Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

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Incident Code

M21ISPT025

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

شارع الشعف, Al Shafa Street, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.5044578, 34.474228 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and three others, including a child, were injured in alleged Israeli strikes on Al-Sha’af Street in the east of the Al-Tuffah neighborhood on May 12, 2021. Al Qassam Brigades identified that a combatant was also killed in the strike, a “Mujahid Qassami”.

A tweet from @Reemjihad1 identified that “a civilian car was targeted in Al-Sha`f neighborhood, east of #Gaza leading to 1 martyr.” However, El Watan News increased the number to “an elderly man and another citizen were martyred”.

@qudsn named “Izz Al-Din Helles was killed and his father and brother were seriously injured after his car was bombed” and @OmarElQattaa added that “a number of injuries arrived at Al-Shifa Medical Complex”. @palsawa put the number of injured at three.

Al Qassam Brigades confirmed that Izz Al-Din Helles was a member of the militant group in their report which stated “On the path of jihad, life becomes sweeter – Izz Al-Din Muhammad Abdullah Helles.”

According to @A7med_Bulbul, Izz Al-Din was 35 years old and his injured brother is Ashraf. Pal times 2015 posted about “the injury of a 47-year-old man, a resident of Shejaiya, and his 17-year-old son, to the Al-Shifa compound,” which seems to refer to Ashraf and his son. A Facebook post by Welliam.shahwan added that the car struck belonged to Dr. Ashraf Helles and his son was injured along with him and Ezzedine’s father.

Al Mezan gave specific details that “at 2:15pm on 12 May 2021, Israeli air forces fired two missiles onto a car driving down Al-Sha’af Street in the east of the Al-Tuffah neighborhood”.

All of the sources that attributed the strikes to a responsible party identified Israel as carrying out the strikes. The IDF confirmed they carried out this attack, reporting that “15:28 – An IDF aircraft attacked a vehicle carrying a squadron of Hamas terrorist launchers from the Sajaiya Battalion.”

The incident occured at 14:15:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ashraf Helles اشرف حلس
47 years old male Brother of Ezzedine injured
Father of Ezzedine Helles بيو لا عزالــديــن حلس
Adult male killed
Son of Ashraf Helles ابن اشرف حلس
17 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by the alleged Israeli strikes on the Sha`af neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @OmarElQattaa)
  • Damage caused by the alleged Israeli strikes on the Sha`af neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @OmarElQattaa)
  • Damage caused by the alleged Israeli strikes on the Sha`af neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Image of a Palestinian militant, Ezzedine Helles, identified as a member of Al Qassam, killed in strikes on the Sha`af neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Abo Zaher Hales via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video of the moment Dr. Ashraf Helles' car was targeted on Al Sha'af Street, knowing that his brother was martyred and his son and father were injured in the bombing

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    # Video of a martyr targeting a civilian car in Al-Sha`f neighborhood, east of Gaza

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Image of Ezzedine Helles, killed in strikes on the Sha`af neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Ibn Al Balad via Facebook)
  • Izza Al-Din Muhammad Abudullah Helles, allegedly killed by an Israeli forces' restaurant

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on Al Shafa (الشعف) Street, within the neighborhood of Al Tuffah (التفاح ). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location of this strike to these exact coordinates: 31.5044578, 34.474228.

  • Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on Al Shafa (الشعف) Street, within the neighborhood of Al Tuffah (التفاح ).

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Tagged panoramic stitch from audio-visual sources.

    Imagery:
    @adham922

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @OmarElQattaa

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @_F701

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @_F701

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

15:28 - An IDF aircraft attacked a vehicle carrying a squadron of Hamas terrorist launchers from the Sajaiya Battalion.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT027

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

قرب معهد حمودة بيت لاهيا, Vicinity of Hamouda Institute, Beit Lahya, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.524657, 34.437209

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians were injured in alleged Israeli strikes next the Hamouda Institure in Beit Lahia on May 12, 2021.

@SafaPs reported that “two injuries arrived at the Indonesian hospital as a result of the Israeli raid against a group of citizens next to the Hamouda Sharia Institute in Beit Lahia”. Other sources also reported that there were injuries but did not provide a number.

@gaza_report referred to “two casualties” but doesn’t specify if they are injuries or deaths.

