Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

Belligerent
Israeli Military
Country
Syria
the Gaza Strip
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

M21ISPT130

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

حي معان ,خان يونس, Ma’an neighborhood, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.330061, 34.316744 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians, including two children, were injured when an unexploded missile landed in a home east of Ma’an on May 20, 2021.

According to Al Mezan, Israeli missiles struck the home of brothers Muhammad and Munis Muhareb, in the customs police area east of Ma’an. However, the missile did not explode and also penetrated the nearby house of Ramzi Abu Hadid and injured three civilians, including two children.

Pal times put the number of injuries from the unexploded missile in Ma’an at four wounded and @yahyanawazv identified the injuries as shrapnel wounds.

A tweet from @Abuabraa2110198 added that a large number of women and children (20 people according to @yahyanawazv) that were in the Muhareb family home escaped a certain death that would’ve occurred if the missile had exploded.

@waed_2002 reported that explosives engineering teams arrived after the strikes to safely remove the unexploded missile, which weighed one ton according to @AzimShahsaab.

All of the sources attributed the unexploded missile to Israel.

The incident occured at approximately 12:10 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • An unexploded Israeli missile landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @RealEmanAyad)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @gGY33TX9eprjsHt)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @gGY33TX9eprjsHt)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @gGY33TX9eprjsHt)
  • Many people escaped certain death when an unexploded Israeli missile landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @Abuabraa2110198)
  • Damage caused by an unexploded Israeli missile which landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @yahyanawazv)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @1MahmoudAbdel)
  • Crews work to remove the unexploded Israeli missile that landed in the home of Muhammad and Munis Muhareb east of Ma’an area on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @1MahmoudAbdel)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Ma’an (معن) neighborhood of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.330061, 34.316744. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Ma’an (معن) neighborhood of Khan Younis (خان يونس).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0197

Incident date

October 14, 2023

Location

تل الهوى, Tal Al Hawa, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.503602, 34.426948 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 14th 2023 at around 1 am, Israeli forces allegedly conducted an airstrike in Tal Al-Hawa, located in the south of Gaza City. The strike reportedly killed Palestinian surgeon Dr. Medhat Mahmoud Saidam and his extended family at his home. Among the dead were between 24 to 31 civilians, including at least 12 children*, seven women (including a pregnant woman), and seven men. Whilst all sources agreed that Dr Medhat Saidam was killed, alongside his family, different sources identified different family members allegedly killed in the attack.

Twitter user @dryouceff and the Palestinian Ministry of Health said Dr. Medhat Mahmoud Saidam had been working for seven consecutive days at the Indonesian Hospital before the strike occurred. Interviewed by Al Jazeera, doctor Ahmed Makhlalati confirmed that statement, saying that his colleague Dr Medhat Mahmoud Saidam was coming home to see his family and planned to go back to the hospital but was killed when a strike hit his house at around 1 am. @Gredto reported that Dr. Saidam was killed along with 30 members of his family.

On Facebook, Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati described Dr Medhat Saidam as “one of the pioneers of plastic surgery and burns in Gaza”, “a big brother”, “a compassionate human being” who “devoted his life to serving patients, providing care for them, and educating the new younger generation”. He also added: “I cannot imagine what the atmosphere of the place would be like after him. I cannot imagine our morning meetings without him joining us with his enthusiasm and positive energy…May God have mercy on him and his entire family.” A tweet from Gredto added that “the doctor specializing in plastic surgery contributed to alleviating the suffering of those wounded in the Gaza wars 2009-2014”.

A Facebook post from Dr. Medhat Saidam’s cousin, Mohammed Saidam, named the following victims killed: Dr Medhat Mahmoud Saidam and Dr Medhat Saidam’s mother, Umm Medhat, married to the deceased Dr Mahmoud Saidam. Another source identified Umm Medhat as Majda Saidam (Al-Dajani)

The same source mentioned the death of Medhat Saidam’s two brothers, and their family, namely: Ahmed Mahmoud Saidam and his wife Shamah Ahmed and their children. Another Facebook source, Hussam Al-Dajni, documented the names of the children as: Abdul Rahman Ahmed Saidam, Magda Ahmed Saidam, Maryam Ahmed Saidam, Fatima Ahmed Saidam, Sameh Mahmoud Saidam, his pregnant wife Suhad Iyad Al-Dajani, their unborn baby Rana Sameh Saidam, and their children Sameh Saidam and Mira Sameh Saidam.

