Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

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Incident Code

ISPT0467

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

منزل لآل أبو عيادة بتل السلطان برفح, Abu Iyada’s family home in Tal al-Sultan, Western Rafah, the Gaza Strip, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On Sunday, October 22nd, 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the Abu Iyada family home in Tal al-Sultan, the Saudi neighborhood located west of Rafah in the Gaza Strip, reportedly killing 16 civilians spanning two generations, and injuring others.

Among those killed were 47-year old Adel Abu Iyada and his two sons, 18-year old Ahmed Adel Abu Iyada and 14-year old Alaa Adel Abu Iyada. Also killed in the strike were 47-year old Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Iyada, his daughter, 5-year old Habiba Muhammad Abu Iyada, and his two sons,12-year old Abdullah Muhammad Abu Iyada and 2-year old Malik Muhammad Abu Iyada. 29-year old Azmi Mahmoud Abu Iyada was killed along with his heavily-pregnant wife, Jihan Bassam al-Maghari, and their son, 4-year old Zain Azmi Abu Iyada. In addition, Essam Mahmoud Abu Iyada, his wife, 39-year old Sabreen Muhammad Abu Iyada, and their daughter, 14-year old Menna Essam Abu Iyada were killed. Sobhiya Abu Iyada and her infant daughter, Mervat Abu Iyada were killed, as was the child of Muhammad al-Saifan and Kamal Abu Iyada, 14-year old Fathi Muhammad al-Saifan.

Condolence messages alongside pictures honouring Adel Abu Iyada and his family were posted on Facebook by various relatives and acquaintances, including Majd Aram Abu Al-Joud, Bassam Falcon (Jihan Bassam’s brother), Rawya Ismail (Fathi’s cousin), and Majd Aram Abu Al-Joud (Azmi’s friend and Jihan’s brother-in-law). Fouad Al-Sufi Abu Fadi mourned the loss of his “sincere, truthful, and loyal friend,” “brother,” and “lifelong companion” Adel by stating that “his departure broke him.” This message of grief was echoed on another post by Mohammed Omar Abubaid, Adel’s “beloved” friend. Mohammad Saker, Sabreen’s nephew, fondly described his aunt as “affectionate,” while Fathi’s aunt, Ya-hala, also lamented the loss of her “beloved” nephew, expressing that he was “dear to her heart.”

Photos shared of 14-year old Alaa and 14-year old Fathi show smiling boys. One, shared by Facebook user Omar T Alqutai, includes a side-by-side comparison of a grinning Alaa next to a body bag tagged with his name. User Rawya Ismail similarly posted candid and posed pictures of Fathi, along with a final image of him wrapped in a body bag.

Shortly after the bombardment, user @AlQastalps reported that “a number of martyrs and wounded” had arrived at al-Kuwaiti Hospital in Rafah, though no other details were available about the identity of the remaining victims or their condition.

The following day, user @abeeribrahim69 shared a picture capturing an unidentified child from the Abu Iyada family “bidding farewell to his family members after 11 of them were martyred.”

According to a testimony posted on Facebook by Fathi’s aunt, Ya-hala, the house was destroyed “without warning,” and Gaza Days shared images illustrating the devastating aftermath of the bombardment and revealing volunteers retrieving bodies from beneath the rubble.

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

Where possible, 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (16)

Adel Abu Eyada عادل ابو عيادة
47 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803104405
Ahmed Adel Abu Eyada احمد عادل ابو عيادة
18 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 422590695
Alaa Adel Abu Eyada علاء عادل ابو عيادة
14 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424735132
Muhammad Mahmoud Abu Eyada محمد محمود ابو عيادة
47 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 900997560
Abdullah Muhammad Abu Iyada عبد الله محمد ابو عيادة
12 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 431668664
Malik Muhammad Abu Eyada مالك محمد ابو عيادة
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445536410
Habiba Muhammad Abu Eyada حبيبة محمد ابو عيادة
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 440698629
Azmi Mahmoud Abu Eyada عزمي محمود ابو عيادة
29 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804828523
Jihan Bassam Al-Maghari جيهان بسام المغاري
Adult female pregnant killed
Zain Azmi Abu Eyada زين عزمي ابو عيادة
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441290095
Essam Mahmoud Abu Eyada عصام محمود ابو عيادة
Adult male killed
Sabreen Muhammad Abu Eyada صابرين محمد ابو عيادة
39 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 800171704
Menna Essam Abu Eyada منة عصام ابو عيادة
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429417025
Sobhiya Abu Eyada صبحية ابو عيادة
Adult female killed
Mervat Abu Eyada ميرفت ابو عيادة
Child female killed
Fathi Muhammad Al-Saifan فتحي محمد السعيفان
14 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 426292660

