Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

PALIS017

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

نتيف عغسرا, Netiv HaAsara, Israel

Geolocation

31.570833, 34.539444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured in declared mortar attacks from Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, in Gaza to Israel whilst coming to the aid of Israeli military personnel in Netiv HaAsara, southern Israel on May 12th, 2021, according to local reports.

Gil Timor, the Deputy Chairman of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council, was injured in the shoulder by shrapnel whilst attempting to rescue dead and wounded soldiers from a jeep, said Matan Tzuri, a journalist with Ynet.

The Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigade issued a military statement, which declared its responsibility for the attack on a “Zionist “Defender” jeep near the usurped Netiv Hasara in the northern Gaza Strip.” It reported that the result was “the enemy admitted destroying the jeep, killing two soldiers and wounding others.”

As well as declaring “two dead after Al-Qassam destroyed a Zionist enclave with a Kornet missile,” Al-Qassam also released a statement which declared that they used “21 mortar shells of different calibers” for this attack.  Other sources also reported that two soliders were killed in this attack.

The Times of Israel reported the incident began when Hamas targeted an Israeli military jeep using an anti-tank guided missile killing one soldier and injuring two others. Following the attack mortars targeted the area. Several Arabic-language media sources noted that Mr Timor’s injuries were the result of a mortar.

Itamar Revivo, a colleague of Mr Timor told 13 News: “In the morning we received a warning about a possible event around Zikim, we toured the place and continued to another village, when suddenly we heard a loud explosion and received a report of a vehicle being hit. We started evacuating the wounded, and the place began to be significantly attacked.”

Following the incident a video was posted online bearing the logo of the al-Qassam Brigade which purported to show moment of the strike against the jeep.

The Barzilai Medical Center received four patients following the incident, including the soldiers, according to local journalist Emanuel Fabian.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Gil Timor
Adult male Deputy Chairman of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants
  • Known target
    Israeli military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The Israeli soldier killed in the earlier strike on Netiv HaAsara on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @AlmakdesyMedia)
  • The deputy head of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council, "Gil Timor", was seriously injured during a mortar attack on Netiv Ha'asara (Image posted by SadaMisr via Facebook)
  • The deputy head of the Ashkelon Beach Regional Council, "Gil Timor", being treated for a shrapnel wound to the shoulder following strikes on Netiv Ha'asara on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Matan Zori via Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Netiv HaAsara (נתיב העשרה), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.570833, 34.539444. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

10:42
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
{Fight them; God will torment them at your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the hearts of believing people}

Military statement issued by
..::: Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades :::..

Al-Qassam Brigades destroyed a Zionist enclave in the northern Gaza Strip with a Kornet missileصار

With God’s help and guidance, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades declare its responsibility for the following jihadist mission:

Today: Wednesday Date: 30 Ramadan 1442 AH corresponding to 05/12/2021 AD Time: 10:29

Operation: Kornet guided missile attack

The target: a Zionist "Defender" jeep near the usurped Netiv Hasara in the northern Gaza Strip.

Result: the enemy admitted to destroying the jeep, killing two soldiers and wounding others.

This comes within the framework of the "Sword of Jerusalem" battle and in response to the crimes of the occupation against our people in Gaza, Jerusalem, the West Bank and the occupied interior.

It is a jihad, victory or martyrdom.
Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades - Palestine
Wednesday 30 Ramadan 1442 AH
Corresponding to 05/12/2021AD

10:58
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades

Two dead after Al-Qassam destroyed a Zionist enclave with a Kornet missile
https://alqassam.ps/arabic/news/details/16742


11:05
Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the vicinity of the enclave that they targeted with the Kornet in the northern Gaza Strip with 21 mortar shells of different calibers.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants
  • Known target
    Israeli military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS016

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A building sustained damage and dozens of injuries were reported, including up to 7 children, due to alleged Hamas rockets fired from Gaza at a hospital in the city of Ashkelon on May 12th, 2021, according to media reports.