Mohammad Saidam also listed his female cousin‘s death, alongside her children, without providing their identity, age, or the number of children.

A Facebook post by Ahmad ALameen provided the names of additional victims killed, civilians also described by Hussam Al-Dajni as “Abu Jihad’s children and wife”:
Nahil Ayesh Al-Dajani, Umm Jihad, wife of Abu Jihad. One source said she was still alive while others referred to her as with the term “martyr”, implying she was also killed in the strike. The children were named as: Alaa Iyad Al-Dajani, (Abu Jihad’s son), (D) Youssef Al-Dajani, (Abu Jihad’s son), Abdul Rahman Al-Dajani, (Abu Jihad’s son), Suhad Al-Dajani (already mentioned above, married to Sameh Saidam), Abu Jihad’s daughter.

A Facebook post from the brother of Umm Medhat, named Hussam Al-Dajni, also documented the following civilian killed in the same attack: Balsam Farouk Al-Nono (Dr. Saidam’s sister in law). Multiple social media users described additional family members killed: Nawal Abdullah Ahmed Abu Nada (16 years old), Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed Abu Nada (15 years old), Anas Abdullah Ahmed Abundi (12 years old), Mohammed Abdullah Ahmed Abondi (6 years old), and Samah Abu Nada (Saidam). According to a Facebook post published by Anadolu Agency, those killed were all part of the same family unit. On this point, the outlet described them as the wife and four children of “Palestinian doctor Abdullah Abu Nada.” Footage of Abdullah Abu Nada grieving publicly was widely shared in the days following this incident. One Facebook user, posting on October 17, captioned this footage “Dr. Abdullah Abu Nada receives his family as martyrs 4 days after their house was targeted.” Other local sources added that the family was under the rubble during those 4 days.

@dryouceff reported that the strike occurred at Dr. Saidam’s home, which was located near Al-Hidaya Mosque in Tal Al-Hawa. Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

*Airwars has provisionally reconciled these names to those published by the Palestinian Ministry of Health on October 26, 2023. IDs from the MoH document are listed alongside names, and ages provided by the MoH. For cases where ‘children’ are referred to without additional biographical detail, Airwars assumes a range of at least 2.

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

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

The victims were named as:

Family members (25)

Dr Medhat Mahmoud Saidam الطبيب مدحت محمود صيدم
47 years old male Al-Shifa hospital Dr killed Matched to MoH ID 901363275
Majda Al-Dajani Saidam (Umm Medhat) مجدة الذجاني صيدم
Adult female Medhat Mahmoud Saidam's mother killed
Ahmed Mahmoud Saidam احمد محمود صيدم
36 years old male Medhat's brother killed Matched to MoH ID 801823527
Shamah Ahmed شامة أحمد
32 years old female Ahmed Mahmoud Saidam's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 803297258
Abdul Rahman Ahmed Saidam عبدالرحمن اياد الدجاني
6 years old male Ahmed and Shamah's son killed Matched to MoH ID 438972358
Magda Ahmed Saidam مجدة الذجاني صيدم
11 years old female Ahmed and Shamah's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 432322493
Maryam Ahmed Saidam مريم احمد صيدم
1 years old female Ahmed and Shamah's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 444179576
Fatima Ahmed Saidam فاطمة احمد صيدم
9 years old female Ahmed and Shamah's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 433542990
Sameh Mahmoud Saidam سامح محمود صيدم
32 years old male Medhat's brother killed Matched to MoH ID 802862342
Suhad Iyad Al-Dajani سهاد اياد الدجاني
29 years old female pregnant Sameh's wife, also Abu Jihad's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 410102594
Sameh Saidam سامح صيدم
Child male Sameh and Suhad's son killed
Mira Sameh Saidam ميرة سامح صيدم
5 years old female Sameh and Suhad's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 440822229
Mohammad Saidam's female cousin
Adult female killed
Mohammad Saidam's female cousin's child
Child killed
Mohammad Saidam's female cousin's second child
Child killed
Nahil Ayesh Al-Dajani, Umm Jihad ناهل عياش الدجاني ام جهاد
Adult female wife of Abu Jihad killed
Alaa Iyad Al-Dajani علاء إياد الدجني
25 years old male Abu Jihad's son killed Matched to MoH ID 403741143
Youssef Al-Dajani يوسف اياد الدجاني
20 years old male Abu Jihad's son killed Matched to MoH ID 408447670
Abdul Rahman Al-Dajani عبدالرحمن اياد الدجاني
20 years old male Abu Jihad's son killed Matched to MoH ID 408447688
Balsam Farouk Al-Nono بلسم فاروق النانو
34 years old female Medhi's sister-in-law killed Matched to MoH ID 801183567
Ahmed Abdullah Abu Nada أحمد عبد الله ابو ندى
15 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 425925625
Anas Abdullah Abu Nada انس عبد الله ابو ندى
12 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 430087015
Muhammad Abdullah Abu Nada محمد عبد الله ابو ندى
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 436876460
Nawal Abdullah Abu Nada نوال عبد الله ابو ندى
16 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 424656262
Samah Abu Nada (Saidam) سماح محمود ابوندى صيدم
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 31
  • (12 children7 women7 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (45) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

