق
Age unknown male killed
Ahmed Muhammed Al-Mutawq أحمد محمد المطوق
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400954731
Amira Mohammed Al-Mutawq أميرة محمد المطوق
44 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 903611978
Ismail Muhammad Sabri Al-Mutawq إسماعيل محمد صبري المطوق
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804424190
Sabri Muhammad Sabri Al-Mutawq صبري محمد صبري المطوق
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801913542
Celine Ismail Al-Mutawq سيلين اسماعيل المطوق
1 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445496565
Enas Khabbab Al-Mutawq إيناس خباب المطوق
3 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 442986410
Zakaria Khabbab Al-Mutawq زكريا خباب المطوق
9 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 434323481
Abdul Muti Yousef Al-Mutawaq عبد المعطي يوسف المطوق
49 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 900336694
Kholoud Al-Mutawq خلود المطوق
Age unknown male killed
Naima Al-Abd Al-Mutawq نعيمة العبد المطوق
24 years old female possible match with MoH ID 405182916 killed Matched to MoH ID 405182916
Afnan Muhammad Al-Mutawq أفنان محمد المطوق
20 years old female Possible match with MoH ID 409311883 killed Matched to MoH ID 409311883
Itidal Ali Al-Mutawq إعتدال علي المطوق
63 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 915846950

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 35
  • (8–13 children5–8 women5–6 men)
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Royanews news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @sabrifarra24
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Qobaamosque
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ameer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ameer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Elham
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu alhareth
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tawfiq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Fathy Hegazy
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Permalink
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Safiruh Al Salam
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Safiruh Al Salam
  • 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.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 35
  • (8–13 children5–8 women5–6 men)
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0418

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

منزل لعائلة النجار بجوار مركز إيواء مدرسة الشيخ جبر غرب محافظة خان يونس جنوبي قطاع غزة, A house for the Al-Najjar family next to the shelter center of Sheikh Jabr School, west of Khan Yunis Governorate, south of the Gaza Strip, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Saturday, October 21, 2023, seven civilians, including two infants, were reported killed and dozens injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the house of the Al-Najjar family next to Sheikh Jabr School in Khan Yunis refugee camp, south of the Gaza Strip.

Among the seven killed were Elham Arafat Ashour (45), her three daughters Janne Hisham Hamouda (infant), Duaa Ahmed Ashour (23), and Baraa Ahmed Ashour (25), her infant granddaughter (Baraa’s daughter) Watin Yasser Abu Al-Fatiya, as well as Tariq Jamal Shehdeh Abu Ishaq (30) and Ziad Wasfi Abu Awad (41).

Although the exact number of civilians injured hasn’t been confirmed by a second source, @Henno01010 on Twitter/X claimed that “7 were killed and 45 others were injured in an Israeli bombing that targeted the Al-Najjar family’s home”. Additionally, Esraa Ahmed (@esraa_ahmrd) and Shehab News Agency (@ShehabAgency) on Twitter/X shared the photos by photographer Nader N Jarghon that showed four of those injured being taken to and treated at a medical facility, including a young child and a baby. Images posted by MSDR News (MsdrNews) on Facebook also showed a number of injured civilians being taken from ambulances into the medical facility.

A Facebook post from Lama Abuhilal reported that Anas Al-Najjar and his family survived the bombing, but did not specify if they were among the injured. Other sources mention that the Al-Najjar home was hit by the strikes.

Multiple sources pointed out that the Sheikh Jabr School near where the strike occurred is a UNRWA school which is sheltering displaced people.

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.

In cases where sources attributed responsibility for the strike, they held the Israeli military responsible.

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 day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Elham Arafat Ashour إلهام عرفات عاشور
45 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 901468900
Janne Hisham Hamouda جنة هشام حمودة
0.6 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 444465603
Duaa Ahmed Ashour دعاء أحمد عاشور
23 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 406065987
Baraa Ahmed Ashour براءة أحمد عاشور
25 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 403290752
Watin Yasser Abu Al-Fatiya وتين ياسر أبو الفتية
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Tariq Jamal Shehdeh Abu Ishaq طارق جمال شحدة أبو إسحاق
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804683282
Ziad Wasfi Abu Awad زياد وصفي أبو عواد
41 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 909121410

