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

PALIS009

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

شارع رامبام ، كوخاف حتصفون ، عسقلان , Rambam St., Kochav Hatzafon, Ashkelon, Israel

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians, including two children, were reported injured when a rocket struck a residential apartment building on Rambam Street in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel at 6am on May 11th, 2021.

Sources differ regarding the number of civilians injured in the attack and the severity of their injuries. Amongst the injured were a family of four.

A 40-year-old man was described as having sustained injuries ranging from moderate to severe. The sources Mariv and Kan Darom said this was the result of a head wound, while Magen David Adom said he sustained cuts to his limbs from broken glass.

A woman, 39, named Marina, was described as having sustained light to moderate injuries. Two children aged 12 and 6, were described as having been lightly injured. A 63-year-old man was described as in a light to moderate condition and an 82-year-old was described as having sustained light injuries. Paramedic Israel Lugsi told the source Kan Darom that “this is a direct hit on a residential building. When we arrived at the scene we conducted searches in the apartments and located a number of wounded who were hit by shattered glass fragments, 2 men were moderately injured and 4 lightly. We took them to ambulances and vehicles to the intensive care unit, provided them with medical treatment that included dressing and stopping bleeding and evacuated them to the hospital when their condition was stable. Two victims of anxiety who suffered from breathing difficulties were also treated and evacuated to the hospital.”

Marina, a resident of Ashkelon whose husband and children were injured, described the attack to WallaNews: “The ceiling collapsed, I saw my husband crawling and all blood. It was six in the morning, there was an alarm and we put the children on mattresses in the hallway. I left the bedroom and my husband did not have enough, there were many explosions.” The strikes also caused the plaster ceiling to fall, injuring the children.

All the patients were transferred to Barzilai Hospital for treatment.

The mayor of Ashkelon, Tomer Glam, arrived at the scene of the fall and talked to the residents, according to Kan Darom. “A difficult morning in Ashkelon due to a heavy barrage of rockets towards the city that cause direct damage to two buildings in the city and to casualties of varying degrees of difficulty,” said Glam. “The security reality in which we live and how important it is to obey the Home Front Command’s guidelines that have been proven to save lives.”

France24 quoted residents as saying “The sirens woke us up around five in the morning (0200 GMT),” said Israeli Shelly Belyaev, whose apartment building was severely damaged and its facade turned black. “We had to hide in the wardrobe because there was no shelter in the house,” she says. Belyaev recalls how “there was a very powerful explosion, I had never heard such a sound before, but I quickly realized that a missile had landed here. I went out and was in shock,” she continued.

Al Qassam posted in their Telegram group “Al-Qassam Brigades is now directing a major missile strike on the occupied city of Ashkelon, in response to targeting the safe house on the heads of its residents west of Gaza City, and if the enemy repeats targeting civilian safe houses, we will make Ashkelon a hell. The enemy admits that 7 of its [settlers] were wounded, and electricity was cut off in large areas as a result of the intensive Qassam bombardment of Ashkelon.”

Images from the scene show extensive damage to at least one apartment as well as other apartments in the building and a vehicle.

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

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Marina
39 years old female injured
Name unknown
40 years old male injured
Name unknown
64 years old male injured
Name unknown
12 years old injured
Name unknown
6 years old injured
Name unknown
82 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: Update on the missile hit Ashkelon area: MDA medics and paramedics provide medical treatment and evacuate 6 injured to Barzilai Hospital, including 2 in moderate condition, a 40-year-old man and a 63-year-old man with shattered glass to their limbs and 4 in mild condition (via @Mdais)
  • Image reportedly showing the inside of an apartment damaged in a rocket attack in the Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11th, 2021 (image via @AviMayer)
  • Image caption: As non-stop barrages of rockets continue to be fired toward southern Israel, an apartment building in Ashkelon was hit. 6 civilians were injured (image via @IDF)
  • Image showing damage to a vehicle shared in relation to the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack on an apartment in Askelon (image via kan-ashkelon)
  • Image showing damage to an apartment shared in relation to the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack on an apartment in Askelon (image via kan-ashkelon)
  • The scene of the incident in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. Photo: MDA Spokeswoman
  • The second house was damaged in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. Photo: Ashkelon Municipality Spokeswoman
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Rescue crews work to put out a car on fire following strikes on Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image taken by Reuters)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an apartment building on Rambam Street (רח’ רמב”ם) in Ashkelon (אשקלון) being struck. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.672725, 34.586305.