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

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

    Source: Mohammed Saidam Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Khalaf Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Khalaf Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saydam Family Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Iman majdalawi Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hidaya mosque (مسجد الهداية), within the neighborhood of Tal Al Hawa (تل الهوا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.503611, 34.426944. 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
    24 – 31
  • (12 children7 women7 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0041

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

مخيّم النصيرات, Nuseirat camp, Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.450065, 34.392934 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the October 8th, 2023, Hamid Kamal Abu Aoun (36 years old) was killed along with his three children in an alleged Israeli airstrike on his home in the Al Nuseirat camp.

In the attack, carried out at dawn, Hamid Aoun’s two sons Kamal Hamid Abu Aoun (13 years old) and Omar Hamid Abu Aoun (five years old) and his daughter Rima Hamid Abu Aoun (one year old) were all reported killed.

Hamid Aoun was reported to be the son of Hamas Political Bureau member Kamal Abu Aoun. The strike and the deaths of the family members were reported online through different news outlets such as the Palestinian Information Center and Palestine Now. The Palestinian Information Center tweeted that Hamed Kamal Abu Aoun, son of a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, was killed, accompanied by three of his children in the attack on their home at dawn today”, whilst Palestine Now specifically attributed the bombing to Israeli aircraft.

The Nuseirat camp, where the strike had occurred, publicly confirmed the attack on its Facebook page: “confirmed the rise of the beloved Hamed Abu Aoun, a new moon joining the group of moons”.

Using social media, several family members and friends expressed their condolences, confirming the deaths of Hamad Kamal Abu Aoun and his three children. Wesam Al Attar, the cousin of Hamad Kamal Abu Aoun wrote on his Facebook account: “May God have mercy on him, the heroic martyrs. (My cousin Hamad Kamal Abu Aoun … and three of his children)”.

All names of those killed 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 (4)

Hamed Kamal Abu Aoun حامد كمال ابو
36 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800788010
Kamal Hamid Abu Aoun كمال حامد ابو
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429646748
Omar Hamid Abu Aoun عمر حامد ابو
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440821999
Rima Hamid Abu Aoun ريما حامد
1 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 444422067

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: Ahmad Al Ekomi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wesam Al Attar
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Nusayriat camp page
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdul Qadir Ahmed Al Hour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdul Qadir Ahmed Al Hour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdul Qadir Ahmed Al Hour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

    Source: Um Al Haytham
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

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

    Source: @AlanWkalt

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Nuseirat (النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.450065, 34.392934. 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
    4
  • (3 children1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0073

Incident date

October 9, 2023

Location

لمنزل  لعائلة أبو هلال مخيم يبنا ,مدينة رفح, Abu Hilal family house, Bashit Camp or Yabna camp, city of Rafah, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

In the early hours of Monday, October 9, 2023, Israeli forces allegedly bombed a family home belonging to Raafat Abu Harb Hussein Hilal – a claimed member and a leader of the militant group the Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades – in Yabna camp (or Bashit Camp, according to some sources), in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. According to publicly available information, a combatant Hilal was killed alongside at least 24 identified civilians, including at least 13 women (among them a pregnant woman) and four children. At least 40 civilians were reportedly wounded.