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (8–9 children3 women5 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 (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (40) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gaza days

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hassouna Al-Hayeh

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    Source: Hassouna Al-Hayeh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ya-hala Educational

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar T Alqutai

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar T Alqutai

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rawya Ismail

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    Source: Rawya Ismail

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    Source: Rawya Ismail

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    Source: Lausanne Hossam

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    Source: Muhammad Bakri

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    Source: Fouad Al-Sufi Abu Fadi

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    Source: Fouad Al-Sufi Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Fouad Al-Sufi Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Adnan Abu Iyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Omar Abubaid

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Omar Abubaid

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Omar Abubaid

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Omar Abubaid

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Omar Abubaid

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @abeeribrahim69

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Saker

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Saker

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Saker

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Saker

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Saker

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Obaida

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Anas Mohammad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed Omar reserve

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • (8–9 children3 women5 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 (30) [ collapse]

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 infrastructure
    Residential building
  • 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 infrastructure
    Residential building
  • 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

ISPT0455

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

قريب من مقبرة القسام, Vicinity of Al Qassam cemetery, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.450911, 34.393037 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around 7:40 on Sunday morning, October 22nd 2023, a 68-year old Palestinian civilian Hajj Abdul Mohsen Abu al-Rous and his 6-year old grandson Majd Muhammad Abdul Mohsen Abu al-Rous were reportedly killed by an alleged Israeli airstrike on their home, located next to the Al-Qassam cemetery in the Nuseirat refugee camp, west of Rafah, in the Gaza strip.

@Qudspress reported that “planes bombed the homes of the […] Abu al-Rus family […] resulting in a number of martyrs and injuries.” No other sources mentioned injuries, or provided an injury toll.

Relatives of the family took to Facebook to confirm the death of their loved ones. Sami Abu Al-Rous posted a picture of his uncle Abdul Mohsen Abu al-Rous dressed in a suit in his workplace, and expressed his pain. Muhammad Issa Shukani posted on Facebook to mourn the loss of his two family members, attaching a picture of Abdul Mohsen Abu al-Rous and Majd Muhammad Abu al-Rous’ corpses lying on a white cloth. He wrote: “Majd, despite his young age, was martyred while raising his index finger”. Their funeral took place the following day, on Monday 23rd of October 2023 at Jabal Al-Shamali Pier, above Shukani Furniture.

The following day, on Monday 23rd of October 2023, Majd’s father and Abdul Mohsen’s son Abu Anas posted on Facebook expressing his sorrow at the death of his father and son, while also expressing gratitude that the rest of his family members were able to be pulled from the rubble. Two days later, on Wednesday 25th of October 2023, he expressed his pain in a Facebook post, attaching an image of him and his son Majd Muhammad Abu al-Rous, together and both smiling directly at the camera. He wrote “The last picture of me with Majd when he was one of the people of Earth. Majd is gone. May the most generous of us all rise (my beloved father, my role model, the crown of my head, Abu Imad, my son, and the delight of my liver, glory). May their souls rest in peace”.

The incident was further corroborated by local news outlets such as @MadeinGaza and @paltoday_tv.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces. According to the Facebook account “Made in Gaza”, the attack happened without prior warning.

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

The incident occured at approximately 7:40 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Mohsen Abu Al-Rous عبد المحسن ابو الروس
68 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 950785543
Majd Muhammad Abu Al-Rous مجد محمد ابو الروس
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438474322

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sami Abu Al-Rous

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Issa Shukani

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Issa Shukani

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Issa Shukani

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahlm ALfaraneh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahlm ALfaraneh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sami Abu Al-Rous

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @a_sallaj

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Abu Al-Rous

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of Al Qassam cemetery (مقبرة القسام), within Nuseirat camp (النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.450911, 34.393037.Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0457

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

خربة العدس, Khirbet 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

Three members of the Dhahir family were killed and six others were injured by an alleged Israeli strike on their home in the Khirbet al-Adas area in the north of Rafah city, on Sunday, October 22, 2023: father Sami Abdel Khalil Dhahir, his son 18-year-old Khalil Sami Dhahir, as well as 33-year-old Mutair Abdel Salam Dhahir, who was an imam in Al-Amin Muhammad Mosque, were killed.