All of the sources that reported on the incident identified airstrikes as occurring and both @wtaanpress2 and @Arabi21News attributed the strikes to Israel.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Air strikes near Nayef Towers in Beit Lahiya‌ on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @wolfaksh)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Hamouda Institute ( معهد حمودة), within the city of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Hamouda Institute are: 31.545625, 34.512219.

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
    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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT028

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

خزاعة, Khuza'a, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.307314, 34.360372 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians, a woman and two children, were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the town of Khuza’a on May 12, 2021.

According to @NewpressPs, “a Palestinian woman and two children were injured in a bombing in the town of Khuza’a, east of Khan Yunis”. The injuries resulted from the house of the woman injured being struck and ambulance crews evacuated the injured.

A post by Amr Tabash identified the injured woman as being from the al-Najjar family and Pal times 2015 verified that the woman and children were from the same family.

@palsawa added that the house was struck during Israeli targeting of “the Internal Security headquarters near the Education Roundabout, east of Beit Lahia”.

@syr_television identified four air raids as being carried out in Khuza’a and all of the sources that reported on the incident blamed Israeli forces.

An IDF statement on 12th May stated: “A short while ago, the IDF struck an additional Hamas internal security apparatus building, in Khan Yunis, used for counterintelligence”. It is unclear if this statement directly relates to this event at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A woman from the al-Najjar family was brought to the hospital with injuries following strikes on the town of Khuza’a on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Amr Tabash via Facebook)
  • A woman from the al-Najjar family was brought to the hospital with injuries following strikes on the town of Khuza’a on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Amr Tabash via Facebook)
  • A woman from the al-Najjar family was brought to the hospital with injuries following strikes on the town of Khuza’a on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Amr Tabash via Facebook)
  • A woman was injured now in Al-Najjar neighborhood in Khuza'a, as a result of artillery shelling of the house of a citizen

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khuza’a (خزاعة), southeast of Khan Younis (خان يونس). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Khuza’a are: 31.307314, 34.360372.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military

[23:59, 5/12/2021] IDF News Desk: IDF:

A short while ago, the IDF struck an additional Hamas internal security apparatus building, in Khan Yunis, used for counterintelligence.

The IDF is continuing to strike terror targets in the Gaza Strip.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT021

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

تل الهوى, Tal Al Hawa, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.508687, 34.432846 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians, including two to three children and a pregnant woman, were killed and four others were injured in alleged Israeli strikes on Tal Al Hawa neighborhood in Gaza on May 12th 2021. Two members of the Al Qassam Brigade were also allegedly killed in the same strike.

Al Jazeera reported that “A woman, who is four months pregnant, and her five-year-old son, were reported killed following the latest Israeli air strike on their house in Tel al-Hawa”and later identified the name of the pregnant woman as Reema Telbani. Israel-Palestine Timeline added that a girl was also killed, “Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, 3, and her brother Zeid, 5, were killed by a missile that struck their home in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City”. @WAFANewsEnglish also identified the husband of Reema Telbani as being killed and @ahmadfarha44 tweeted his name as Muhammad Odeh al-Tilbani.

At the time of reporting, Al Jazeera detailed that Reema and Zeid had died immediately, while “Mohammed later died in the intensive care unit, but the body of their daughter, three-year-old Maryam, has yet to be recovered from the site of the attack”. A post 10 days later by Wisam Al Tal on Facebook reported that the body of Maryam was finally recovered from the rubble and a funeral was held for her.

Quds News Network gave an overall report that the strikes on Tal Al Hawa killed ” three civilians and wounding four others in initial reports”. Al Watan Voice added that of the four injured, two of the cases were in critical condition.

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights identified two missiles as striking the “4-storey residential building next to al-Yaziji Bakery in Tal al-Hawa” at 1:35AM and resulting in five people being killed, including “Rima Sa’ed Kamel Sa’ed “al-Telbani” (31), her 5-year-old child Zaid Mohammed ‘Odah al-Telbani, Wael ‘Abdel Karim ‘Ali ‘Issa (41); Hasan Mohammed ‘Ali al-Qahwaji (43) and Hala Hussein Ra’fat al-Rifi (13), who was killed in the building adjacent to the targeted building. Al Mezan also identified Hussein Raafat Al-Rifi, father of Hala, as being injured in the strikes.

Al Qassam Brigades reported in two separate posts of the death of two of their members, Hassan Mohammed Hassan Al-Qahwaji and Wael Abdel Karim Ali Issa. @abd_rahman197 tweeted that “Al-Qassam Brigades announces the news of the martyrdom of two of its great leaders… the martyrdom of the Qassam leader Judge Hassan Al-Qahwaji Abu Ali and the martyrdom of the leader Wael Issa, Abu Hamad. Abdallah Tariq, the cousin of Al-Qahwaji, also referred to him as a judge for Al Qassam and included a picture.