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment building on Rambam Street (شارع رامبام) in Ashkelon (عسقلان) being struck.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Street View

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Date taken:
    May 11, 2021

    Imagery:
    Yossi Fartouk

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Date taken:
    May 11, 2021

    Imagery:
    Yossi Fartouk

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    6–8

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

03:38
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades is now directing a major missile strike on the occupied city of Ashkelon, in response to targeting the safe house on the heads of its residents west of Gaza City, and if the enemy repeats targeting civilian safe houses, we will make Ashkelon a hell

04:02
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
#Urgently
Sirens sound in the city of Ashkelon without stopping... and rocket fire continues from the Gaza Strip

04:37
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
The enemy admits that 7 of its [settlers] were wounded, and electricity was cut off in large areas as a result of the intensive Qassam bombardment of Ashkelon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS011

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

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

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

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

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

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

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Ynet

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

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

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

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

Summary

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

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS010

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel

Geolocation

31.666667, 34.566667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One Israeli civilian was killed and as many as seven injured when alleged Hamas militants fired a rocket struck the city of Ashkelon southern Israel on the 11th May, 2021, according to local reports.

Nella Gurevitz (between 52 and 57 years old) was killed and her husband injured, when a rocket reportedly fired by Hamas struck their apartment according to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israeli media outlet Ynet named Mrs Gurevitz husband as Gregory, and described his injuries as light.

BelarusFeed reported that Nella and her husband were from Belarus and “the mayor’s office also clarified that Nella Gurevich was 57 years old and that the couple immigrated to Israel in 1990. The journalist of the Israel Segodnya newspaper contacted the neighbours of the family, who said that the couple was always friendly with them, but led a rather secluded life, the spouses did not have children. They confirmed that the couple came to Israel from Belarus.”

“I know Nellie as a very sympathetic person, she always tried to support me and other people. We shared interests in music, we both once graduated from a music school. It was a shock for me to find out that she was dead, I will miss her,” said Nella’s friend Anna Litrovnik.

As many as five other people were lightly injured by shrapnel, according to Haaretz.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nella Gurevitz
52 years old female killed
Gregory
male Husband of Nella injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Nella Gurevitz (52) of Ashkelon, was killed in the Hamas rocket attack on Ashkelon May 11, 2021. She was in her apartment together with her husband when a rocket hit her building. (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city Ashkelon (عسقلان), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.666667, 34.566667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

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

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

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

PALIS008

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

Netaim, Israel

Geolocation

31.94537637, 34.77307612 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died whilst taking shelter during a rocket attack allegedly fired by Hamas militants in the village of Neta’im, south of Tel Aviv on May 11th, 2021, according to local reports.

According to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Orly Liron, 52, fell and was subsequently taken to hospital where she died two days later from an aneurysm.

Tal, Orly’s partner, told Ynet: “She was upstairs and I was in the living room. It was announced on TV that an attack on Tel Aviv was beginning. A minute after the alarm went off, I started hearing Barry (the couple’s son) yell at me ‘Daddy, Daddy, I thought it was because he was scared so I went down to them. I opened the door of the emergency room and saw her with a bleeding wound on her forehead.”

Tal added: “She was so looking forward to the coming years, to fill the child’s soul with kindness, love and giving to others. Barry’s role model was taken. A child needs a mother before he needs a father.”

Multiple sources also reported that Orly was a teacher of biology and science at H. Urban School in Tel Aviv for 29 years. Following her death, the high school she worked at released a statement: “We, the Urban God family, hereby announce the passing of Orly Liron, a teacher, educator, wonderful woman, mother of Bari, daughter of Shoshana, sister of Zvika and Nir’s spouse. Orly will forever remain in our hearts.” Her students wrote, “Orly, who taught us, who educated us, who guided us in ceremonies and the rest of her work at school, entered the heart of each and every one of us and will always remain an integral part of the school and the urban community. The teaching staff in these difficult times. ”

The local time of the incident is unknown. Galatz Radio reported that the alarm that alerted Orly and her family was in Moshav Netaim.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Orly Liron
52 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Orly Liron, 52 years old, fell and was subsequently taken to hospital where she died two days later from an aneurysm. (Image posted by Ynet)
  • Orly Liron, 52 years old, fell and was subsequently taken to hospital where she died two days later from an aneurysm. (Image posted by N12)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Netaim (נטעים), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.94537637, 34.77307612.  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
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS007

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

Givat Shmuel, Israel

Geolocation

32.073814, 34.854181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died of a heart attack during a rocket barrage by alleged Hamas militants in Giv’at Shmuel, west of Tel Aviv on May 11th, 2021, according to local reports.