Haartz reported that 19 people were treated for injuries at Barzilai Hospital due to rocket strikes within the city. It was unclear how many of these injuries were linked to the strike in question. In total 35 people were treated at the hospital (including seven children) according to Haaretz, 16 injuries were related to incidents that took place outside the city.

Multiple Arabic language sources, including @OMN_4 and @alosbou, put the toll of injured at 26.

On May 12th Al Mayadeen reported that the Al Quds Brigade, the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, had released a statement saying it had targeted cities and towns including Ashkelon with dozens of heavy rocket salvos. Al Mayadeen reported that prior to the targeting of these areas the group had announced that it would surprise the settlements with a red night at 9 pm.

TRT Arabic was the first outlet to publish images from the scene of the strike at 9:57 PM local time.

The incident was first reported on May 12, 2021 at 9:57 pm by .

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    19–26
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Damage to buildings from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search through debris from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search through buildings from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search through debris from shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @TRTArabi)
  • Rescue workers search buildings following shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Rescue workers search homes following shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Rescue workers treat the wounded following shelling of Ashkelon on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a building being struck in the city of Ashkelon (אשקלון), 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.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

19:05
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
21:00 Al-Qassam Brigades again launched a missile strike on Ashdod and Ashkelon with dozens of missiles.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    19–26
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS015

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

سديروت, Sderot, Israel

Geolocation

31.531449, 34.585562 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed and three to seven family members, including a woman and two children, were reported injured when a rocket declared by Hamas’s militant wing allegedly hit a residential street in Sderot, southern Israel on May 12th, 2021, according to local reports.

Ido Avigal, 5, was killed whilst he and his family were taking shelter in a safe room, said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The New York Times reported that a missile hit a building close to his aunt’s home causing a piece of shrapnel to penetrate the room’s thick glass window striking Ido in the stomach.

Paramedics, Aviv Shenor and Yossi Halabi, told Ynet: “When we arrived at the scene, we saw an attack on the fifth floor of a six-story building. No injuries were identified in the building, but in a nearby building on the fourth floor we noticed shrapnel penetrating the window of the house and when we went up to the apartment we saw an unconscious child with shrapnel wounds. We gave him life-saving medical treatment and performed CPR on him, and after urgent treatment, we quickly evacuated him to the hospital while CPR continued.”

The Magen David Adom (MDA) medical service said its staff provided medical care and evacuated seven injured people to Barzilai Hospital. The Jerusalem Post reported that among the injured were Shani Avigal, Ido mother, his six year old sister and five members of the extended family including his six-year-old cousin. Shani Avigal was injured by shrapnel to her upper body and a child was said to be in a stable condition having been treated for shrapnel wounds, according to the MDA.

@PalinfoAr originally reported that only three civilians were injured in the strikes.

On May 26th Shani Avigal told The New York Times Ido had suffered with anxiety since the start of the conflict and did not want to sleep, shower or eat alone, she described her son as caring and loving.

On the May 12th El Watan published an announcement by the group Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades: “In continuation of the response to the assassination of leaders and the targeting of civilian facilities, the Qassam Brigades bombard the Zionist Sderot with 20 missiles.”