The Guardian reported that “on Tuesday Israeli jets hit one of the towers, an eight-story apartment block, where Hassan Abu al-Ata, deputy commander of Islamic Jihad’s Gaza Brigade, who is blamed for rocket attacks against Israel, was sheltering.” There is no evidence he was killed in this strike.

Mohammad Saad, cousin of Reema, told Al Jazeera that the news hit the family “like a lightning bolt” and that “I’m communicating with the fire department and civil defence crews in Gaza to help us find Maryam and have her rest and be buried near her mother, who would have wanted that”. Middle East Eye reported that Reema’s mother Samia Saad had been trying to reach Reema after she heard that an apartment building in from of the al-Yazji bakery was struck but when she didn’t pick up, she rushed to the neighborhood. “They told us that her husband was in the intensive care unit. When I asked about my daughter and her children, they said that we might need to check the morgue. They did not allow me to see her because they said I would break down. So my son saw her and confirmed her identity. He told me that I could not handle seeing her like this. Her skull was broken open and her brain exposed.”

The day prior to the attack “had been a joyous one, with Reem visiting her family to congratulate her brother on his engagement. “The next day, she went home and was targeted,” cousin Mohammad Saad said. Reema’s mother Samia “urged her daughter to spend the night in her house – but she told MEE that Reema had decided to stay home, convinced that her residential neighbourhood would not be targeted.” According to Samia, “She said she wanted to stay with her husband and that her home was located in an overcrowded and safe neighbourhood. Before the attack, we video-chatted and the children showed me how they had moved their mattresses to sleep in their parents’ bedroom because they were scared. They wished me a good night and went to sleep.”

Middle East Eye reported that “Reema Saad had been hoping for a baby girl” and “the 30-year-old Palestinian journalist was four months along in her third pregnancy, and was due to find out the sex of her baby a few days after Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.” Her sister Samar Saad told Middle East Eye “When she found out she was pregnant, Reema was very happy. Her son Zaid hoped the baby would be a boy so that he would call him Zain, but Mariam wanted a little sister, and cried every time we teased her telling her it was a baby boy.”

Samar had not been able to attend her sister’s funeral because of the ongoing shelling. “My mum asked me not to come because of the intensive shelling. She told me that she did not want to lose another daughter,” she said.

The third Saad sister, Sally, found out about Reema’s death in Belgium, where she is living. “I was sleeping when Reema’s home was bombed. I woke up to my husband talking [on the phone],” Sally told MEE that she feels devastated being so far away and unable to be with her family. “We used to video-chat every day; me, mum, Samar, Reema and her children. Now, I can only talk to mum and my siblings when they are able to, due to the intensive shelling. Reema was constantly asking us about the clothes she should buy for her children for Eid – but she was also very ambitious, always discussing her plans to start a project assisting people in finding freelance jobs,” Sally says.

Reema’s mother Samia was familiar with loss: she was “reminded of her brother, who was killed by Israeli forces during the First Intifada, and her husband, who died in 2009 due to lack of drugs and medical equipment in Gaza under the ongoing Israeli-led blockade”.

Various sources reported on the location as being next to al-Yaziji Bakery while @alwatanvoice identified the location as “near the Abu Zour farm”. Al Mezan described the apartment that was bombed as being on the “third floor of the Salha residential building, which is a four-storey building, with a total area 250 square meters, and it consists of (5) apartments and commercial crops, located in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, west of Gaza City”.

The bombing was described as being carried out by airstrikes and Sama News described that “the targeting force caused the body of the martyrs to fly out from inside the apartment.”

All of the sources that attributed responsibility to a belligerent blamed Israel for carrying out the strikes. A video posted by the IDF on twitter labeled as a strike on “senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization’s intelligence system” has been identified as occurring at this strike location.