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    45
  • 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
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (22) [ 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: 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: /esraa_ahmrd
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: /esraa_ahmrd
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: /esraa_ahmrd
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adan Alrifai
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Lama.j.abuhilal
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Lama.j.abuhilal
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MsdrNews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MsdrNews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MsdrNews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MsdrNews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MsdrNews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: EuropeanARea
  • 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
    IDP or refugee camp, School, UN facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    45
  • 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
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0420

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

منزل الصحفي  هاني المدهون, home of journalist Hani Al-Madhoun, Gaza strip, Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

At dawn on Saturday, October 21st 2023, the home of Hani Al-Madhoun, a Palestinian journalist who worked for Al-Aqsa TV, was allegedly hit by an Israeli airstrike, killing Hani Al-Madhoun alongside 11 members of his immediate family.

Sources on social media posted the names of the relatives of 59-year old Hani Al-Madhoun, also known as Abu Ibrahim: his wife, 55-year-old Samira Fouad Hassan Al-Madhoun, their sons, 25-year-old Ahmed Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, 23-year-old Fadi Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, 16-year-old Uday Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, 27-year-old Muhammad Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, 29-year-old Sameh Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, and 17-year-old daughter Mennat allah Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun. 27-year-old Nariman Hatem Rabhi Al-Madhoun, the wife of Muhammad Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun, is reported to have also been killed, alongside her sister, 23-year-old Nagham Hatem Rabhi Al-Madhoun. According to available reports, Nagham was married to Sameh, and their children, two-year-old Najwa Sameh Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun and three-year-old Islam Sameh Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun were killed in the same bombing.

Reporting on this event in a post shared on X on October 21st, the Palestinian organization Shehab News Agency announced that the Al-Aqsa Satellite Channel had confirmed the death of Hani Al-Madhoun and his wife, children and grandchildren earlier that morning when their house was reportedly hit by Israeli forces.

Family members and friends posted heartfelt tributes to Hani and his family, expressed their distress at the incident and offered condolences to grieving extended family members.

On October 21st, Facebook user Ameer Halawa shared a series of photographs reportedly showing the aftermath of this strike. One image showed a heavily damaged building and another image showed three children who had been killed. The final photograph showed the body bags of the 12 victims positioned in a line in front of a crowd of praying mourners.

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

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

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 around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun هاني إبراهيم المدهون
59 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 992941831
Samira Fouad Hassan Al-Madhoun سميرة فؤاد حسن المدهون
55 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 909905457
Ahmed Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun أحمد هاني إبراهيم المدهون
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 404277030
Fadi Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun فادي هاني إبراهيم المدهون
23 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 407020528
Mennat allah Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun منة الله هاني إبراهيم المدهون
17 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 422787002
Uday Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun عدي هاني إبراهيم المدهون
16 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 422350249
Muhammad Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun محمد هاني إبراهيم المدهون
27 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 401849351
Nariman Hatem Rabhi Al-Madhoun ناريمان حاتم ربحي المدهون
23 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 406987818
Sameh Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun سامح هاني إبراهيم المدهون
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804773729
Nagham Hatem Rabhi Al-Madhoun نغم حاتم ربحي المدهون
27 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 401250766
Najwa Sameh Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun نجوى سامح هاني إبراهيم المدهون
2 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445465347
Islam Sameh Hani Ibrahim Al-Madhoun إسلام سامح هاني إبراهيم المدهون
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 443127824

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (4 children3 women5 men1 journalist)
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nabd news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @qudsn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @mohamed_mdn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @mohamed_mdn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Mohamedsa2ed1
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @SyriawatanNews
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Anas
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ameer.halawa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ameer.halawa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ameer.halawa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sharif
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamdmdn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohamdmdn
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Elmadhounps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Elmadhounps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Eid
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jscommittee
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um mazen

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (4 children3 women5 men1 journalist)
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0421

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

منزل لعائلة الجخلب في محيط مسجد المتقين بخانيونس جنوب قطاع غزة, al-Jakhlab family home behind al-Muttaqin Mosque in central Khan Yunis, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Saturday morning, 21st October 2023, an alleged Israeli strike hit the al-Jakhlab family home behind al-Muttaqin Mosque in central Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

Initial reportage from Shehab Agency stated that there were “martyrs and wounded” as a result of the alleged strike. A number of sources state there were several injuries as a result of the bombing on the house. Journalist Ahmed Haider al-Azizi tweeted that  “Several injuries arrived at Nasser Hospital as a result of” the alleged bombing.  A video shared by Quds network showed three injured individuals being carried on stretchers into the hospital.