Reports of the attack began circulating at approximately 19:45, although the Al-Qassam Brigades released a statement at 18:36 which stated, “in continuation of the response to the assassination of leaders and targeting of civilian facilities, Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped Zionist Sderot with 20 rockets.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ido Avigal
5 years old male killed
Shani Avigal
Adult female injured
Sister of Ido
6 years old female injured
Cousin of Ido
6 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Damage to a building and fire caused by strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Shrapnel from a missile strike on Sderot penetrated the window of the shelter that Ido was hiding in and killed him on may 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Times of Israel)
  • Damage to a building and fire caused by strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Times of Israel)
  • Ido Avigal, 5, was killed whilst he and his family were taking shelter in a safe room following strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Times of Israel)
  • Damage to a building and fire caused by strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @qudsn)
  • Injuries caused by a rocket fired from Gaza at a house in Sderot Several people, including a child, were injured after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a building in Sderot on Wednesday. Ambulances and officers were on site to provide care for the wounded
  • Rescue workers treat the wounded following strikes on Sderot on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Alkoufiya News)
  • Students of a school in southern Israel gathered at the home of 6-year-old Ido Avigal, who was killed by a terrorist rocket fired by Hamas last week, and sang the Israeli national anthem “Hatikva” (Hope). (Image posted by Standwithusarabic via Facebook)
  • Statement from @UnitedHatzalah, posted by @samuelsokol
  • Shrapnel from a missile strike on Sderot penetrated the window of the shelter that Ido was hiding in and killed him on may 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Sderot (שדרות ). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down this location to these exact coordinates: 31.531449, 34.585562.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in Sderot (שדרות )

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged street view image from 2012 shows the area undeveloped.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audio-material from sources.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants

18:32
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
One dead, a number of wounded, and heavy material losses were caused by the rockets fired by the Al-Qassam Brigades on Sderot and Ashkelon.


18:36
In continuation of the response to the assassination of leaders and targeting of civilian facilities, Al-Qassam Brigades bombed the usurped Zionist Sderot with 20 rockets.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS014

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

دهمش‎, Dahmash, Israel

Geolocation

31.943672, 34.849476 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A father and teenage daughter were killed when an alleged Hamas rocket struck the village of Dahmash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021, according to local and international media reports.

Khalil Awad, 52, and Nadin Awad, 16, were killed on Wednesday morning when a rocket fired from Gaza landed close to their home, said Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Arafat Ismail, Mr Khalil’s brother, told Ynet that the father and daughter were killed while they, and members of their family, were eating breakfast before dawn as part of the Ramadan fast. Aswat reports that Mrs. Awad and her eldest son and other daughter survived, and were taken to hospital for treatment as a result of the shock.

The status of the predominantly Arab village, which has a population of 1,000 residents, is subject to a relocation scheme. As such the population does not have access to publicly available shelters similar to those found elsewhere in Israel, according to Aswat.

Suzan Awad, the wife and mother of the victims, described the incident to Human Rights Watch: “Our village is totally neglected, and we don’t have basic services and infrastructure such as [bomb] shelters. The two nights before the attack, we didn’t know what to do and where to go. We ran in and out of the house and sometimes we ran into the street to look for shelter but there was no shelter in the area. We didn’t know where to hide…. That night, we couldn’t sleep from the sound of the rockets. The barrage of rockets in the neighbourhood was so heavy and strong and, as always, we didn’t know where to hide ourselves. Many times in this situation, we don’t feel safe staying at home, so we escape outside but without knowing where to go exactly. … That night, Khalil and Nadine were terrified, the sound of the rockets falling were so close, so they decided to leave the house and seek protection outside at the entrance of the house. We live in a ground-floor home with only three steps at the entrance, so they decided to stand at the stairs and stick to the wall. They did that because we always hear that, in this kind of situation, it’s recommended to hide in the stairway, but we do not have a stairway. The only stairs we have are three steps at the entrance. But the rocket fell on the ground outside, next to the entrance where they stood, a few meters from them. It killed them immediately. It also caused huge damage to our house”.

Claims that residents of the village had requested protection prior to the strike were refuted by the Sdot Dan local council, according to Haaretz.

Mrs Awad told Human Rights Watch her husband was “a loving, giving, and modest man” who worked hard to provide for his family. She described her daughter as an outstanding student who dreamt of becoming a doctor. Following the incident the father and daughter were taken to Assaf Harofeh Hospital where they were pronounced dead, reported Almadar.

The Times of Israel described Hamas as being behind the attack.

Aswat reported that shrapnel from the strike caused severe damage to neighboring houses and injured ten heads of sheep. Images from the scene also showed extensive damage to several parked cars.