According to Siham-Haifa Daoud, the strike occurred between the hours of 1 and 7am; two victims were initially reported killed and others remained missing under the rubble. @ShehabAgency initially alleged that there were “six injuries, two of them very serious”, while journalist Adel Zourub reported that there were dozens of injuries, and the number or details of surviving injured persons has not been identified by other sources. A number of victims were taken to Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital.

Mutair Abdel Salam Dhahir was remembered by Taher Al-Nahal in a heartfelt post on Facebook as his “brother, friend, and companion who has memorised the Book of God, the imam of the al-Amin Muhammad Mosque in Khirbet al-Adas, the owner of a kind soul and a beautiful smile.”

Others also took to social media to mourn the victims, including Amir Dhahir, cousin to Mutair and Sami, who posted a picture of Mutair proudly smiling and holding up a certificate, as well as neighbour Muhammad Hassan Abu Eyada and the Dhahir Family Forum, who posted images of the three men from when they were alive. The news agency Al Arabiya posted images of a funeral on Facebook, which was described as the funeral of the victims of three strikes, including the bombing of the Dhahir family home.

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

The identities of Khalil Sami Dhahir and Mutair Abdel Salam Dhahir have been reconciled with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities published on October 26, 2023. Sami Abdel Khalil Dhahir’s name could not be reconciled.

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 between 1:00 am and 7:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Sami Abdel Khalil Dhair سامي عبد الخليل ضهير
Adult male killed
Khalil Sami Dhair خليل سامي ضهير
18 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 421166695
Mutair Abdel Salam Dhahir مطير عبد السلام ضهير
33 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802695486

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dhair Family Forum

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amir Duhair

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amir Duhair

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Amir Duhair

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya Palestine

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Hassan Abu Eyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Hassan Abu Eyada

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Hassan Abu Eyada

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Khirbat Al Adas (خربة العدس) area, north of the city of Rafah (رفح), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.286310, 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

ISPT0456

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

منزل عائلتيّ جابر وأبو القمصان في منطقة العلمي شمال قطاع غزة, the home of Jaber and Abu Al-Qumsan families in the Al-Alami area in the northern Gaza Strip, Jabalia, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

On 22nd October 2023, at least 20 people were killed, 19 of them women and children, and at least 7 others were injured after the home of the Jaber and Abu Al-Qumsan families in the Al-Alami area in the northern Gaza Strip was allegedly struck by an Israeli airstrike.

Mahmoud Hegazy posted the names of 19 members of his family who were reportedly killed in the airstrike. He explained that included in those killed was his dear grandmother Amina Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan (Umm Fayek), and he included in the post a picture of his grandmother Amina smiling at the camera wearing a patterned headscarf. In a separate post by Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail she is referred to as the mother of martyrs and a post by Maher Al Hijazi explains that three of her sons were killed previously: “Ismail Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan, “who died on 12/30/2001,” and the martyr, the leader: Youssef Ahmed Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan, who died on: 11/3/2002” and the martyr leader: Faiq Ahmad Ahmad Abu Al-Qumsan, “who died on: 11/23/2006” [and his son, the martyr Fayez, “who rose on: 12/27/2008].”

Mahmoud Hegazy goes on to add that his uncle’s wife Iman Darwish Abu Al-Qumsan (50) and her four children (Mahmoud’s four cousins) Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan and his sisters Alaa Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan (34), Nour Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan (27) and Walaa Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan (28) were killed. Two other daughters (based on their names), Amina Youssef Ahmad Abu Al-Qumsan and Fatima Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan, were injured in the strike.

Mahmoud’s cousin Ahmed’s wife, Aya Adnan Abu Al-Qumsan (30) and their four children Youssef Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan (9), Obada Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan (6), Iman Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan and Yasmine Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan (11) were also killed in the alleged airstrike and their daughter Hor Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan was injured.

Mahmoud also reported that his uncle’s daughter Samoud Fayek Abu Al-Qumsan (19) and his cousin’s daughter Imad Ismail Abu Al-Qumsan were also killed in the alleged strike.

He added that another cousin, the son of Walaa Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan, named Ezz El-Din Abdel Ezz El-Din Hegazy (Abu Al-Qumsan) was also killed along with the children of Amina Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan (who was injured) Osama Muhammad Osama Muhanna (8) and Youssef Muhammad Osama Muhanna. Amina Youssef’s husband (and the father of Osama and Youssef) named Muhammad Osama Muhanna was injured along with Amina and Muhammad’s daughter Reem Muhammad Osama Muhanna.

