Israel and Gaza 2023

Israel and Gaza 2023

Satellite imagery, screenshot from Google Earth, October 2023

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Incident Code

M21ISPT125

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

حي العطاطرة ، بيت لاهيا, Al Atatira neighborhood, Beit Lahiya, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.560034, 34.485183 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 20th, 2021, at 11:55 AM one man was reported killed and one woman was reported injured by an Israeli drone missile in the al-Atatira neighborhood of Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza. The man was identified as 34-year-old Hashem Shaher al-Shorfa, and the woman was identified as Reham Sayed al-Attar.

Multiple news and Twitter sources in English and Arabic confirmed the death of al-Shorfa and the injury of al-Attar.

A tweet from @uunionnews accused Hashem of being a member of the missile unit of the North Brigade for Al Qassam. However, we were not able to find his name listed amongst “martyrs” in official sources and he is even referred to as a farmer in a tweet from @Hassan_Che2020.

Al Haya reports “a citizen was martyred and another was seriously injured in a missile attack that targeted them in the Al-Atatra area northwest of the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, and they were transferred to the Indonesian Hospital in the town.”

The incident occured at 11:55:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Reham Sayed al-Attar
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Hashem Shaher Al Shorfa, who was killed in strikes on Beit Lahia on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)
  • Hashem Shaher Al Shorfa, who was killed in strikes on Beit Lahia on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Atatira ( العطاطرة), within the town of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.560034, 34.485183. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Atatira ( العطاطرة), within the town of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎).

    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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0126

Incident date

October 11, 2023

Location

قرب أبراج الكرامة, Vicinity of Al Karama Towers, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.544161, 34.466389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 11, 2023, two civilians were reportedly killed and two paramedics injured when an ambulance evacuating injured people near to Al Karama Towers was struck by alleged Israeli strikes. Sources did not provide the names or identities of the victims.

A report published by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights claimed that a number of strikes had hit the Karama neighbourhood from Tuesday 10th October onwards. The strikes were allegedly attributed to the Israeli forces by @HAMADBANALI1 and Al Mezan report. Mezan’s report stated a large number of injured were still under the rubble while strikes continued.

Al-Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza reported the attack on the ambulance, as well as other news agencies such as Shehab and AJA Egypt.

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
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Karama Towers (قرب أبراج الكرامة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.544161, 34.466389. 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
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0035

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

الزوايدة, Az Zawayda, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.429871, 34.370784 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 8th 2023, seven civilians, Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab (35 years old), his wife Rabab Marazeeq Abu Rikab (28 years old), and their five children Nida Abu Rikab (11 years old), Tala Abu Rikab (10 years old), Maria Abu Rikab (eight years old), Sewar Abu Rikab (six years old) and Sham Abu Rikab (four years old) were killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on their home in Az-Zawaida in the central governorate of the Gaza Strip.

Multiple Facebook posts reported the deaths of these civilians as a consequence of the strike, including a post from Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab’s cousin. Photos shared on Twitter/X by @i_07070 showed the bombed out shell of a house surrounded by rubble.

Shehab agency and an Al-Mezan report noted that at the time people were still trapped under the rubble and therefore the final death toll or number of people wounded might increase.

Al-Mezan’s report noted that seven Palestinians were killed including six children, while all other reports identified two adults and five children killed. All names reported were found by Airwars in the Palestinian Ministry of Health database published on October 26th 2023, with corresponding ages confirming that five of those killed were children.

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 (7)

Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab جهاد عبدالله ا ابو ركاب
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802242560
Rabab Maraziq Farhan Abu Rikab رباب مرازيق فرحان ابو ركاب
28 years old female Jihad's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 400899191
Nadha Jihad Abdul Allah Abu Rikab نداء جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
11 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 432190593
Tala Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab تالا جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
10 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 434455499
Maria Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab ماريا جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
8 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 436102685
Sewar Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab سوار جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
6 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 438217895
Sham Jihad Abdullah Aburkab شام جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
4 years old male their child killed Matched to MoH ID 438392193

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (5–6 children1 woman1 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saleh Suleiman facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Mohammed Facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Aref Hassan Facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Aref Hassan Facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MFA Palestine facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Az Zawayda (الزوايده‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Az Zawayda are: 31.429871, 34.370784.

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
    7
  • (5–6 children1 woman1 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0064

Incident date

October 9, 2023

Location

الزيتون, Al Zaytoun neighborhood, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.485479, 34.444885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 9 2023, up to four civilians, including two young sisters, were killed when an alleged Israeli airstrike hit Al-Samuni Street, Gaza City.

