Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

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

Incident Code

PALIS021

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

قرب اشدود, Shtulim, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Indirect harm incident only.

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

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

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shtulim (שְׁתוּלִים‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.773639, 34.684618. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS035

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

بئر السبع, Beersheva, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Beersheva (באר שבע), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.258889, 34.799722. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS004

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

ريشون لتسيون, Rishon Letzion, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The incident occurred at about 8 p.m.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

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

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @Qudsn_Brk

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

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

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

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS020

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

كريات جات, Zohar near Kiryat Gat, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the moshav of Zohar (צומת גורל) near Kiryat Gat (קרית גת) being struck, for which the coordinates are: 31.593985, 34.691024. Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Causes of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict, Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS030

Incident date

May 19, 2021

Location

سديروت, Sderot, Israel

Geolocation

31.522778, 34.595278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five rockets were fired by Al Qassam into the city of Sderot, injuring at least two civilians on May 19, 2021. Al Qassam confirmed that they had attacked the city of Sderot that day.

The rockets reportedly caused damage to several buildings and cars, according to multiple sources. It was reported that either two or three of the rockets directly hit buildings.

The two civilians were reported injured when one of the rockets hit their house whilst they were in the basement with their family. Those injured were a 65 year old man who sustained minor injuries and a 72 year old man who sustained a head injury. According to two sources the 65 year old was treated at the scene, whilst the 72 year old was taken to Barzilai Hospital. One source also reported that a number of civilians experienced anxiety in relation to the attack.

MDA paramedic Alex Kosinov said: “The wounded man was with his family in the basement of the house that was hit by the RCC. We were told that the force of the hit and the blow fell.”

Whilst the majority of sources reported the weaponry used as rockets, three sources claimed that a rocket propelled grenade was used. Multiple sources reported that the attack caused the electricity to cut out.

No sources reported the time of the incident, although the MDA reported that the injured were treated within the window of 12.00am and 9.55pm.

Al Qassam posted on their Telegram channel at 15:47 and 17:25 that the “Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped “Sderot” with a missile launch” and later posted that “The enemy admits that there were injuries, direct damage to a building, and power outages after the recent Qassam bombing of the usurped “Sderot”.

The incident occured between 1:47 pm and 5:25 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Site where a Palestinian rocket directly penetrated a building in Sderot on May 19 2021 (image via PalastineNow)
  • Damage to a building hit by a Palestinian rocket in Sderot on May 19 2021 (image via Shihab)
  • Car damaged by a Palestinian rocket that hit Sderot on May 19 2021 (image via Shihab)
  • Car damaged by a Palestinian rocket that hit Sderot on May 19 2021 (image via Shihab)
  • A man who appears to be from the Home Front Command shines a torch in front of a building hit by a Palestinian rocket in Sderot on May 19 2021 (image via Srugim)
  • Car damaged by a Palestinian rocket that hit Sderot on May 19 2021 (image via Aqsa)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sderot (שדרות), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.522778, 34.595278 Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    2

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

19 May 2021
17:25
Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped "Sderot" with a missile launch

15:47
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades bombard the usurped "Sderot" with a missile launch

17:34
The enemy admits that there were injuries, direct damage to a building, and power outages after the recent Qassam bombing of the usurped "Sderot"

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS003

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

جفعاتايم , Sheinkin street, Givatayin, Israel

Geolocation

32.07617589, 34.81435355 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six people were injured in a rocket strike reported to have been launched by Hamas in Gaza on May 11th, 2021, to Givatayin, east Tel Aviv according to local reports.

Police told The Times Of Israel that remnants of a rocket which had been intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system hit a house in the suburb of Tel Aviv. @Elizrael tweeted that “a rocket exploded next to my brother’s house in Givatayim (central Israel). He and his neighbors are fine because they are all in the shelter, and the Iron Dome system shot down most of the missiles.”