Finally he added the children of Alaa Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan – Fayeq Thaer Abu Al-Qumsan, Fayez Thaer Abu Al-Qumsan (8) and Youssef Thaer Abu Al-Qumsan (6) – were also killed in the alleged airstrike. Based on their names, likely their sibling Selin Thaer Fayeq Abu Al-Qumsan was reported as injured.

A post from Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail also identified Ghazal Imad Ismail Abu Al-Qumsan (3), “granddaughter of the martyr Sheikh and Commander Ismail Abu Al-Qumsan,” as among those killed. Sources suggested Ismail Abu Al-Qumsan was killed by Israeli forces during the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in the early 2000s. It appeared he had been a militant, though that was not confirmed.

Shehab Agency tweeted a video of a young girl in a medical facility named Sirine Abu Al-Qumsam who has been injured in the reported strike and is describing to the camera what happened, clearly in distress with injuries to her face.

Initial reports stated that 5 people were killed and 15 injured in the airstrike, and that they were taken to Kamal Adwan Hospital. The Ministry of Interior then reported that 11 people has been killed and a post from Enjoy English put the number of killed at 16.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health posted that the little girl Hor Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan was in the Al-Shifa Medical Complex for treatment of her injuries, and the picture of her shows injury to the side of her face and she is dressed in bright clothes. The post added that she had miraculously survived the alleged airstrike, and that she was the only survivor in her family.

The Palestine Civil Defense posted images of the Civil Defense rescuing the injured from the rubble of the two houses reportedly hit in this airstrike, and one image shed that they are using a digger to get under the rubble because of the scale of damage. The civil defense workers are pictured looking for people in the dark space under the collapsed building. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior added that medical services crew were at the scene, accompanied with pictures, and it is clear from one that a building has been reduced to rubble illustrating that the whole walls have collapsed.

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 a belligerent, all sources attributed the strike to Israeli forces.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (22)

Amina Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan امنة يوسف أبو القمصان
Adult female killed
Iman Darwish Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan ايمان درويش احمد ابو القمصان
50 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 935247817
Alaa Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan الاء يوسف احمد ابو القمصان
34 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802282335
Fayez Thaer Fayek Abu Al-Qumsan فايز ثائر فائق أبو القمصان
8 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 436039812
Fayeq Thaer Abu Al-Qumsan فايق ثائر أبو القمصان
Child killed
Youssef Thaer Fayek Abu Al-Qumsan يوسف ثائر فائق أبو القمصان
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 439059296
Walaa Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan ولاء يوسف احمد ابو القمصان
28 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 400777041
Nour Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan نور يوسف احمد ابو القمصان
27 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 402046734
Ahmed Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan احمد يوسف احمد ابو القمصان
Adult male killed
Aya Adnan Abu Al-Qumsan اية عدنان أبو القمصان
30 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 804346518
Iman Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan ايمان احمد يوسف ابو القمصان
Child female killed
Yasmine Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan ياسمين احمد يوسف ابو القمصان
11 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 432156644
Youssef Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan يوسف احمد يوسف ابو القمصان
9 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440023349
Obadah Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan عبادة احمد يوسف ابو القمصان
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438244766
Somod Fayek Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan صمود فايق احمد ابو القمصان
19 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 420441362
Ghazal Imad Ismail Abu Al-Qumsan غزل عماد إسماعيل أبو القمصان
3 years old female killed
Ezz El-Din Abdel Ezz El-Din Hegazy (Abu Al-Qumsan) عز الدين عبد العز الدين حجازي ابو القمصان
Child male killed
Selin Thaer Fayek Abu Al-Qumsan سيلين ثائر فائق ابو القمصان
Child female injured
Amna Youssef Ahmad Abu Al-Qumsan امنة يوسف احمد أبو القمصان
Adult female injured
Hor Ahmed Youssef Abu Al-Qumsan حور احمد يوسف ابو القمصان
Child female injured
Fatima Youssef Ahmed Abu Al-Qumsan فاطمة يوسف احمد ابو القمصان
female injured
Sirine Abu Al-Qumsan سيرين ابو القمصان
Child female injured

Family members (4)