The incident occured at 01:35:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani مريم محمد عودة التلباني
3 years old female killed
Zeid Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani زيد محمد عودة التلباني
5 years old male killed
Reema Saad ريم سعد كامل سعد
31 years old female pregnant killed
Mohammed Odah at-Tilbani محمد عودة التلباني
29 years old male killed

Family members (2)

Hussein Raafat Al-Rifi حسين رأفت الريفي
male injured
Hala Hussein Ra’fat al-Rifi حلا حسين رأفت الريفي
13 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (56) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (40) [ collapse]

  • Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, three years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Israel-Palestine Timeline)
  • Members of the al-Telbani, including Reema, her husband, and their children Zaid and Mariam, who were killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @WAFANewsEnglish)
  • Image of a building in Tal Al Hawa damaged by airstrikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, three years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Zaid Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, five years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Reema Saad, four months pregnant, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Image of the damage following airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Middle East Eye)
  • Reema Saad, four months pregnant, and one of her children, who were killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Middle East Eye)
  • Zaid and Mariam, who were killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Middle East Eye)
  • Hala Rifi, 13 years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by New York Times)
  • Image of a building in Tal Al Hawa damaged by airstrikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @LinahAlsaafin)
  • Rescue crews try to put out fires caused by airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Images posted by @Amel_Zarouk)
  • Rescue crews try to put out fires caused by airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Images posted by @Amel_Zarouk)
  • Image of the destruction caused by strikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @waleed_Emad92)
  • Image of the destruction caused by strikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @waleed_Emad92)
  • Image of a building in Tal Al Hawa damaged by airstrikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Roya News)
  • Zaid Mohammad Odah al-Tilbani, five years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Aziza Al Talbani via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Image of Hassan Muhammad Al-Qahwaji, a judge for the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Abdallah Tariq via Facebook)
  • Image of Hassan Muhammad Al-Qahwaji, a judge for the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Mohammed’s Abo Hamam via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Wael Abdel Karim Issa, a leader of the the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Maher Musleh via Facebook)
  • Image of Wael Abdel Karim Issa, a leader of the the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Maher Musleh via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Muhammad Oudeh Al-Talbani, killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Al Wan Al Hawa via Facebook)
  • Hassan Mohammed Hassan Al-Qahwaji, a member of Al-Qassam and allegedly killed by Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Al Qassam Brigade)
  • 1 of 2: Wael Abdel Karim Ali Issa, a member of Al-Qassam and allegedly killed by Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Al Qassam Brigade)
  • 2 of 2: Wael Abdel Karim Ali Issa, a member of Al-Qassam and allegedly killed by Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Al Qassam Brigade)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an apartment being struck in the Tel Al Hawa (تل الهوا) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.508687, 34.432846.

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment being struck in the Tel Al Hawa (تل الهوا) neighbourhood of Gaza City (غَزَّة).

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment being struck in the Tel Al Hawa (تل الهوا) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة).

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @aassdip

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @LinahAlsaafin

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

View documentation of attacks by senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization's intelligence system >>>

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (56) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT029

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

قرب مسجد الإحسان ، مخيم النصيرات, Vicinity of Al Ihsan mosque, Al Nuseirat Camp, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.521920, 34.487516 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four combatants were killed and one to two other civilians were injured in airstrikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. The men that were killed were identified as militants by the Islamic Jihad group, who posted a tribute to the “Mujahid martyrs”.

According to Al Jazeera, the four people were killed in Israeli strikes on Al Nusayrat camp. @SafaPs tweeted that three bodies of those killed arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and later added that a fourth body arrived at the hospital.

@Tartouri99 tweeted the names of the four killed: Hamza Mahmoud Al-Hour 26, Mohamed Abdel Moneim Shaheen 27, Ahmed Moeen Al-Qeraa 24, Ahmed Walid Al-Talaa. Al Mezan added that two others were moderately injured and that all casualties were residents of Nuseirat refugee camp.

Shorouk News reported the death of three people and the injury of one, referring to those affected by the strikes as “civilians” and @NewPress_en designated those targeted as civilians.

Tweets from @michaelh992 and @Jtruzmah identify the men as being militants. In addition, a report from the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, an organization affiliated with the Israeli government, identified Hamza Mahmoud Ibrahim al Hour as being “a military wing operative in an elite unit of the Brigade of the Central Camps” and Mohammad Abd alMoneim Ibrahim Shahin, Mohammad Mu’in Mohammad al-Qaara, and Ahmad Walid Hussein al Talaa as being “military wing operative[s] in the artillery unit of the Brigade of the Central Camps”. Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine verified these claims in posts memorializing all four men as “Mujahid martyrs”.

@fidaazaanin identified the location of the strikes as occurring near the Ihsan Mosque in Nuseirat and WAFA pointed out that the airplanes targeted a group of people on one of the streets in the camp. Al Mezan put the time of the strike at 6:30pm and reported that an Israeli drone fired one missile into the group.