The Magen David Adom medical service said its staff treated six people for light injuries resulting from broken glass and smoke inhalation. All of those injured in the strike, including a 33-year-old man with shrapnel injuries to his hand, were transferred to Ichilov Hospital for treatment.

@lamessazzam identified five people as being wounded in the rocket fire in Givatayim while @AAhronheim tweeted that four were “lightly” injured.

Galit Bialobopolo told News.in.24: “Around 8:45 pm (Tuesday), the sirens sounded and I heard very close and very loud ‘booms’ one after the other. A rocket landed on the building in front of me” Bialobopolo said, but the blast of the explosion was felt even in his apartment, very damaged, noted an AFP team.

Paldf News identified the strikes as being from “resistance rockets” and @avimayer pointed out that the rockets came from Gaza.

The incident occured at approximately 8:45 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
33 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by rockets fired at Givatayin on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by HebMix via Facebook)
  • Damage caused by rockets fired at Givatayin on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by HebMix via Facebook)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck on Sheinkin street (שיינקין), in Givatayin (גבעתיים). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sheinkin street are: 32.07617589, 34.81435355.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck on Sheinkin street (שיינקין), in Givatayin (גבעתיים).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

The Joint Chamber of the Palestinian Resistance Factions 12.05.2021 00:20:02
“And they thought that their fortresses prevented them from God, so God came to them from whence they did not expect, and they were thrown at them.”
A joint statement issued by:
The common room of the Palestinian resistance factions

The battle of Saif al-Quds continues in defense of our people and our holy sites, and it is a holy battle that continues until the enemy retreats from its aggression. In this regard, we are blaring salutations in the name of the resistance leadership to the families of the martyrs and the wounded. You will not go to waste.
The joint room confirms in the harvest of the second day of the battle of Seif al-Quds that if it bombed the Zionist enemy with more than 300 shells and missiles, the resistance today delivered the largest missile strike in the history of the conflict with the Zionist occupier, especially to the enemy’s sites in Tel Aviv and its suburbs, and the enemy leadership failed while looking To its entity as it burns in anticipation of the resistance’s readiness and level of readiness to defend our people and its sanctities.
The leadership of the joint room salutes all our people in all their places of residence, and specifically mentions our people in the Gaza Strip who are facing the siege and aggression and rally around their resistance in its defense of Jerusalem, and to our people in the occupied areas in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the occupied interior, and calls them to strike the enemy everywhere with what is available They have the capabilities to make the enemy retreat from its actions against our sanctities and our people.

God is greater and victory for the resistance
The common room of the Palestinian resistance factions
Wednesday 30 Ramadan 1442 AH
Corresponding to 05/12/2021AD

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS022

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

زوهر, بئر السبع, HaZohar street, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

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

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS002

Incident date

May 10, 2021

Location

النقب الغربي, Western Negev, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A missile, allegedly fired from Gaza, struck an ambulance injuring the driver in the Western Negev region of Israel on May 10th 2021, according to local reports.

The Magen David Adom medical service, which operates the ambulance, said the vehicle was struck by a rocket whilst traveling to attend to a call. The driver was treated by his colleagues for mild injuries and taken to Soroka Hospital, according to the source.

Israeli media outlet I24 described the munition as an “anti-tank projectile” and reported that the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad had claimed responsibility for the strike.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas had claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was “in retaliation to [Israel’s] crimes and aggression on the holy city and brutality against our people in Sheikh Jarrah and Al Aqsa Mosque.” According to the source a spokesman for the group, Abu Obeida, said it would step up its attacks if Israel ramps up theirs. However, it is unclear if Hamas was specifically referring to this incident as they only referenced targeting Jerusalem.

A video, posted to the Magen David Adom Twitter account, shows one of its vehicles with a broken window. According to the source, the strike took place between the hours of 19:00 and 22:30.

 

The incident occured between 7:00 pm and 10:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an ambulance being struck in the Western Negev (النقب الغربي) area, potentially in vicinity of Beersheba () city where Soroka hospital is located. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Beersheba are: 31.258889, 34.799722.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]