No precise figure for the number of deaths or injuries is given, but a number of sources show images of civilians injured in the strike.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada
  • 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.

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
    Religious Institution
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0422a

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

السلام, Al Salam, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.267908, 34.256552 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the morning of Saturday, 21 October 2023, the al-Shaer family home in the Al-Salam neighborhood of Rafah was hit in an alleged Israeli airstrike, resulting in the deaths of 10 identified members of the family and the injury of others.

A post from Ismail Abu Ahmed identified 10 members of the al-Shaer family who were killed: the father, 53-year-old Muhammad Fathi Nayef al-Shaer, the mother, 48-year-old Nabila Hammad Mahmoud al-Shaer, and their children: 24-year-old Bilal Fathi al-Shaer, 14-year-old Mahmoud Fathi al-Shaer, 15-year-old Lama Fathi al-Shaer, and 29-year-old Lobna Fathi al-Shaer. Lobna’s three children were also killed: 4-year-old Sidra Basel Ramadan al-Shaer, 12-year-old Khalil Basel Ramadan al-Shaer, and 10-year-old Ahmed Basel Ramadan al-Shaer. Another relative of the family, 53-year-old Ebtesam Mohammed Ahmed al-Shaer who was reported to be from Egypt, was also killed in the incident. According to @Mustafa3Ahed, the home that was destroyed belonged to the journalist Firas al-Shaer. Alghad TV News specified that the residence was a “three-storey house” and corresponding images show high levels of destruction.

Family members, such as Hussein Abu Jamal al-Shaer, expressed profound grief, stating, “The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, and we only say what pleases our Lord, and we are saddened by their separation” as he mourned the loss of Uncle Muhammad Abu Firas Al-Shaer, his wife, and their children. The Directorate of Education, Rafah, posted on behalf of the Rafah Basic School B for Boys and bid farewell to the Al-Shaer family members, acknowledging the impact on their school community. They drew specific attention to Lobna Fathi al-Shaer, who served as the deputy of the Parents Council in Rafah. In the post, the Directorate shared “sincere condolences and sympathy to the al-Shaer family.”

A Safa correspondent reported that a number of people were wounded due to the bombing of the al-Shaer family home. No other sources provided additional information about the number of wounded.

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

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

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 (10)

Muhammad Fathi Nayef al-Shaer محمد فتحي نايف الشاعر
53 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 410114474
Nabila Hammad Mahmoud al-Shaer نبيلة حماد محمود الشاعر
48 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 900882507
Bilal Fathi al-Shaer بلال فتحي الشاعر
24 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 404652307
Mahmoud Fathi al-Shaer محمود فتحي الشاعر
14 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429219835
Lama Fathi al-Shaer لما فتحي الشاعر
15 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 424112696
Lobna Fathi al-Shaer لبنى فتحي الشاعر
29 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 400004099
Sidra Basel Ramadan al-Shaer سيدرا باسل رمضان الشاعر
4 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 440875938
Khalil Basel Ramadan al-Shaer خليل باسل رمضان الشاعر
12 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 432380095
Ahmed Basel Ramadan al-Shaer أحمد باسل رمضان الشاعر
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 434068011
Ebtesam Mohammed Ahmed al-Shaer ابتسام محمد احمد الشاعر
53 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 700452527

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (5 children3 women2 men)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussein Abu Jamal Al-Shaer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussein Abu Jamal Al-Shaer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussein Abu Jamal Al-Shaer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussein Abu Jamal Al-Shaer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussein Abu Jamal Al-Shaer
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Basic School B for Boys
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Basic School B for Boys
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Basic School B for Boys
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ismail Abu Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ismail Abu Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ismail Abu Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ismail Abu Ahmed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The poet's family - the official page
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The poet's family - the official page
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Mustafa3Ahed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Mustafa3Ahed
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alghad.tv news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of al Salam (السلام) to the east of Rafah (رفح). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to find boundaries for the neighbourhood and to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for al Salam are: 31.267908, 34.256552.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (5 children3 women2 men)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0422b

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

جوار مستشفى النجار, Vicinity of al Najjar Hospital, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.297044, 34.243538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven members of the Khader family were reportedly killed and at least one other person, a woman, was injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on their home behind Al-Najjar hospital in the Al-Geneina neighbourhood in Rafah, at dawn on October 21st 2023.