The incident occured at 18:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Image of the four men affected by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @maisarabtihan)
  • Image of the four men affected by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @shms_salama_)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Mohamed Abdel Moneim Shaheen, killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Pal_Shaheed)
  • Hamza Mahmoud Al-Hour, killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)
  • Muhammad Moeen Al-Qara’, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)
  • Hamza Mahmoud Al-Hour, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)
  • Ahmed Walid Al-Tala'a, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)
  • Muhammad Abdel-Moneim Shaheen, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Ihsan mosque (مسجد الإحسان), within the camp of Al Nuseirat (مخيم النصيرات). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Ihsan mosque are: 31.521920, 34.487516.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT022

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

دوار حمودة, Hamoda Roundabout, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.529039, 34.514730 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were killed and another was injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on a car near the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. Sources refer to most of the men killed as members of Fatah but there is no direct association between them and militant activities. Only one of the men was alleged to be a member of a militant organization, Hamas.

According to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), “at approximately 10:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian car near Hamouda intersection, east of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, four were killed in the car and another one was wounded. Those killed were identified as: Tal’at Jameel Mahmoud Aghah (34), ‘Atif ‘Abed al-Rahman Jum’a al-Barawi (47), Nael Khaled Yunis al-Barawi (22), Wael Mahmoud Fares Al-Ghoula (47).”

A tweet from @husam_k2 reported that there were “3 martyrs” in the bombing while @mohammedddaya1identified four people as being killed. @pl24online added that those killed were taken to the Indonesian Hospital.

B’Tselem collected testimony from a ‘Imad Jneid, 36, a father of three who was working on the farm at the time of the incident, who said “On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, I arrived in the morning and started to work as usual. I opened the water valves to water the crops. I heard the loud sound of drones all the time. I was afraid something would happen, so I went inside the administration building. About half an hour later, ‘Atef al-Barawi, a contractor who to comes to harvest the crops, called me. He asked me to open the gate, which is about 350 meters from the building. I rode there on a donkey cart. ‘Atef came in together with two farmers who work with him, Tal’at and Nael. They went in and started picking apricots by the gate. At the same time, Wael al-Ghula, one of the farmers who works on the farm, called and asked me to pick him up from a gas station about 700 meters away from the farm. In the end, ‘Atef went to get him and we all picked peaches together. After that, I went to water some other trees. On the way, I did some weeding and kept the weeds for the donkey. Suddenly, I heard a loud explosion and felt a sharp pain in my left hand and stomach. I called out for someone to help me. I looked over towards the others and saw Wael, Nael, Tal’at and ‘Atef lying on the ground. I tried to get up and go to them, but I only managed to walk a few meters before I fell. I grabbed the door of ‘Atef’s car to get up, but then another missile landed. I tried to get up but fell again, so I crawled on. Then a third missile landed next to me. I kept crawling until I got to the building. I looked down and saw I was bleeding. I called my cousin on my mother’s side, Luai Jneid. I told him what had happened, and he called an ambulance that took me to the Indonesian Hospital. I had surgery on my stomach and they removed some shrapnel. I was hospitalized for nine days and then discharged.”

While PCHR and various other sources, including @MyPalestine0, refer to those killed as civilians and Raya News called them farmers, their status is contested by other sources. A tweet from @gaza_report identifies “five faction members are killed when a missile targets their vehicle Hamouda Roundabout” and @elderofziyon tweeted that the four named above were “Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades members” but there is little evidence that a militant wing of Fatah is still active.

Various sources, including Fatah Al Asif themselves, identify between four and five of the victims as members of Fatah. Tal’at Jameel Mahmoud Aghah (34), ‘Atif ‘Abed al-Rahman Jum’a al-Barawi (47), Wael Mahmoud  Fares Al-Ghoula (47), and Nael Khaled Yunis al-Barawi (22) are specifically named as members of Fatah on the Fatah Al Asif News Network and also in a Facebook post by Abo Jihad but are not referred to as fighters or militants. The “Fatah in the east of Gaza” published a statement “mourning the hand of this hero Wael Mahmoud Al Ghoula” and added that he was “the dearest of its loyal sons who worked in the first uprising in the movement committees and cells.”