The incident took place at around 6.am in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City. The sisters were identified as: six or seven year old Mira Abu Ghanima and five or six year old Lara Abu Ghanima.

On Facebook family and friends announced the children’s deaths and expressed their grief. The sisters’ cousin, Ahmad Mahamed, wrote ‘the eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, and we are saddened by your departure’. Zainab School, also mourned the sisters’ death with ‘sadness and sorrow’ and extended ‘their deepest condolences and sympathy’ for the Abu Ghanima family.

Quds News suggests that two others were killed in addition to the sisters after the alleged attack in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood. Defense for Children International (DCI) described the attack as being on ‘agricultural land’.

Both children’s names were found by Airwars researchers in 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 6:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mira Abu Ghanima ميرا ابو غنيمة
6 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 437291008
Lara Abu Ghanima لارا ابو غنيمة
5 years old female her sister killed Matched to MoH ID 440494672

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Zainab school facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Mahamed facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Zaitoun street facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Jales

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Zaytoun (الزيتون) to the south of Gaza city (غزة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Zaytoun are: 31.485479, 34.444885.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[34.4469881,31.4901083],[34.4504213,31.4923543],[34.4526956,31.4911512],[34.4663426,31.4781225],[34.459133,31.4708755],[34.4528673,31.4713147],[34.4464299,31.4763657],[34.4424818,31.4798793],[34.4386193,31.4830268],[34.4341561,31.4849298],[34.4214963,31.4946094],[34.425144,31.496622],[34.427719,31.497793],[34.431195,31.4993664],[34.4332981,31.4980857],[34.4372034,31.4956706],[34.4410228,31.4930359],[34.4436407,31.4912793],[34.4469881,31.4901083]]]}}]}

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
    Agriculture
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children)
  • 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
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0141

Incident date

October 12, 2023

Location

بالقرب ملعب اليرموك, Vicinity of Yarmouk Stadium, Gaza City, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.522089, 34.451267 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and another injured when an alleged Israeli bomb hit a three-storey residential house belonging to Rajab al-Radhi’a al-Masri on October 12th 2023.

The building was reportedly near the Yarmouk Stadium, in the Beit Lahiya neighborhood, in the center of Gaza City. Multiple sources describe there being a number of civilians killed and injured without providing additional details.

On the evening of October 12th, a Facebook post from Basel Hasan, a cousin of Rajab al-Radhi’a al-Masri, claimed that Rajab was injured and in “moderate” condition, but that his wife, Umm Mohammed was still trapped under the rubble of the three-storey home. The following morning, a Facebook post from a neighbour, Nader Salah Abu Jarad, confirmed that Umm Mohammed had been killed.

No sources reported the full name of Umm Mohammed (Mother of Mohammed).

According to their own post, the Military Medical Services of the Gaza Strip, working out of the Ansar Central Ambulance Station, came to the aid of the al-Radhi’a family. A post from Joumana Al Hamouda pleaded with civil defense crews to rescue the family under the rubble, communicating about those “inside the home of [al-Radhi’a] Rajab family on Al-Rafid Street in Beit Lahiya” which “consists of 3 floors.”

A Facebook post from Ahmad Arfat reported the incident as taking place on Al-Hatabiya Street but a Facebook post from Mokhles al-Masri, a son of the victims Rajab and Umm Mohammed, described it as taking place on al-Radhi’a Street. Both streets are in the Beit Lahiya neighborhood (some sources mentioning “Al-Manshiya neighborhood”). Multiple sources also mentioned that the home was located near Yarmouk Stadium.

Multiple sources claimed the incident took place without prior warning.

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 evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Rajab al-Radhi'a al-Masri رجب الرضيع المصري
Adult male injured
Umm Mohammed ام محمد
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mdsrv

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mdsrv

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mdsrv

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mdsrv

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mdsrv

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Yarmouk Stadium ( ملعب اليرموك), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.522089, 34.451267. 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
    1 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0163

Incident date

October 12, 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

During the evening of Thursday October 12th 2023, local news and social media reported that the Alyan family house in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip was bombed in an alleged attack of Israeli airplanes, resulting in a number of killed and injured civilians.

Facebook user Mohmd Aljmmal reported that according to the local sources there were more than 10 people in the house at the time of the strike. All other sources only alleged that civilians were killed and injured, providing no further information on the victims’ identities and their status. Airwars has used a conservative casualty estimate of at least two civilians killed and two injured and will update the record should more information come to light.