Osama Muhammad Osama Muhanna اسامة محمد أسامة مهنا
8 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 435917786
Youssef Muhammad Osama Muhanna يوسف محمد اسامة مهنا
Child male killed
Muhammad Osama Muhanna محمد أسامة مهنا
Adult male injured
Reem Muhammad Osama Muhanna ريم محمد اسامة مهنا
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (12 children7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–15
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Civil Defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Civil Defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Civil Defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Civil Defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Interior

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Ministry of Health/Gaza

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Hegazy

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Ibn Sheikh Ismail

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @abeersami112

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @abeersami112

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @abeersami112

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @abeersami112

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Kmaa21

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @klaib94

  • 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
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (12 children7 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–15
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0458

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

المنارة, Al Manara, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.315061, 34.309542 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 22nd 2023 at dawn, at least four people were reportedly killed by an alleged Israeli airstrike on their family home in the Al-Manara neighbourhood located southeast of Khan Yunis.

All of the sources reported that four people had been killed in the strike. Reporting on the incident identified Salama Issa Muhammad Abu Taha and his two sons, Issa Salama Issa Abu Taha and Hamada Salama Issa Abu Taha as killed in the strike. A neighbour, Musa Issa Musa Al-Muzain, was also reportedly killed in the strike. @ShehabAgency was the only source to report that three sons of Salama – Youssef, Issa, and Taha – were killed in the strike. Salama, his sons Issa and Hamada, and Musa’s names were all matched names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th but Taha and Youssef’s names was not found.

Relatives of the Abu Tama family paid tribute to their family members on Facebook with images of the victims. A Facebook post from the Abuta family in the homeland and diaspora referred to Issa as “one of the members of the media committee on the official website”.

The sources further identified that the Abu Taha family home is located next to Sayyid Qutb mosque.

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 around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Salama Issa Muhammad Abu Taha سلامة عيسى ابو طه
57 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 963792973
Issa Salama Issa Abu Taha عيسى سلامة ابو طه
34 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802120667
Hamada Salama Issa Abu Taha حمادة سلامة ابو طه
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804712545

The victims were named as:

Musa Issa Musa Al-Muzain موسى عيسى موسى الموزين
43 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 905388716

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4–6 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Abuta family in the homeland and diaspora

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Manara (المنارة) neighbourhood of the city of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.315061, 34.309542. We were unable to find a boundary shapefile for the neighbourhood, and due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4–6 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0459

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

مخيم البريج, Bureij camp, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.437934, 34.403857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Sunday, October 22nd 2023, a number of civilians were reportedly injured and killed, including a 24-year-old civilian named Salama Muhammad al-Owaidat, when an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the Abu Helou house located at Al-Awadhi junction of Block 7 in the Bureij Camp in the Gaza Strip. The precise number of victims remains unknown, and only one victim has been identified.

Facebook user Muhammad Abd mourned the death of his friend on social media. The comment read, “The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves over your departure, O Salama. God is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs. May God accept you in the world. The martyr Salama Muhammad Al-Owaidat.” In a photo, shared alongside the comment, Salama Muhammad Al-Owaidat is depicted in a light blue blazer, shirt and jeans smiling warmly toward the camera.

Several news outlets and journalists, including Shehab Agency and East Now, reported that there were injured and a number killed due to the aircraft bombing at the Al-Awadhi junction in Al-Bureij Camp. However, there is no further detail on the additional victims killed or on the number of wounded.

Shortly after the incident appeals were made by social media users and journalists for ambulances to go to Al-Bureij camp. Facebook user Read Sharab, quoting a Quds News correspondent, posted that “appeals for ambulances to go to Block 7 in Bureij camp” were being made.

Where possible, names have been reconciled with published Palestinian Ministry of Health lists. With thanks to journalist Alexandre Horn from CheckNews for identifying relevant sources, and Data Tech for Palestine for centralising the datasets.

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salama Muhammad al-Owaidat سلامة محمد العويدات
24 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804677945

Summary

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Abd

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al-Bureij official page

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Block 7 being struck in the vicinity of Al Awadhi junction (مفترق العوضي), allegedly located within Bureij camp (مخيم البريج). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Bureij camp are: 31.437934, 34.403857.

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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0461

Incident date

October 22, 2023

Location

بيت لاهيا, Beit Lahia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.551277, 34.509233 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shortly before 10:36 PM on Sunday, October 22nd 2023, the Al-Ghandour family’s house in Beit Lahia, near the Abu Ubaida Center, in the north of the Gaza Strip, was allegedly hit by Israeli aircraft bombing, resulting in at least 18 and potentially more than 25 deaths, including at least four women and at least five children. Sources referred to a large number of others also injured in the strike, though exact figures were not found.