The Israeli Defense Forces also released a statement naming only one of the victims, Mahmoud Fares, as the “Head of the Mechanics Desk at the Research, Development and Manufacturing Project” for Hamas. However, a post by Ijdida Martyrs on Facebook identified Fares as a member of Fatah as well, pointing out that other members of Fatah spoke at his funeral and “the Al-Ghoula family extended their thanks and appreciation to the brothers in the Fatah movement”.

The Israeli Defense Forces verified that they killed at least one of the victims of the bombing, Mahmoud Fares. They also mentioned five additional names, who the IDF claimed were Hamas militants: Thafer Shu, Majhad Hadidi, Akram Al’ata, Hassan Aki, Kamal Qu’arika.

However, they did not identify any of the others killed in their statement. All other sources that attributed responsibility for the incident blames Israel for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tal’at Jameel Mahmoud Aghah طلعت جميل فهد ورش اغا
34 years old male killed
‘Atif ‘Abed al-Rahman Jum’a al-Barawi عاطف عبد الرحمن البراوي
47 years old male killed
Nael Khaled Yunis al-Barawi نائل خالد البراوي
22 years old male killed
Wael Mahmoud  Fares Al-Ghoula وائل الغولة
47 years old male killed
Imad Jneid عماد جنيد
36 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–6

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Image of the car that was bombed in Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Gaza_2021)
  • A statement from the Israeli Defense Force that identifies at least one of the victims of the bombing as a member of Hamas. (Image posted by the IDF)
  • Image of Atef Abdel Rahman Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Talaat Jamil Fahad, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Nael Khaled Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Bodies of the three men identified as members of Fatah, Tala'at, Atef, and Nael, killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Abo Jihad via Facebook)
  • Image of Atef Abdel Rahman Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Nael Khaled Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Talaat Jamil Fahad, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Wael Al-Ghoula (Abu Muhammad), an alleged member of Fatah or Hamas, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Aoday Hara via Facebook)
  • Mourners attending the funeral of Wael Al-Ghoula (Abu Muhammad), an alleged member of Fatah or Hamas, who was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Ijdida Martyrs via Facebook)
  • Mourners attending the funeral of Wael Al-Ghoula (Abu Muhammad), an alleged member of Fatah or Hamas, who was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Ijdida Martyrs via Facebook)
  • 1 of 2: Wael Mahmoud Al Ghoula was allegedly killed when he was hit by an Israeli airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Fatah movement east of Gaza, the area of the martyr Salah Khalaf Al-Shuja'iya / Facebook)
  • 2 of 2: Wael Mahmoud Al Ghoula was allegedly killed when he was hit by an Israeli airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Fatah movement east of Gaza, the area of the martyr Salah Khalaf Al-Shuja'iya / Facebook)
  • Photo via The Palestinian National Liberation Movement "Fatah" Martyr Jamil Salman area on Facebook of Talat Jameel Agha, Atef Abdelrahman Al-Barawi and Nael Khaled Al-Barawi who were allegedly killed by an Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a car being struck near Hamoda Roundabout (دوار حمودة) in Beit Lahiya (خان يونس) for which the generic coordinates are: 31.529039, 34.514730. Due to limited information available to Airwars we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

Senior Hamas Terror Organization Officials Neutralized by the IDF:
Mahmoud Fares, as the "Head of the Mechanics Desk at the Research, Development and Manufacturing Project" for Hamas

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–6

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT010

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

شارع الطواحين, Al Tawahin Street, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.492999, 34.476063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed and three others were injured in alleged Israeli strikes on Al Tawahin street in the eastern Shejaiya neighborhood on May 11th 2021.

According to Al Mezan center for Human Rights, “at approximately 9pm, Israel’s air forces targeted a group of people in the Shejaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, killing 34-year-old Mohammed Abdel Rauf Helles“. @RoyaTV also reported that one Palestinian was killed.

Ma`maoun Aldardsawi posted on Facebook an image of a child identified to be Mohammed Helles’ only child and added that after his father was killed, the child kept asking “where is my father?”

Gaza Governorates Electricity Distribution Company also posted that Mohammed Helles was one of the employees and that they were mourning his death.

Cousins of Mohammed Helles,@HellesRiad and @Mohamed28Helles, tweeted that their cousin was killed in Israeli strikes on “the eastern neighborhood of Shejaiya”.

A tweet from @aa_arabic identified “two “serious” injuries after an Israeli bombardment targeting a civilian car in the Shejaiya neighborhood.” It is unclear if the injuries mentioned in this post refer to the same civilians that later died.