Where sources identified a belligerent, the strike was attributed to the Israeli military. According to a Facebook user Mohmd Aljmmal, the attack happened without a prior warning.

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

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Fatah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: QudsNetAgency

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
    2
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0175

Incident date

October 13, 2023

Location

شارع صلاح الدين والرشيد، بين دوار الدولة ودوار الكويت, Salah Al Din and Al Rashid streets, between the State Roundabout and the Kuwait Roundabout, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.483334, 34.445044 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 15:30 and 17:20 on Friday October 13th 2023, at least 12 civilians, including three women and three children, were killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes and/or artillery strikes. The strikes hit a convoy of citizens fleeing northern Gaza after instructions from the Israeli military to evacuate. Some reports said the number of civilians killed might be more than 70, with at least 150 and up to more than 200 civilians reported injured, including many displaced women, children and elderly people. Airwars was able to identify at least 12 victims killed by name.

According to an investigation carried out by the Financial Times and Airwars, the deadly explosions took place between the State Roundabout and the Kuwait Roundabout near the Bassem Aliwa Steel Company building. The incident occurred the day after Israel told more than one million civilians living in northern Gaza to flee south for their own safety.

A forensic review of the visual material by the FT/Airwars found that the explosions did not hit the truck carrying a large group of Palestinian civilians directly but a group of cars nearby, with the shrapnel likely responsible for the deaths of the majority of the fleeing civilians – who were seated on an uncovered truck.

Israel denied striking the street and suggested Hamas may have planted explosive devices along the evacuation route. Military analysts consulted by the Financial Times and Airwars said the shrapnel appeared consistent with an Israeli strike.

Palestine Alarabiya and Saddam Souad shared gruesome videos on Facebook showing the direct aftermath of the attack – burned cars and dead bodies lying on the ground amidst blood. Financial Times and Airwars Investigations wrote that videos of the aftermath verified by the media showed 12 bodies of men, women and children in Salah-ad-Din street, which Israel later designated a “safe route”. The media outlet also wrote that there were probably two explosions, one of which damaged an ambulance as it attempted to leave the scene with some of the injured.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza confirmed that “large numbers” of dead and wounded, including women and children, had arrived at Al-Shifa Hospital.

Initially Almamlakah TV reported about 40 civilians killed and more than 150 civilians injured, but later the government media office spoke about a higher death toll of 70 victims killed and more than 200 injured in its press statement. Shehab Agency reported about the “death of more than 70 Palestinians and the injury of hundreds.”

Many victims of this attack remained unidentified. Palestinian Media Center shared the images of its crews performing funeral prayers for the unidentified deceased Palestinian civilians over the bodies wrapped in white cloth stained with blood.

Based on Facebook testimonies by family members, Airwars has identified 12 victims killed in the strike.

The deadly attack took the life of the wife of journalist Sameh Murad and injured a number of his family members. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate extended its condolences to the colleague, who worked with Al Arabiya channel and remained at work to cover the events of the subsequent Israeli invasion of Al-Shifa Hospital.

The Amara family lost six family members, according to a Facebook post by Mahmoud Amara. A family relative Ahmad Amara shared that he lost his sisters, 24-year old Hanan Ayman Abdel Karim ‘Amara and 25-year old Safaa Hasan Muhammad ‘Amara, Hanan’s children and her fiance, and her fiance’s brother – 26-year old Adham Ayman Muhammad ‘Amara. Abu Mohammed Alfaran mourned the death of his cousins, Adham Amara and a 25-year old Muhammad Ayman Muhammad ‘Amara. Two young men were featured in the pictures attached to his Facebook post.

Youssef Atef Dabbour Asad mourned the death of his father, his brother Mohammad Dabbour Asad and his nephew Atef Dabbour Asad.

Among the victims of the attack was also “the polite young man”, Ismail Muhammad Al-Taweel, remembered in a tribute by Taweel and Shaar Ffamily on Facebook.

There were also victims killed from the Lanoush family. A heartfelt Facebook testimony by Lanoush Lanoush said”: “My uncle, my cousin, his wife, and my cousin were martyred, and their two sons were seriously injured, and they are in intensive care on their way to Salah al-Din.” However, Airwars did not find names and additional information about these victims.

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

Where sources identified the belligerent, most sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. In particular, BBC news and the Financial Times reported that based on video footage, the explosions were most likely caused by strikes launched by the Israeli military.