Following this event, AFP news agency made available a photograph that purportedly showed the destruction caused by the alleged bombing, captioned “Members of the Palestinian Abu Hilal family inspect the damage inside their home following overnight Israeli air strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 9, 2023.”

Members of five families, including Abu Hilal, Barhoum, Zanoun and Labad families, were among the victims of the strike. Their family members wrote Facebook testimonies shedding some light on the identities of the victims of the deadly attack.

According to a report by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, the strike occurred at approximately 01:20 and led to the complete destruction of the Abu Hilal house and damaged several houses adjacent to it. It led to the death of 19 civilians, including nine women and four children, and the injury of 40 others. A post from Adel Zarab reported that “more than 80 injuries” resulted from attacks in Rafah but it is unclear if they all occurred during this incident. News agencies Associated Press and Anadolu Agency also reported that 19 civilians were killed, citing a doctor Talat Barhoum at the nearby Al-Najjar Hospital. However, Twitter account @khalil3 reported about 25 killed civilians in the Abu Hilal family house. Airwars identified the names of 24 civilians killed and the identity of up to 36 total victims killed.

The Abu Hilal family posted pictures of the funerals of the family members and the prayer in mosques on Facebook. One body, presumably of Raafat though it was covered, was draped in a flag of a militant organisation with a gun and the word resistance (مقاومة) on it – a word used often by militant groups in Gaza. The Nasser Salah al-Din Brigades are the militant wing of the Popular Resistance Committees – a loose grouping of armed factions in Gaza.

The Abu Hilal family posted about the late 31-year old Yahya Khalid Harb Abu Hilal, his wife, their son and their daughter (whose names were not published) as well as Abu Saqr Abu Hilal, his wife Sabreen Hussein Abu Hilal (30), and their children (whose names were not published), and Rana Khaled Abu Hilal, a wife of Abd Raafat who was not killed in the attack. A Facebook post by NööÑöö Àĺì mentions some other victims of this attack from the Abu Hilal family, namely, Muhammad Raafat Abu Hilal, Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) and her two daughters (whose names were not published), a 28-year old pregnant Nada Khaled Abu Hilal, Abdul Karim Abu Hilal (70) and his wife Rasmiya Abu Hilal (70), and Nisreen Yahya Abu Hilal (6, possibly a child of Yahya).

In a Facebook post Ahmad Sami Barhom wrote that Ayman Sabri Barhoum who was not killed in the strike lost his 61-year old mother Sabah Muhammad Ahmad Barhoum, his 20-year old sister Nibal (Nepal) Sabri Barhoum, his 24-year old wife Asmaa Bassam Mohammad Barhoum and their 2-year old son Abdul Rahman Ayman Sabri Barhoum in the “brutal bombing of Rafah.” A nephew of Asmaa Bassam Mohammad Barhoum, Talat Barhoum, also mourned the death of the Barhoum family members in a Facebook testimony. A list provided by Najia Mahmoud included “Alaa Barhoum’s mother” but it is unclear if she is one of the people mentioned above.

A Labad family member Umm Ibrahim Labad and her grandson, the child Saad Mahmoud Labad (2) were also killed in the strike and remembered by Umm Ibrahim Labad’s nephew, Mohammed Atalla, in a Facebook post. Nabila Suleiman Labad  (60) was also mentioned as a victim in a Facebook post by Diwan Al-Areesh – this may be Umm Ibrahim Labad but it is unclear from the sources.

According to the post by Abu Kamal Zanoun, six members of the Zanoun family lost their lives in the attack, namely, Hajj Zaki Nassar Zanoun Abu Khaled (70), his wife Badriya Zanoun Barhoum (71), his nephew Nassar Salim Zanoun Abu Salim (35), his relatives Ahmed Azmi Zanoun (16), and Soha Azmi Zanoun (18). The late Hajj Zaki Nassar Zanoun Abu Khaled and his wife were mentioned as neigbours of Abu Hilal in the post by Saqie Hilal. A post from Jehad Zanoon included an image of Nassar “honouring his cousin” Soha, and both can be seen holding an award. According to Raed Hasan Zanoon, the funeral for the members of the Zanoun family took place at Ebad Al-Rahman Mosque and they were buried at the Eastern Cemetery.