B’Tselem collected testimony from Ziad Hiles, 63, a father of nine, Muhammad ‘Abed a-Ra’uf Muhammed Hiles’ cousin, who said “I own a small shop in the neighborhood of a-Shuja’iyeh. About 30 meters away, there’s a shop that used to belong to the martyr Muhammad. On Tuesday, 11 May 2021, at around 9:00 P.M., after the Ramadan meal, I was in my shop. Muhammad came to open up his shop. He always came by before opening. I sat and drank tea with him and with three other young men from my family. About 45 minutes later, Muhammad went to his shop to open it. Just after he got there, I heard a very loud explosion. The whole area was dark because the power was out. I looked towards Muhammad’s shop and saw that the front door had been bombed. I saw him running towards me. His hand was wounded and he was holding it tightly. I called out to him to come quickly and hide in my shop, but he didn’t respond. I guess he didn’t hear me. About a minute after the first missile, before Muhammad could get to my shop, another missile hit him. I was blown backwards from the force of the blast. My son Muhammad, 34, who was next to me, also flew back. I was holding a small flashlight and turned it on to see Muhammad. I crawled over to him and touched his body. I shouted, “Muhammad’s been killed, Muhammad’s been killed.” His body was mutilated. His arms and feet were broken, and everything was full of blood. The neighbors came immediately with a civilian car and took away Muhammad’s body. They also took ‘Ali Jundiyah, who was seriously injured.  About half an hour later, an ambulance arrived and took my son Muhammad and me to a-Shifaa Hospital. I was X-rayed, and they found I had bruises in my pelvic area. I was given a shot and painkillers. My son was injured in his left fingers and had glass shards in his chest. I was discharged that night and went with my wife to my son Tareq’s house in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood. We couldn’t go home because I was in a bad mental state and also because we were afraid of the airstrikes. We stayed with him until the war was over, and only then went back home….He has one son, who’s four years old. Whenever I see him, I cry and hug and kiss him. I see Muhammad’s mother pass by my shop every day, morning and evening, on her way to visit the grave. Every time I see her, it breaks my heart. Muhammad was a good, respectable man. He used to help the poor and anyone who was in need. I miss him very much. I walk around feeling that something’s missing in the world. I hope he enters into the grace of God and goes to heaven.”

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Israel.

The incident occured at 21:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Muhammad Abdel Raouf Helles محمد عبدالرؤوف حلس
34 years old male killed
Ziad Hiles
63 years old male bruises to the pelvic area injured
Muhammad
34 years old male Son of Ziad, injured in his left fingers and had glass shards in his chest injured

The victims were named as:

‘Ali Jundiyah
Age unknown Seriously injured injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Image of Muhammad Abdul Raouf Helles, killed in alleged Israeli strikes on the eastern neighborhood of Shejaia on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @Mohamed28Helles)
  • Image of Muhammad Abdul Raouf Helles, killed in alleged Israeli strikes on the eastern neighborhood of Shejaia on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @ayaassl)
  • Image of Muhammad Yahya Abu Al-Ata Helles, killed in alleged Israeli strikes on the eastern neighborhood of Shejaia on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Mohammad.hilles via Facebook)
  • Child of Muhammad Abdul Raouf Helles, whose father was killed in alleged Israeli strikes on the eastern neighborhood of Shejaia on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ma`maoun Aldardsawi via Facebook)
  • Image of Muhammad Abdul Raouf Helles, killed in alleged Israeli strikes on the eastern neighborhood of Shejaia on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Gaza Governorates Electricity Distribution Company via Facebook)
  • Damage to a vehicle that led to the death of two civilians in alleged Israeli strikes on the eastern neighborhood of Shejaia on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by AMAD via Facebook)
  • Muhammed Helles, killed in strikes on a-Shuja'iyeh neighborhood on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by B'Tselem)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Al Tawahin Street (شارع الطواحين), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.492999, 34.476063. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT012

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

ارض زراعية جنوب غربي دير البلح, Farmland, southwestern Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.417292, 34.351187 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and another was injured in alleged Israeli drone strike on farmland west of Deir al-Balah on May 11th 2021.

WAFA News reported that “the occupation planes targeted a group of citizens west of Deir al-Balah, which led to the death of a citizen and the serious injury of another.” However, Al Haya and various other sources said that two civilians were killed in the bombing.