The incident occurred at approximately 03:00.

The incident occured at approximately 3:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khalil Awad
52 years old male killed
Nadin Awad
16 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @AlmakdesyMedia)
  • Image of Nadin Awad, 16, who was killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @Eyad80412605)
  • A car that was struck and one of the victims of the shelling of the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @galebsami)
  • Teddy bear belonging to Nadin Awad, 16, who was killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by @ofirgendelman)
  • Rescue crews arrive to take the victims of the shelling of Lod on May 12th to a nearby hospital. (Image posted by Rashid Armosh)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Rescue crews arrive to take the victims of the shelling of Lod on May 12th to a nearby hospital. (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Rescue crews arrive to take the victims of the shelling of Lod on May 12th to a nearby hospital. (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Vehicle fire caused by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Palestine.Yaffa via Facebook)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by MohamadNageAmara via Facebook)
  • Residents try to put out a vehicle fire caused by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Khatabnasar via Facebook)
  • The tombs of Khalil Awad and NAdine Awad, who were killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Arab48
  • Image of Khalil Awad, 52, who was killed when a rocket struck the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Israel MFA)
  • Cars destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Haaretz)
  • A car destroyed by rocket strikes on the predominantly Arab village of Dahamash, south of Tel Aviv, in the early hours of May 12th, 2021 (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention house being struck in the village of Dahmash (دهمش‎) near the city of Lod (اللد), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.943672, 34.849476. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS009

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

شارع رامبام ، كوخاف حتصفون ، عسقلان , Rambam St., Kochav Hatzafon, Ashkelon, Israel

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians, including two children, were reported injured when a rocket struck a residential apartment building on Rambam Street in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel at 6am on May 11th, 2021.

Sources differ regarding the number of civilians injured in the attack and the severity of their injuries. Amongst the injured were a family of four.

A 40-year-old man was described as having sustained injuries ranging from moderate to severe. The sources Mariv and Kan Darom said this was the result of a head wound, while Magen David Adom said he sustained cuts to his limbs from broken glass.

A woman, 39, named Marina, was described as having sustained light to moderate injuries. Two children aged 12 and 6, were described as having been lightly injured. A 63-year-old man was described as in a light to moderate condition and an 82-year-old was described as having sustained light injuries. Paramedic Israel Lugsi told the source Kan Darom that “this is a direct hit on a residential building. When we arrived at the scene we conducted searches in the apartments and located a number of wounded who were hit by shattered glass fragments, 2 men were moderately injured and 4 lightly. We took them to ambulances and vehicles to the intensive care unit, provided them with medical treatment that included dressing and stopping bleeding and evacuated them to the hospital when their condition was stable. Two victims of anxiety who suffered from breathing difficulties were also treated and evacuated to the hospital.”

Marina, a resident of Ashkelon whose husband and children were injured, described the attack to WallaNews: “The ceiling collapsed, I saw my husband crawling and all blood. It was six in the morning, there was an alarm and we put the children on mattresses in the hallway. I left the bedroom and my husband did not have enough, there were many explosions.” The strikes also caused the plaster ceiling to fall, injuring the children.

All the patients were transferred to Barzilai Hospital for treatment.

The mayor of Ashkelon, Tomer Glam, arrived at the scene of the fall and talked to the residents, according to Kan Darom. “A difficult morning in Ashkelon due to a heavy barrage of rockets towards the city that cause direct damage to two buildings in the city and to casualties of varying degrees of difficulty,” said Glam. “The security reality in which we live and how important it is to obey the Home Front Command’s guidelines that have been proven to save lives.”

France24 quoted residents as saying “The sirens woke us up around five in the morning (0200 GMT),” said Israeli Shelly Belyaev, whose apartment building was severely damaged and its facade turned black. “We had to hide in the wardrobe because there was no shelter in the house,” she says. Belyaev recalls how “there was a very powerful explosion, I had never heard such a sound before, but I quickly realized that a missile had landed here. I went out and was in shock,” she continued.

