Incident Code

PALIS026

Location

عسقلان, אשקלון, Ashkelon, Southern, Israel

Geolocation

31.666667, 34.566667
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: PALIS020)

Rockets fired by Palestinian militants into the Israeli city of Ashkelon caused damage to a number of buildings and cars, physically injuring three civilians including an eight month old child.

Multiple reports state that all those physically injured sustained their injuries whilst seeking shelter from the rockets. This included an eight month old child who sustained minor injuries when their mother fell whilst rushing to a bomb shelter, a 75 year old male who sustained a fracture to his hand and a 71 year old victim. All three were treated at Barzilai Hospital, where several reports state that two civilians aged 19 and 26 were also treated for anxiety in relation to the rocket attack.

Al Qassam claimed responsibility for the attack, publishing in their Telegram channel that “a number of buildings were damaged and a vehicle caught fire after the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon, Ashdod and Beersheba”.

One source claims that a rocket directly penetrated a Synagogue and went through to the Rabbi’s apartment next door. Another source claimed that a rocket hit the roof of a house whilst the occupants, two children and their father, were inside but in their safe room and unharmed.

Two sources report that the incident occurred around midday.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Artillery
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported injured
3
1 Child, 1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.666667, 34.566667. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Palestinian Militants Assessment
Known belligerent
Palestinian Militants
Palestinian Militants position on incident
Not yet assessed
Palestinian Militants Strike Report
16 May, 2021 14:03 Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Al-Qassam Brigades are now launching large rocket salvoes to the areas of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba, Sderot, the Ra’im base, and the 8200 wiretapping base, in response to the heinous massacre against children, women and civilians in Gaza City, and the attack on Sheikh Jarrah’s people and their sympathizers 14:29 Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades The enemy admits that a number of buildings were damaged and a vehicle caught fire after the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon, Ashdod and Beersheba

Media From Sources (10)