Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

PALIS018

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Southern, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Several rockets fired allegedly by Al-Qassam Brigades hit the Israeli city of Ashkelon, according to multiple sources, injuring at least two civilians.

One rocket directly hit and penetrated the lower floors of a seven story building. An unnamed adult male victim, reported by different sources to be either 57 or 60, was seriously injured in the attack, sustaining a shrapnel wound to his stomach. Several sources indicated that he was a resident of the stricken building.

According to Haaretz, a 90 year old civilian also reportedly sustained a light injury to their head, which Ashkelonim News reported happened on their way to a bomb shelter or protected area, though it was unclear if this preceded or was during the event itself.

Both of the injured were taken to Barzilai hospital, where the seriously injured man received surgery. Arabic RT news reported that the Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed that they had launched multiple rockets towards Ashkelon on this date. Reports suggested that as many as 168 rockets were fired at the city that day.

Whilst a number of sources claimed the incident occurred Thursday evening, one claimed it occurred just after 2pm.

The incident occured in the evening.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the city of Ashkelon (אשקלון). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ashkelon are: 31.666667 34.566667.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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.
  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • 'The Hebrew media describes it as the "black night" of the city. #Watch Al-Qassam Brigades fire about 150 missiles at Ashkelon tonight in response to the aggression'
  • A man shows the damage to a room caused by a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkalon, May 13th 2021 (Image via YNET)
  • Damage to the inside of a residential building hit by a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkalon, May 13th 2021 (Image via YNET)
  • The residential building reported to have been hit by a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkalon, May 13th 2021 (Image via YNET)
  • 'This is what direct damage to Ashkelon through security cameras looks like.'
  • Damage to wall and cars from a Palestinian rocket attack on Ashkelon on May 13th 2021 (image via Kan-Ashkelon)

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • 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.
  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (25) [ collapse]