Al Qassam posted in their Telegram group “Al-Qassam Brigades is now directing a major missile strike on the occupied city of Ashkelon, in response to targeting the safe house on the heads of its residents west of Gaza City, and if the enemy repeats targeting civilian safe houses, we will make Ashkelon a hell. The enemy admits that 7 of its [settlers] were wounded, and electricity was cut off in large areas as a result of the intensive Qassam bombardment of Ashkelon.”

Images from the scene show extensive damage to at least one apartment as well as other apartments in the building and a vehicle.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members

The victims were named as:

Marina
39 years old female injured
Name unknown
40 years old male injured
Name unknown
64 years old male injured
Name unknown
12 years old injured
Name unknown
6 years old injured
Name unknown
82 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Image caption: Update on the missile hit Ashkelon area: MDA medics and paramedics provide medical treatment and evacuate 6 injured to Barzilai Hospital, including 2 in moderate condition, a 40-year-old man and a 63-year-old man with shattered glass to their limbs and 4 in mild condition (via @Mdais)
  • Image reportedly showing the inside of an apartment damaged in a rocket attack in the Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11th, 2021 (image via @AviMayer)
  • Image caption: As non-stop barrages of rockets continue to be fired toward southern Israel, an apartment building in Ashkelon was hit. 6 civilians were injured (image via @IDF)
  • Image showing damage to a vehicle shared in relation to the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack on an apartment in Askelon (image via kan-ashkelon)
  • Image showing damage to an apartment shared in relation to the May 11th, 2021 rocket attack on an apartment in Askelon (image via kan-ashkelon)
  • The scene of the incident in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. Photo: MDA Spokeswoman
  • The second house was damaged in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. Photo: Ashkelon Municipality Spokeswoman
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Damage to a home in Ashkelon from Hamas rockets on May 11, 2021. (Image posted in Al Qassam Telegram)
  • Rescue crews work to put out a car on fire following strikes on Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image taken by Reuters)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an apartment building on Rambam Street (רח’ רמב”ם) in Ashkelon (אשקלון) being struck. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.672725, 34.586305.

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment building on Rambam Street (شارع رامبام) in Ashkelon (عسقلان) being struck.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Street View

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Date taken:
    May 11, 2021

    Imagery:
    Yossi Fartouk

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Date taken:
    May 11, 2021

    Imagery:
    Yossi Fartouk

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    6–8

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

03:38
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
Al-Qassam Brigades is now directing a major missile strike on the occupied city of Ashkelon, in response to targeting the safe house on the heads of its residents west of Gaza City, and if the enemy repeats targeting civilian safe houses, we will make Ashkelon a hell

04:02
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
#Urgently
Sirens sound in the city of Ashkelon without stopping... and rocket fire continues from the Gaza Strip

04:37
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
The enemy admits that 7 of its [settlers] were wounded, and electricity was cut off in large areas as a result of the intensive Qassam bombardment of Ashkelon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS011

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel, Israel

Geolocation

31.667186, 34.557510 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two women were killed when a Hamas militant rocket struck an apartment building on Sderot David Ben Gurion street in the city of Ashkelon, southern Israel on May 11th, 2021, according to several sources.

The Times of Israel said, “the deadly rocket attack directly struck a home where an elderly woman and her caregiver, 32-year-old Soumya Santosh, lived. Santosh was killed while her elderly charge, 80, was hospitalized in serious condition, according to Hebrew media reports”.

On February 6, 2022, the elderly woman injured in the attack, Naomi Perlman, a 91-year-old Holocaust survivor who was seriously wounded at her Ashkelon home by shrapnel, died from her injuries.

According to several sources Santosh from Kerala had been living in Israel for seven years. She was survived by a husband and nine-year-old son.