Ron Vered was going for a jog with friends when an air raid alarm sounded shortly after 20:30, reported Ono News. According to the source Mr Vered sought shelter close to a wall where soon after he collapsed.

Staff from the Magen David Adom medical service performed CPR on Mr Vered both at the scene and on the way to the hospital where it was later announced that he had died, according to Ono News.

MDA paramedic Elazar Rubinstein told Ono News that “For about 40 minutes we performed CPR on him and it felt like two or three hours… I felt I was endangering myself, but I felt a mission to save his life. We actually fought him. He was young and we thought there was a good chance he was saved. At one point we decided to be evacuated to the hospital and also on the way there they performed CPR on him non-stop in an intensive care unit. Unfortunately, I was later informed that he had passed away.”

Ono News also added that “at that time, Vered’s wife, Danit, was in a carriage with her daughter near their house and when the first alarm sounded they sought shelter and entered the lobby of the building where they live: “I picked up my daughter from the bus stop and when we were near the house we heard the alarm. We quickly entered the building lobby and waited for relaxation,” says his wife Danish. “We tried several times to call Ron, but he did not answer the phone. After a few attempts, a nurse from Beilinson Hospital answered me and told me to get there. I called my brother and we drove to the hospital.””

Once she learned at the hospital that her husband had died, Danit allowed the nurses to donate his corneas. She told Channel 7 that “He was a pure and clean man, a good soul. He would give everything for others and that is the little thing where we could commemorate him.”

“Vered, a resident of Givat Shmuel for 14 years, has been a member of the Maccabi Ramat Gan Kochav soccer team since the age of 9. For the past two years, he has been involved in the “Hako Gali Gil Ramat Gan” fan group, which was one of its founders. He left behind a wife and two daughters.”

Hakoach Będzin, a Jewish soccer club in Poland, posted a tribute to him: “Today sad news has reached us from Israel. Ron Vered our good friend, football enthusiast, great friend to Hakoach Będzin suffered a heart attack during a missile attack on Israeli territory by Hamas forces supported by Palestinian leaders”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ron Vered
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Ron Vered and his wife Danit. Ron died from a heart attack during strikes on Israel on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ono News)
  • Ron Vered, who died from a heart attack during strikes on Israel on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ono News)
  • Rescue crews trying to resuscitate Ron Vered, who died from a heart attack during strikes on Israel on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ono News)
  • Tribute to Ron posted by Hakoach Będzin, a Jewish soccer club in Poland.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Ramon Park (פארק רמון), within the town of Givat Shmuel (גבעת שמואל), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.073814, 34.854181. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS006

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

اسدود, Ashdod, Israel

Geolocation

31.785006, 34.629761 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Palestinian rocket struck a private home in the city of Ashdod, southern Israel on May 11th, 2021 injuring between two and nine civilians, including a child, according to local reports.

Ashdod Net said rescue workers and staff at the Assuta Hospital attended to nine patients with minor injuries, including one child.

@manniefabian reported that there were “2 light injuries according to initial reports”.

The strike came as part of a wave of rocket attacks against the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. Police announced that two rockets had struck the city of Ashdod according to Emanuel Fabia, a journalist with The Times of Israel. There were reports of as many as 11 casualties reaching hospitals in the city of Ashdod however it was not possible to say which strikes these casualties were attributed to, and so are not included in this assessment.

Ashdod Net uploaded a video from the scene of the alleged strike which showed extensive damage to the interior of a building.

The incident is believed to have taken place in the late afternoon. Various sources alleged that the rocket was launched from the Gaza Strip and by the “resistance”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @aljarmaqnet)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Destruction to a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @manniefabian)
  • Smoke from a home in Ashdod struck by a rocket on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ashdodnet News)

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Ashdod (אשדוד). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these exact coordinates: 31.785006, 34.629761.