Initially, Shehab Agency and the Gaza Interior Ministry reported about four people killed and a number of injuries. Later on, Muhammad Hazem Al-Masry wrote about a large number of injured, and Umm lol about “dozens of martyrs and wounded” as a result of the attack. Rafat Abu Alaa reported about 16 civilians killed, noting that the death toll may increase due to many remaining under the rubble. Activist Mohamed Yousif stated that more than 25 members of Al-Ghandour family were killed with some remaining under the rubble.

Among them, 18 members of the family who were killed were identified by Airwars based on social media testimonies by relatives and friends. A 60-year-old man named Muhammad Badr Fahd Al-Ghandour (also known as Abu Badr) and his wife, 56-year-old Maryam Ahmed Al-Ghandour (Al-Halabi) were killed alongside their eight sons, daughter, daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.

Their sons who were killed were identified as 30-year-old Fahd Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour, 22-year-old Omar Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour, 20-year-old Youssef Muhammed Badr Al-Ghandour and 18-year-old Muhammad Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour. Three other sons of theirs were also killed: Hamza Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour,  39-year-old Badr Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour, and 37-year-old Mahmoud Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour.

Their newly-wed son, Mustafa Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour, and his wife, 22-year-old Ahlam Muhammad Salim Al-Ghandour (Farhat), were killed.

Muhammed and Maryam’s 9-year-old daughter, Nisma Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour, was killed alongside her nieces and nephews. They were identified as Mahmoud’s four children: his daughters, 12-year-old Maryam Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Ghandour and Maria Mahmoud Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour, who was described as a child, and his sons, 14-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Ghandour and 13-year-old Qusay Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Ghandour.

Two other family members, a 40-year-old man named Shehada Badr Fahd Al-Ghandour and a 38-year-old female relative called Tawfiqa Muhammad Salim Al-Ghandour were also killed.

Family members and friends of the Al-Ghandour made heartfelt tributes and described their grief. Multiple sources described victims remaining buried under the rubble but didn’t identify the number of victims or their names.

One relative of the family, Ahmed Sardah, in a post on Facebook, expressed his distress and pleaded for anyone who lived near the Al-Ghandour family in Beit Lahia or the area of the Indonesian Hospital to check on them and reassure him.

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

The names of fifteen victims have been reconciled with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities published on October 26, 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 at approximately 10:36 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (18)

Muhammad Badr Fahd Al-Ghandour محمد بدر الغندور
60 years old killed Matched to MoH ID 911985737
Maryam Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ghandour (Al-Halabi) مريم احمد الغندور
56 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 909522427
Mustafa Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour مصطفى محمد بدر الغندور
Age unknown male killed
Ahlam Muhammad Salim Al-Ghandour حلام محمد سليم الغندور
22 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 408376549
Youssef Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour يوسف محمد بدر الغندور
20 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 408768794
Omar Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour عمر محمد بدر الغندور
22 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 407047075
Hamza Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour حمزة محمد بدر الغندور
Age unknown male killed
Nisma Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour نسمة محمد بدر الغندور
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 434022703
Badr Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour بدر محمد بدر الغندور
39 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800305062
Fahd Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour فهد محمد بدر الغندور
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804581247
Muhammad Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour محمد محمد بدر الغندور
18 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 421397001
Mahmoud Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour محمود محمد بدر الغندور
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800629727
Muhammad Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Ghandour محمد محمود محمد الغندور
14 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429124571
Qusay Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Ghandour قصي محمود محمد الغندور
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429953078
Maryam Mahmoud Muhammad Al-Ghandour مريم محمود محمد الغندور
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 800629727
Maria Mahmoud Muhammad Badr Al-Ghandour ماريا محمود محمد بدر الغندور
Child female
Tawfiqa Muhammad Salim Al-Ghandour, توفيقة محمد سليم الغندور
38 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 801541194
Shehada Badr Fahd Al-Ghandour شحادة بدر فهد الغندور
40 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800308397

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 26
  • (5–7 children4 women8–10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nidal Al-Ghandour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Monir Serdah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ashour Ghandour Abu Fadi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Salama Abu Jihad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Muhammad Hassan Al-Masry

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Talat Gandoor

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Lahia (بيت لاهيا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.551277, 34.509233. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    18 – 26
  • (5–7 children4 women8–10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]