The tweet from @vivapalestineee included additional names killed in “the bombing of the Abu Hilal family home”: Shadia Saleh Marjouna (46), Marzouqa Freih Abu Jazar (92), and Bilal Saeed Abu Jazar (30), in addition to an unknown woman and the unknown remains of two people from the Dhair family. A Facebook post from Adel Zarab includes the additional name Abdullah Hisham Dahil but it is unclear if they were killed in this attack, as the post only refers to “Rafah” as the location.

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

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

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

The incident occured at approximately 1:20 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (17)

Yahya Khalid Harb Abu Hilal يحيى خالد ابوهلال
31 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803701150
Wife of Yahya Khaled Abu Hilal زوجة يحيى خالد ابوهلال
Adult female killed
Son of Yahya Khaled Abu Hilal ابن يحيى خالد ابوهلال
Child male killed
Daughter of Yahya Khaled Abu Hilal ابنة يحيى خالد ابوهلال
Child female killed
Abu Saqr Abu Hilal أبو صقر أبو هلال
Adult male killed
Sabreen Hussein Abu Hilal صابرين حسين ابوهلال
30 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803701150
Child of Abu Saqr Abu Hilal طفل أبو صقر أبو هلال
Child killed
Child of Abu Saqr Abu Hilal طفل أبو صقر أبو هلال
Child killed
Rana Khaled Abu Hilal رنا خالد ابو هلال
Adult female killed
Muhammad Raafat Abu Hilal محمد رافت ابوهلال
male killed
Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) سها ابو هلال (ابو عرب)
Adult female killed
Daughter of Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) ابنة سها ابو هلال (ابو عرب)
female killed
Daughter of Suha Abu Hilal (Abu Arab) ابنة سها ابو هلال (ابو عرب)
female killed
Nada Khaled Abu Hilal ندى خالد ابو هلال
28 years old female pregnant killed Matched to MoH ID 401085592
Abdul Karim Abu Hilal عبد الكريم أبو هلال
70 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 903676146
Rasmiya Abu Hilal رسمية ابو هلال
70 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 908676349
Nisreen Yahya Abu Hilal نسرين يحيى ابو هلال
6 years old female killed

Family members (5)

Sabah Muhammad Ahmad Barhoum صباح محمد برهوم
61 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 917763096
Nibal (Nepal) Sabri Barhoum نبال صبري برهوم
20 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 409339918
Asmaa Bassam Mohammad Barhoum اسماء بسام برهوم
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 405178047
Abdul Rahman Ayman Barhoum عبدالرحمن ايمن برهوم
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445538960
Alaa Barhoum’s mother أم علاء برهوم
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Umm Ibrahim Labad أم إبراهيم لباد
Adult female killed
Saad Mahmoud Labad سعد محمود لباد
2 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445477342
Nabila Suleiman Labad نبيلة سليمان لباد
60 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 919145847

Family members (5)

Zaki Nassar Zanoun زكي ناصر زنون
70 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 903675940
Soha Azmi Zanoun سهى غزمي زنون
18 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 409925971
Ahmed Azmi Zanoun أحمد عزمي زنون
16 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424456564
Nassar Salim Zanoun نصار سليم زنون
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802024034
Badriya Zanoun, Umm Khaled بدرية زنون أم خالد
71 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 918683251

The victims were named as:

Shadia Saleh Marjouna شادية صالح مرجونة
46 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 411265556
Marzouqa Freih Abu Jazar مرزوقة فريح ابو جزر
92 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 903675627
Bilal Saeed Abu Jazar بلال سعيد ابو جزر
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804606176
Abdullah Hisham Dahil عبدالله هشام دهيلز
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • (4–10 children13–16 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–81
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (61) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adel Zarab facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ALarabiya palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ABu Hilal family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Hilia family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Hilia family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

    Source: Saqie Hilal facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saqie Hilal facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saqie Hilal facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Abu Adham facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