Mrs Santosh’s brother-in-law told The Week India, “she was talking to her husband Santosh over a video call in the evening when the incident took place. My brother heard a huge sound during the video call. Suddenly the phone got disconnected. Then we immediately contacted fellow Malayalees working there. Thus, we came to know about the incident.”

The Washington Post reported that Naomi Pearlman was a “a Holocaust survivor originally from Poland” and that the blast had caused both of her legs to be amputated. Her son, Shuki, was quoted as saying “She survived the Holocaust, raised a wonderful family. If there was anyone who deserved to be called the ultimate survivor, it was her.”

Jerusalem Post added that Pearlman was being treated at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon for the injuries she sustained in May 2021 and that she is survived by her son, her daughter, Tzipi, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, including one who was born last month. At the time of the shelling, her home did not have a shelter and the closest was a minute’s run away.

The incident was part of a series of rocket strikes on the morning of May 11th.
Channel 12 reported that the rocket shelter was at least a minute’s run away from the woman’s home and the did not manage to reach it in time.

Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed they carried out the strikes that resulted in casualties, posting in their Telegram channel that “A while ago, Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded occupied Ashkelon with a salvo of S40 missiles” and a bit later “The occupation officially acknowledges the killing of 2 of its [settlers] as a result of the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon.”

The incident is believed to have occurred between 05:00 and 13:40 local time.

The incident occured at approximately 6:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Soumya Santosh
32 years old female killed
Naomi Perlman
91 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • This image reportedly shows Sumaya Santosh who died in a strike in Askelon, Israel, on May 11th, 2021 (image via @alqudsnewspaper)
  • Image reportedly showing the son of Soumya Santosh holding a pin of the Israeli and Indian flags at her funeral (image via Asaf Pozailov)
  • Image caption: The damage to the building where the woman who was killed in Ashkelon lived, today the photo (via Ofer Vaknin)
  • Rescue crews helping a victim of the strikes on Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Arabic RT)
  • Rescue crews at a home affected by airstrikes on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by Shihab Post)
  • Damage to a home affected by airstrikes in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Damage to a home affected by airstrikes in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • Damage to a home affected by airstrikes in Ashkelon on May 11, 2021. (Image posted by @PalinfoAr)
  • A heavily damaged house is pictured at a targeted residential neighbourhood in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11, 2021, as rockets are fired by the Hamas movement from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. - Rockets fired from Gaza killed two women in the southern Israeli city of Asheklon, the Magen David Adom emergency service told AFP, after Palestinians militants unleashed a massive barrage. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
  • Israeli security forces at the scene where a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit a house in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, on May 11, 2021. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90
  • A heavily damaged house is pictured at a targeted residential neighbourhood in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on May 11, 2021, as rockets are fired by the Hamas movement from the Gaza Strip towards Israel. - Rockets fired from Gaza killed two women in the southern Israeli city of Asheklon, the Magen David Adom emergency service told AFP, after Palestinians militants unleashed a massive barrage. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an apartment building being struck in Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these exact coordinates: 31.667186, 34.557510.

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment building being struck in Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Ynet

  • Distribution of tags in available Google Street View imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Maps

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

12:46
A while ago, Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded occupied Ashkelon with a salvo of S40 missiles

12:58
The enemy admits that a building in Ashkelon was hit and several injuries occurred, including serious cases, as a result of the recent Qassamese bombing with Sejil missiles

13:14
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
The occupation officially acknowledges the killing of 2 of its [settlers] as a result of the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS010

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

عسقلان, Ashkelon, Israel

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One Israeli civilian was killed and as many as seven injured when alleged Hamas militants fired a rocket struck the city of Ashkelon southern Israel on the 11th May, 2021, according to local reports.

Nella Gurevitz (between 52 and 57 years old) was killed and her husband injured, when a rocket reportedly fired by Hamas struck their apartment according to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Israeli media outlet Ynet named Mrs Gurevitz husband as Gregory, and described his injuries as light.