According to Al Mezan, “on Tuesday evening, 11 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at farmland in the district of Middle Gaza. The attack killed two Palestinian brothers, 21-year-old Munther Abdel Kareem Baraka and 18-year-old Manar, running a family-owned poultry business.” Various other sources give Manar’s age as between 18 and 19 years old and Anadolu Agency listed Manar as being a woman.

A report by the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, an Israeli-based research group, provided information that “the two brothers worked on their father’s poultry farm near the Deir al-Balah beach, situated near “resistance” positions in southwestern Deir al-Balah. It was so close to the outposts that shrapnel fell near the farm every time the positions were attacked. According to the family, they were killed by a missile fired from a UAV when the Israeli Air Force attacked the terrorist positions near the farm”.

@AbdulrahmanQan added that at the time the brothers were killed, they were working on the farm and Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported that “they were in a 14-dunum rented agricultural land that included 3 poultry farms, which belong to their father “Abdel Karim Mohammed Barakah”. Palestinian Center for Human Rights also reported that “at approximately 22:00, their bodies were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.”

B’Tselem interviewed Abd al-Karim Barakah, 65, a father of seven including Munzer [Munther] and Manar, who said “On Tuesday evening, 11 May 2021, I was with my sons Munzer and Manar on our land. We went there despite the war because the chicks needed care. The atmosphere was tense that night. There were airstrikes all the time and drones hovering over us. We sat down under an olive tree, a few meters away from the coops. Munzer said he and Manar would go turn on the gas heaters in the coops to keep the chicks warm, and then come home. Manar was terrified of the airstrikes and held his brother’s hand. They headed to the coop and I stayed under the tree. Everything was dark because there was no power in the area at the time. When they were both 20 meters away from me, the bombings suddenly intensified and they shouted to me that they were leaving. I called out to them, “Leave everything and go home.” Meanwhile, some bales of straw caught fire and I got up quickly to put it out. As I was putting it out, I heard a loud explosion. About 45 minutes later, I was done putting out the fire and called out to my sons, but they didn’t answer. I went in the direction they’d gone and then found them lying side by side about 30 meters away. I sat down next to them and put Munzer’s head on my leg. I called, “Munzer, Munzer,” but he didn’t respond. So I left him and started talking to Manar. I called his name, but he didn’t respond either. I shouted as loud as I could for my neighbors to come, and some members of the Khsewan family, who live nearby, arrived. They picked my children up and took them to the house of a family member who lives 100 meters from the coop. Fifteen minutes later, a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance arrived and took my sons to Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. When we got to the hospital, the doctors examined them and pronounced them dead. We buried them the next day at noon. Munzer and Manar left school in the sixth grade and have worked in the coops with me ever since. They raised the chicks to adulthood and then sold them. They took care of the whole financial side of the business….Since our boys were killed, things at home have been very tough. My wife is suffering immensely. I take her to the doctor almost every day. She has anxiety attacks and screams and cries a lot, especially when people come to console her.”

A tweet from @Mmt90_ reported that the bodies of Munther and Manar were taken to Al-Aqsa Hospital after the strike. Images posted by EastArea on Facebook show the funeral for the brothers, with many people gathered to mourn their death.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Israel.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Munther Abdel Karim Baraka منذر عبدالكريم بركة
21 years old male killed
Manar Abdel Karim Baraka منار عبدالكريم بركة
18 years old male killed

Summary

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

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Image of Munther Abdelkareem Baraka, killed alongside his brother Manar in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)
  • Image of Manar Abdel kareem Baraka, killed alongside his brother Munther in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)
  • Image of Munther Abdelkareem Baraka, killed alongside his brother Manar in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @AbdulrahmanQan)
  • Image of Munther Abdelkareem Baraka, killed alongside his brother Manar in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ali Awaini via Facebook)
  • Image of Munther Abdelkareem Baraka, killed alongside his brother Manar in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @odayfares.baraka via Facebook)
  • Image of Munther Abdelkareem Baraka, killed alongside his brother Manar in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Ahmad S baraka via Facebook)
  • Funeral for brothers Munther and Manar Abdel Karim Baraka, killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by EastArea via Facebook)
  • Funeral for brothers Munther and Manar Abdel Karim Baraka, killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by EastArea via Facebook)
  • Funeral for brothers Munther and Manar Abdel Karim Baraka, killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes west of Deir Al-Balah on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by EastArea via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention farmland in the southwest of Deir Al Balah ( دير البلح). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Deir al Balah are: 31.417292, 34.351187.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (27) [ collapse]