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

    Source: Abu Kamal Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Kamal Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Kamal Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jehad Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Hasan Zanoon facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Issa Abu Sharaf facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Issa Abu Sharaf facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Getty Images Photo
    Members of the Palestinian Abu Hilal family inspect the damage inside their home following overnight Israeli air strikes on Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 9, 2023. The Israeli army said it hit more than 500 targets in the Gaza Strip in overnight strikes, as the death toll from its war with Palestinian militants surged above 1,100. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • (4–10 children13–16 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–81
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0155

Incident date

October 12, 2023

Location

مخيم النصيرات 2, Al Nuseirat Camp 2, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.441022, 34.382483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 12th 2023, at approximately 3:30 PM, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the Kafina family house in Camp 2 of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, killing a child named Hussain Muhammed Kafina (14), and a child named Anas Abu Zarqa (13). Additionally, Safa News, Alalam News, and Shehab Agency all reported that the strike led to civilian injuries, without providing any additional information.

The strike which reportedly occured without a prior warning hit the centre of the Nuseirat camp, an UNRWA camp that accommodates thousands of Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza strip. Abu Fayez posted a video on Facebook showing the immediate aftermath of the strike, a severely damaged four-storey residential building and several wounded people being carried away.

Emad Abu Shawiesh also posted a video of the damage inflicted from the strike to his account mentioning that this is the second time the Kafina family home has been bombed. Made In Gaza reported that the Kafina family home was a four-story residential building.

Family members and friends mourned the death of the victims in their testimonies on social networks. Muhamed Abunoor wrote on Facebook: “My cousin’s son, the martyr, God willing, Hussein Muhammad Kafina”, posting a picture of a smiling child in a suit. Anas Abu Zarqa’s uncle Abdulrahman Jaber wrote that his nephew was killed in a strike on a neighbouring house, the Kafina family house. Another neighbor @mahmoud stated that they also survived the bombing of their neighbors’ house. Altabax Saidawi posted on Facebook a picture of the young smiling Anas Abu Zarqa holding a heart in his hands.

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

Airwars was able to find both names of the children among the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of names published 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 at approximately 3:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Anas Abu Zarqa انس ابو زرقة
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429631518
Husain Muhammed Kafina حسين محمد كفينة
14 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 426429171

Summary

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

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

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

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

    Source: Altabalsaidawi

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Nuseirat Camp 2 (مخيم النصيرات 2) northeast of Deir Al Balah (دير البلح). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.441022, 34.382483.

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  • Imagery:
    Abo Fayez Jml

  • Imagery:
    Abo Fayez Jml

  • Imagery:
    Abo Fayez Jml

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

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0173A

Incident date

October 12, 2023

Location

جباليا, Jabalia, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.538711, 34.495107 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the morning of Thursday, October 12th 2023, a high-ranked member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Awad Ghalib al Sultan was killed together with at least five members of the al Sultan family, including a child, in an alleged Israeli strike on the Awad al-Sultan’s family house in the Jabalia refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. At least two family members were injured in the attack.

38-year old Commander Awad Ghalib Al Sultan was killed together with his 5-year old son Suhaib Awad Ghaleb al Sultan. The body of Awad was transferred to the Indonesian Hospital in the neighboring town of Beit Lahia.

Among the killed victims of the attack were two brothers of the wife of the late Awad, a 31-year old Jihad Khaled Mohammad Al Sultan and 19-year old Bahaa khaled Mohammad Al Sultan. Their father Khaled al-Sultan and their mother as well as the children of Jihad were reported as injured in the attack, according to the Facebook post by Wadih Al-Sultan.

Two brothers, a 33-year old Ibrahim Awni al-Sultan and Raed Awni al-Sultan, also lost their lives in the attack, according to the tribute by Mesbah E. Sultan.

Ahmed A Sultan posted an obituary by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine dedicated to the late Awad where it was said that “the Popular Front and the National Movement lost one of its most prominent fighters”. It further noted that Awad had been a member of the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, an active militant group in Gaza, during which he carried out combat missions, especially at sea. He was reportedly arrested in 2010 on a boat off the coast of the Northern Gaza Strip while performing a combat mission, and was released in 2018. Awad was then elected as a member of the General Central Committee of the Popular Front at the Eighth National Congress of the Front in May 2022, and served as an official at the Prisoner’s Department.