BelarusFeed reported that Nella and her husband were from Belarus and “the mayor’s office also clarified that Nella Gurevich was 57 years old and that the couple immigrated to Israel in 1990. The journalist of the Israel Segodnya newspaper contacted the neighbours of the family, who said that the couple was always friendly with them, but led a rather secluded life, the spouses did not have children. They confirmed that the couple came to Israel from Belarus.”

“I know Nellie as a very sympathetic person, she always tried to support me and other people. We shared interests in music, we both once graduated from a music school. It was a shock for me to find out that she was dead, I will miss her,” said Nella’s friend Anna Litrovnik.

As many as five other people were lightly injured by shrapnel, according to Haaretz.

Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed they carried out the strikes that resulted in casualties, posting in their Telegram channel that “A while ago, Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded occupied Ashkelon with a salvo of S40 missiles” and a bit later “The occupation officially acknowledges the killing of 2 of its [settlers] as a result of the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Nella Gurevitz
52 years old female killed
Gregory
male Husband of Nella injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Nella Gurevitz (52) of Ashkelon, was killed in the Hamas rocket attack on Ashkelon May 11, 2021. She was in her apartment together with her husband when a rocket hit her building. (Image posted by Ynet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city Ashkelon (عسقلان), 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.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Palestinian Militants
  • Palestinian Militants position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    1
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    1

Original strike reports

Palestinian Militants
Official source

12:46
A while ago, Al-Qassam Brigades bombarded occupied Ashkelon with a salvo of S40 missiles

12:58
The enemy admits that a building in Ashkelon was hit and several injuries occurred, including serious cases, as a result of the recent Qassamese bombing with Sejil missiles

13:14
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
The occupation officially acknowledges the killing of 2 of its [settlers] as a result of the recent Qassam bombing of Ashkelon

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

PALIS008

Incident date

May 11, 2021

Location

Netaim, Israel

Geolocation

31.94537637, 34.77307612 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died whilst taking shelter during a rocket attack allegedly fired by Hamas militants in the village of Neta’im, south of Tel Aviv on May 11th, 2021, according to local reports.

According to Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Orly Liron, 52, fell and was subsequently taken to hospital where she died two days later from an aneurysm.

Tal, Orly’s partner, told Ynet: “She was upstairs and I was in the living room. It was announced on TV that an attack on Tel Aviv was beginning. A minute after the alarm went off, I started hearing Barry (the couple’s son) yell at me ‘Daddy, Daddy, I thought it was because he was scared so I went down to them. I opened the door of the emergency room and saw her with a bleeding wound on her forehead.”

Tal added: “She was so looking forward to the coming years, to fill the child’s soul with kindness, love and giving to others. Barry’s role model was taken. A child needs a mother before he needs a father.”

Multiple sources also reported that Orly was a teacher of biology and science at H. Urban School in Tel Aviv for 29 years. Following her death, the high school she worked at released a statement: “We, the Urban God family, hereby announce the passing of Orly Liron, a teacher, educator, wonderful woman, mother of Bari, daughter of Shoshana, sister of Zvika and Nir’s spouse. Orly will forever remain in our hearts.” Her students wrote, “Orly, who taught us, who educated us, who guided us in ceremonies and the rest of her work at school, entered the heart of each and every one of us and will always remain an integral part of the school and the urban community. The teaching staff in these difficult times. ”

The local time of the incident is unknown. Galatz Radio reported that the alarm that alerted Orly and her family was in Moshav Netaim.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Orly Liron
52 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Orly Liron, 52 years old, fell and was subsequently taken to hospital where she died two days later from an aneurysm. (Image posted by Ynet)
  • Orly Liron, 52 years old, fell and was subsequently taken to hospital where she died two days later from an aneurysm. (Image posted by N12)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Netaim (נטעים), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.94537637, 34.77307612.  Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Palestinian Militants Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Accidents related to conflict
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Palestinian Militants

Sources (4) [ collapse]