Financial Times carried out its own investigation in conjunction with Airwars, quoting a munition expert Desmond Travers who had investigated attacks across the globe including in Gaza. According to him, the attack was most probably carried out with a “precision-guided shrapnel-delivered missile”. He added: “There could have been several of them to create the effect I am seeing on the videos. If that is the case, then the attack would have been carried out by the Israelis.” However, Travers did not exclude the possibility of an improvised explosive device (IED) on the site being used. A spokesperson for the Israeli military, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, however, denied the allegations and stated that “Hamas is behind this, is using the death of Palestinian civilians for its vile political purposes”.

According to the investigation carried out by Al-Arabi Open Source Investigations Unit, the attack happened around three o’clock in the afternoon. The BBC investigation ascertained that the incident happened between 15:30 and 17:20 local time.

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

The incident occured between 3:30 pm and 5:20 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Hanan Ayman Abdel Karim 'Amara حنان عمارة
25 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404759433
Safaa Hasan Muhammad 'Amara صفاء عمارة
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404116071
Child of Hanan Ayman Abdel Karim 'Amara
Child killed
Child of Hanan Ayman Abdel Karim 'Amara
Child killed
Fiance of Hanan Ayman Abdel Karim 'Amara
Adult male killed
Adham Ayman Muhammad 'Amara ادهم عمارة
26 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 403058464
Muhammad Ayman Muhammad 'Amara محمد عمارة
25 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 404119117

Family members (3)

Mohammad Dabbour Asad محمد دبور اسعد
male killed
Atef Dabbour Asad عاطف دبور اسعد
16 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424586741
Father of Youssef Atef Dabbour Asad
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

wife of journalist Sameh Murad زوجة سامح مراد
Adult female killed
Ismail Muhammad Al-Taweel اسماعيل محمد الطويل
44 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 901458349

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 71
  • (3 children3 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    150–201
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: AJA Mubasher facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Marina facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alwajiha facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Taweel and Shaar family facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Atef Dabbour Asad facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Youssef Atef Dabbour Asad facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Mohammed Alfaran facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Mohammed Alfaran facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Media Center facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Media Center facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Media Center facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian Media Center facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: BBC News

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: BBC News

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: BBC News

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Financial Times News

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    Source: Financial Times News

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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention vehicles struck on the Salah Al Din (صلاح الدين) highway, to the south of Gaza city (غزة). The Financial Times, in collaboration with Airwars, narrowed the location down to an area at the following coordinates: 31.483334, 34.445044.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Humanitarian evacuation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 71
  • (3 children3 women6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    150–201
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Israeli Military, Palestinian Militants

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0200b

Incident date

October 14, 2023

Location

الزيتون, Zeitoun, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.485479, 34.444885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Saturday, October 14th 2023, at least 27 members of the Malika family including 11 women, two of whom were pregnant, were killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on a house belonging to the Malika family in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza.

Malek Malika, a relative of the family, mourned the death of his “uncles and aunts, their sons, daughters and grandchildren”, and included their names – Muhammad Assad Malika (Abu Rashid), his wife Ahlam al-Sharbasi, their son Abdul Rahman Muhammad Malika, their daughters Maryam Muhammad Malika, Khadija Muhammad Malika, Aisha Muhammad Malika, Fatima Muhammad Malika, their pregnant daughter-in-law Batoul Murtaja, Ahmed Assad Malika, his wife Halima Rizq al-Hattab (Umm Osama), their sons Mahmoud Ahmed Malika, Omar Ahmed Malika, Alaa Ahmed Malika, Bilal Ahmed Malika, their daughters Nour Ahmed Malika, Mona Ahmed Malika, their pregnant daughter-in-law Malak al-Zamili, Hamdan Asaad Malika, his wife Elham Rizq al-Hattab, their sons Adam Hamdan Malika, Muhammad Hamdan Malika, their daughter Shaima Hamdan Malika, Amna Asaad Malika, her daughter Hoda Yahya Siyam, her son Muhammad Yahya Siam, Nafya Asaad Malika, and her daughter Marwa Amjad Abu al-Naga. These names were corroborated by Rabeha Nabeel and Aya Karim on social media.

Palestinian News and Shadi Press reported on the bombing, stating that the “Malika family was targeted in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, east of Gaza”. Sources on social media Ahmad Mazen and al Sharawmo attributed the bombing to Israeli forces. Mahmoud Harara reported that the burial ceremony for 15 of the victims from the Malika family took place at the Shujaiya cemetery, and included a video of the ceremony. Heba Shaban mourned the death of 25 members of the Malika family, while Ayman Malika, a relative of the family, said “More than twenty martyrs from the Malika cousin family died”, adding that the bombing came without warning. Sources did not specify any injuries.