Mohammed H Sultan wrote in his Facebook testimony dedicated to Awad and his son: “We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. With hearts that believe in God’s will and destiny, we mourn my cousin, the martyr, the freed prisoner, Awad Ghaleb al-Sultan, and his son Suhaib Awad al-Sultan”.

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

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

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

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Suhaib Awad Ghaleb Al Sultan صهيب عوض السلطان
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441128477
Khaled Al Sultan خالد السلطان
Adult male injured
Wife of Khaled Al Sultan زوجة خالد السلطان
Adult female injured
Jihad Khaled Mohammad Al Sultan جهاد خالد السلطان
31 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803702992
Bahaa khaled Mohammad Al Sultan بهاء خالد السلطان
19 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 420578320
Ibrahim Awni Ahmad Al Sultan براهيم عوني السلطان
33 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802873679
Raed Awni Al Sultan رائد عوني السلطان
male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed H Sultan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed H Sultan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wadih Al-Sultan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wadih Al-Sultan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wadih Al-Sultan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wadih Al-Sultan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Jales_tinian2
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Jales_tinian2

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Jabalia (جباليا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.538711, 34.495107. 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
    5
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0183

Incident date

October 13, 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

On Friday, October 13, 2023, between 17 and 25 civilian members of the Ziyadah family were killed and dozens were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on the house of the Ziyadah family in Beit Lahiya, Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Information Center and Nabd news initially reported on the death of 17 civilians, with Al Jazeera sharing harrowing video footage of the bombings on Beit Lahia under the cover of darkness. Multiple local and international sources including Alkufiya, Refugee PS, Palestine Post, and RT news later stated that 25 civilians were killed in the bombing, with RT News also reporting the “the injury of dozens”. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign affairs confirmed the casualties in a tweet that said “25 were martyred in the targeting of the Ziyadah family home in the town of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip”, accompanied by an image of a destroyed building with children searching among the rubble.

Airwars identified the names of the two killed victims of the strike. Abu Hamza mourned the death of his elderly father Haj Khamis Ziyadah (Abu Wael), sharing an image of his lifeless face on social media, and the death of his uncle Sami Ziyadah (Abu Muhammed) in the bombing. The late Sami appears as a smiling middle-aged man on the image attached to the Facebook post.

Neighbours, friends and relatives also posted their tributes to the killed victims, with Saed Shihada calling Abu Wael Ziyadah a “good neighbor”, and Moaz Aziz saying “The martyrdom of Uncle Sami Ziada Abu Muhammad joins Uncle Khamis Ziada Abu Wael in the same place and at the same time. May God have mercy on them and make their abode in Paradise, O Lord.” Another relative of the family mentioned the death of Sami’s wife without giving a name.

A family relative Ines Tili Zaono wrote that a large part of the family had been killed in Gaza in the 2014 conflict after being displaced, with much of the Ziyadah family “displaced to Gaza, and the remaining few to the West Bank and refugee camps in the Arab world.”

Both civilians identified were found among the Ministry of Health list of names released on October 26th.

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khamis Ziyadah, Abu Wael خميس زيادة ابو وائل
66 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 955886346
Sami Ziyadah, Abu Mohammed سامي زيادة ابو محمد
47 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 901277228

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 25
  • (2 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

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

    Source: Moaz Aziz facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Moaz Aziz facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Moaz Aziz facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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
    17 – 25
  • (2 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0281

Incident date

October 17, 2023

Location

مسجد صلاح الدين الأيوبي, Vicinity of Salah al Din al Ayyubi Mosque, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.497186, 34.457824 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A large number of people were killed and wounded when three houses collapsed, including the Arhim family home, north of the Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Mosque in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, after reportedly being hit by a bomb from an Israeli military aircraft on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.

Many of the victims who were killed and injured were recovered from the rubble but others remained trapped.

Over 20 sources reported the incident, however none provided details of how many civilians were killed and injured. Given references to ‘large numbers’ of casualties, Airwars has used a 12-24 range in both the fatality and injury fields in line with our methodology.

Where sources identified a belligerent, all sources attributed the incident 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: alhak313Iraq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marena

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Salah al Din al Ayyubi Mosque (مسجد صلاح الدين الأيوبي) to the east of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.497186, 34.457824. 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
    Religious Institution, Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 24
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]