Khader family members were killed across three generations. Surviving family member Khalil Khader lost his four children: Ibrahim, aged nine; Amal, aged five; Kenan, aged two-and-a-half; and Rosa, 18 months. His 72 year-old father Ibrahim Shukri Suleiman Khader was also killed, alongside 23 year-old Mona Ibrahim Khader, 29 year-old Samar Abdullah Ali Khader (Al-Atrash) and Samar’s two daughters, Masa, aged two, and Lina, aged four. Initial reports claimed there were nine victims of the airstrike, as they did not account for the death of 33 year-old Louay Ibrahim Khader, husband to Samar and father to their children, who died on 25 October as a result of injuries sustained during the strike, as well as his 30 year-old sister Maysa Ibrahim Khader, whose body was not found until 24 November, on the roof of a neighbour’s house.

Asad Asad shared photos of the bodies of four children at the hospital, draped in white shroud, following the airstrike: “We will not apologize for the ugliness of the scenes! This is what happens in Gaza every moment / The photo is from the Khader family massacre in Rafah at dawn today.”

In a Facebook post, Khalil Khader shared photos of his family, with the caption, “My moons, if I had my hand, I would hide you in my heart, but God’s will is for you to be martyrs.. The meeting place is heaven. May God have mercy on you and forgive you. We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.. Allah suffices me and He is the best disposer of affairs.”

Speaking to the BBC, Khalil recalled the events of the night of the airstrike, as he was working at nearby Al-Najjar hospital as a computer engineer: “A massive bomb exploded (…) my neighbours were coming to the hospital. So I asked ‘Where was the bombing?’ And they told me, ‘It was around your house.’ I had to run to the location to check on the family. I tried calling but no one was answering. And as you can see… the whole house was bombed.” According to the article published on October 31st, in the place of the house “is now a mound of masonry and metal, household objects and some children’s toys. A small drum. A toy piano.”

Khalil added that in 2014, the neighbours’ house was bombed while his wife was pregnant “in her seventh month and almost fell down the stairs from the blast. And I was thinking, how can I bring children into this life? (..) I had a dream for each of my kids. Ibrahim was first in his school and I dreamed about seeing him as a doctor one day. Amal was very creative, she loved drawing. And she used to show me her drawings, and sometimes I would draw with her. Kenan was very playful – everyone loved him. And he used to take care of his little sister. He was always there to protect Rosa, and would say, ‘Don’t touch her, she’s my baby!’ And now they are all gone.” At the time of the interview, Khalil’s wife was being treated in hospital for her injuries sustained in the airstrike, and he was still searching for the body of his sister, Maysa.

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

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes 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 around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (12)

Ibrahim Khalil Ibrahim Khader إبراهيم خليل ابراهيم خضر
9 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 435223094
Amal Khalil Ibrahim Khader آمال خليل ابراهيم خضر
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 440596864
Kenan Khalil Ibrahim Khader كنان خليل ابراهيم خضر
2.5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445246135
Rosa Khalil Ibrahim Khader روزا خليل ابراهيم خضر
1.5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 444819692
Ibrahim Shukri Suleiman Khader إبراهيم شكري سليمان خضر
72 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 929380152
Mona Ibrahim Khader منى ابراهيم خضر
23 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 405939588
Maysa Ibrahim Khader ميساء ابراهيم شكري خضر
30 years old female killed
Louay Ibrahim Khader لينا لؤي ابراهيم خضر
33 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802781187
Samar Abdullah Ali Khader (Al-Atrash) سمر عبدالله علي خضر
29 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 804523090
Lina Louay Ibrahim Khader لينا لؤي ابراهيم خضر
4 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 441212081
Masa Louay Ibrahim Khader ماسا لؤي ابراهيم خضر
2 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 445254816
Wife of Khalil Khader
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (6 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (22) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Jazeera Net
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Suleiman Khader
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Suleiman Khader
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Asad Asad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Abu Asaker
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Abu Asaker
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Abu Asaker
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Abu Asaker
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hisham Abu Asaker
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khalil E. green
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khalil E. green
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khalil E. green
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khalil E. green
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khalil E. green
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khalil E. green
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Shaheen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Shaheen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim Shaheen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Asad Asad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    BBC
  • BBC
  • BBC

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of al Najjar hospital (مستشفى النجار) to the west of Rafah (رفح), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.297044, 34.243538. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (6 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]