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

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @manniefabian

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @aljarmaqnet

  • 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS005

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

حولون, Intersection of Sokolov St. and Kugel St., Holon, Israel

Geolocation

32.0227673, 34.7747835 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as eight to eighteen civilians were injured and at least one civilian was killed by a rocket allegedly fired from Gaza which struck the city of Holon, Central Israel, at around 9pm on May 11th, 2021, according to local media reports.

Mynet reported that the rocket struck next to the line 4 bus injuring four passengers critically. Mako News reported that eight people were evacuated to hospital including a 30 year old woman, 50 year old man, and a 5 year old girl.

Mynet named the girl Orian and reported her twin brother was also injured in the attack.

Mynet also reported that “six people were injured at the scene” but a “total of 18 patients came from the inident, of which 1 was severe in the operating room and 1 severe in the shock room.”

Spartak Zevulun, a local shopkeeper who was outside his store when the rocket struck, gave an interview to Mako News from Wolfson Hospital where he was being treated for chest and back injuries.

France 24 and the Alhurra Post reported that a woman was killed in the bombing.

Sources vary in the number and severity of injuries reported.

France 24 carried an announcement by Hamas that it had launched 130 rockets towards the city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening. Shihab News also posted a video with the caption, “the moment the Al-Qassam, M-M rockets landed in Tel Aviv, and there were casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Orian
5 years old female injured
Twin brother of Orian, name unknown
5 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Spartak Zevulun
Age unknown injured
Name unknown
30 years old female injured
Name unknown
50 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–18
  • 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 (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: Hebrew Channel 12: The location of one of the Qassam Brigades' rockets that hit a bus in Holon, Tel Aviv (image via @PalinfoAr)
  • Image shows damage caused by a rocket attack in Israel's Holon (image via @TRTArabi)
  • Image shows damage to a bus hit by a rocket in Israel's Holon. Up to eight civilians were injured in the attack (image via@TRTArabi)
  • Translated image caption reads: Pictures showing the extent of the losses in Holon, near Tel Aviv, after the fires caused by the rockets of the resistance (image via @TRTArabi)
  • Damage caused by rocket attack in Israeli Holon on May 11th, 2021. Up to eight civilians were injured as a result (image via @TRTArabi)
    Translated caption reads: Further to the sirens heard in Holon: MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating and evacuating 3 injured to the hospital in moderate condition. Among them are a 50 year old man, a 30 year old woman and a 5 year old girl. An update will follow as needed (image via @Mdais)
  • Image shows damage to a bus. Mynet reported that a rocket struck next to the line 4 bus (image via @IsraelArabic)
  • Translated image caption: A missile hits a bus in Holon (image via Faten.Elwan)
  • Damage caused by rocket attack in Israeli Holon on May 11th, 2021. Up to eight civilians were injured as a result (image via @TRTArabi)
    Translated caption reads: Further to the sirens heard in Holon: MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating and evacuating 3 injured to the hospital in moderate condition. Among them are a 50 year old man, a 30 year old woman and a 5 year old girl. An update will follow as needed (image via @Mdais)
  • Translated caption reads: Further to the sirens heard in Holon: MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating and evacuating 3 injured to the hospital in moderate condition. Among them are a 50 year old man, a 30 year old woman and a 5 year old girl. An update will follow as needed (image via @Mdais)
  • Image shows 5-year-old Orian who was injured in the rocket attack on May 11th. 2021 (image via Mynet Holon)
  • The caption says that Orion, who was injured in the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack, is preparing to return home after being in the hospital as a result of a fragment penetrating a carotid artery leading to the brain (image via Forum Holon)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Holon (חולון), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.01034, 34.77918. A video posted by Shihab Post at the time of strike shows Sokolov Street (רח’ סוקולוב), and other reports mention a bus being struck on Kugal Street (רח קוגל). Based on the imagery of the damage and street view images of the area, a possible location of the strike is: 32.0227673, 34.7747835.

  • Reports mention a bus being struck on Kugal Street (קוגל) in Holon (חולון).

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Street View

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Shihab Post

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

18:47
Now, and in implementation of our promise, the Al-Qassam Brigades launched the largest missile strike on Tel Aviv and its suburbs, with 130 missiles, in response to the enemy's targeting of civilian towers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–18
  • 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 (42) [ 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]