Elham Rizq al-Hattab was a lawyer, according to a source on social media who offered their condolences, and Halima Rizq al-Hattab was killed with her entire family save for two of her sons. Muhammad Malika was mourned by his colleague at the Palestine Secondary School for Boys named Mahmoud Maher Abu Sharkh, saying he was a “A sweetheart, a beloved colleague with a beautiful smile.” Lama om Yazam and Ahmed Khodeh revealed that among the victims killed was a woman who was nine months pregnant, with the latter sharing a heartbreaking video of the baby that was killed – the identity of the mother is unclear as two of the victims killed, Batoul Murtaja and Malak al-Zamili, were reportedly pregnant. Ahmed Khodeh reported that the paramedic Mahmoud al-Sarhi who arrived at the site of the bombing found out that his fiancee, who had sent him a text the night of the bombing, was among those killed. Mahmoud mourned his fiancee on social media, saying “She has moved to the mercy of God Almighty (Princess) ‘Noor Ahmed Assad Malika’, my fiancée and my soul” – they were supposed to be married the following week.

Airwars was able to find all but three of the named victims among 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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (27)

Muhammad Asaad Malaka محمد اسعد ملكة
55 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 954893749
Ahlam Al-Sharbasi احلام الشرباصي
50 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 950608018
Abdul Rahman Muhammad Malaka عبد الرحمن محمد ملكة
11 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 433163672
Maryam Muhammad Malika مريم محمد ملكة
24 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404604415
Khadija Muhammad Malika خديجة محمد ملكة
22 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 407055045
Aisha Muhammad Malika عائشة محمد ملكة
14 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 425892353
Fatima Muhammad Malika فاطمة محمد ملكة
17 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 424394914
Batoul Murtaja بتول مرتجى
19 years old female pregnant killed Matched to MoH ID 409914975
Ahmed Asaad Malika احمد اسعد ملكة
50 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 931695688
Halima Rizq Al-Hattab حليمة رزق الحطاب
50 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 954747283
Mahmoud Ahmed Malika محمود احمد ملكة
30 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 804672889
Omar Ahmed Malika عمر احمد ملكة
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400564993
Alaa Ahmed Malika علاء احمد ملكة
24 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 405259896
Bilal Ahmed Malika بلال احمد ملكة
15 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 421208208
Nour Ahmed Malika نور احمد ملكة
27 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 402263669
Mona Ahmed Malika منى احمد ملكة
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 432265197
Malak Al-Zamili ملاك الزميلي
24 years old female pregnant killed Matched to MoH ID 405434580
Hamdan Asaad Malika حمدان اسعد ملكة
46 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 901652321
Elham Rizq Al-Hattab الهام رزق الحطاب
45 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 900656414
Adam Hamdan Malika ادم حمدان ملكة
16 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 421849217
Muhammad Hamdan Malaka محمد حمدان ملكة
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 435072376
Shaima Hamdan شيماء حمدان ملكة
19 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 421159443
Amna Asaad Malika امنة اسعد ملكة
killed
Hoda Yahya Siyam هدى يحيى صيام
female killed
Muhammad Yahya Siam محمد يحيى صيام
31 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 803548510
Nayfa Asaad Malika نايفة اسعد ملكة
44 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 903490837
Marwa Abu Al-Naga مروى ابو النجا
female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27
  • (7–8 children11–12 women7 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Esams Family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: M.k.si

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: M.k.si

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: A.Mahmoud Maher Abu Sharkh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hamad s bakroun

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed khodeh journalist

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Zeitoun (الزيتون) neighbourhood south of Gaza city (غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.485479, 34.444885. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[34.4469881,31.4901083],[34.4504213,31.4923543],[34.4526956,31.4911512],[34.4663426,31.4781225],[34.459133,31.4708755],[34.4528673,31.4713147],[34.4464299,31.4763657],[34.4424818,31.4798793],[34.4386193,31.4830268],[34.4341561,31.4849298],[34.4214963,31.4946094],[34.425144,31.496622],[34.427719,31.497793],[34.431195,31.4993664],[34.4332981,31.4980857],[34.4372034,31.4956706],[34.4410228,31.4930359],[34.4436407,31.4912793],[34.4469881,31.4901083]]]}}]}

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
    27
  • (7–8 children11–12 women7 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]