Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

M21ISPT106

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

الزانه, خان يونس, Al Zana, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.339462, 34.324550 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were reported injured in an alleged Israeli artillery strike on the area of Al-Zana, east of Khan Yunis on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

Paltimes reported the injuries ranged from light to moderate.

Twitter user, Belal Nazar, said: “Smoke shells were fired at Al-Zana area, east of Khan Yunis. Heavy artillery shelling in the eastern border areas of the Gaza Strip.”

Palestine Now reported that at 13:30 Israeli artillery fired several smoke shells at Palestinian homes in Al-Zana. Other sources reported that later that day, at around 10:30pm, the same area was targeted by airstrikes.

Al Hayah Brs reported that shelling affected the area near Ibn Al-Nafis School.

The incident occured at approximately 1:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • "The occupation bombs the Al-Zana area, east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip." Image courtesy of @Noraljnat on Twitter.
  • "The occupation bombs the Al-Zana area, east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip." Image courtesy of @Noraljnat on Twitter.
  • "The occupation bombs the Al-Zana area, east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip." Image courtesy of @Noraljnat on Twitter.
  • #Watch..smoke shells were fired at Al-Zana area, east of Khan Yunis

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Zana (الزانه), allegedly located east of Khan Younis (خان يونس) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Khan Younis are: 31.339462, 34.324550.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT107

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

البريج, Al Bureij, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.438769, 34.404030 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was injured by shrapnel following an alleged Israeli airstrike on Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

Msdr News reported that a man sustained shrapnel wounds from a missile fired by a drone and he received treatment at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

Around the same time, Al Aqsa Radio reported that Al-Bureij was also targeted by artillery, including smoke and sound bombs.

Palestinian activist, Said Shoaib, reported that Israeli artillery struck a cemetery east of Al-Bureij and attributed the strikes to Israel.

The incident is believed to have taken place at around noon.

The incident occured around midday.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the Al Bureij (البريج) refugee camp, for which the generic coordinates are: 31.438769, 34.404030. 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, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT108

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

بيت حانون, Beit Hanoun, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.536116, 34.537239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three people were injured in an alleged Israeli air or artillery strike on a house in Beit Hanoun, North Gaza on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

While the Palestine Times said the house, belonging to the Al-Kafarneh family, was targeted by an artillery shell, the SHMS News Agency and several other Arabic language sources reported the injuries were the result of an airstrike.

Al Haq published a list of property owners whose buildings had been targeted between the 17th – 19th of May. According to the source, on the 18th of May in the nearby neighborhood of Jabalia, a three-story house belonging to Ahmed Abdel Fattah Bakr Al-Kafarneh was targeted at 10:50 am.

Ahmad Al-Kafarneh has previously been reported as belonging to a Saraya Al-Quds, the militant wing of the Islamic Jihad group: On February 11th 2021, Defense for Children International Palestine, released a report about an explosion at the home of a man named Ahmad Al-Kafarneh: “An explosion in the northern Gaza Strip in late January destroyed a residential building, damaged several public buildings, and caused injury to 18 Palestinian children. The explosion occurred on January 23 around 8:15 a.m. originating on the roof of a three-story residential building in a densely-populated neighborhood in Beit Hanoun, located in the northern Gaza Strip. The building owner’s son, Ahmad Al-Kafarneh, 32, built and maintained a warehouse on the roof used to store munitions and military equipment for the Palestinian armed group, Saraya Al-Quds, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, of which he is a member, according to a source in the North Gaza General Investigation Department.”

Reports of the incident began circulating at approximately 11:00.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

Summary

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

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.536116, 34.537239. 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, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT109

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

بيت حانون, غزة, Beit Hanoun, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.536116, 34.537239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were reports of civilian injuries, including one woman, following an alleged Israeli airstrike on a house in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

Mezan reported: “At approximately 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, the occupation warplanes bombed a group of citizens on Al-Qarman Street in the center of Beit Hanoun in the North Gaza Governorate, injuring one woman, who was transferred to Beit Hanoun Hospital for treatment, a medical source at the hospital described the injury as minor.”

Local journalist, Diaa Mahmoud, reported that there had been injuries following the strike but did not give any further details as to their identities or how many people were injured.

An eyewitness told Al Ayyam that two artillery shells landed close to an ambulance crew as they were transporting wounded people from the area.

According to The Palestinian Information Center the strike took place at 12:07pm local time.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

Summary

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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Al Qarmani Street (شارع القرماني), allegedly located within the town of Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Beit Hanoun are: 31.536116, 34.537239.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT110

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

مخيم النصيرات, غزة, Nuseirat Camp, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.460000, 34.380000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four civilians were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike on a house in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said: “At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belong to Bassem Al-Hazeen in Nusseirat, injuring 3 civilians, including two children, and partially damaging the house”. The following day, the same source reported that a fourth person had been injured in the strike, all from the same family, and also changed the time of the strike to 20:20. The updated time runs in contradiction to other sources reporting on the incident.

Paltimes said that two of the victims were young girls.

Palestinian journalist, Diaa Mahmoud, reported that two people injured in the strike were transported to Al Aqsa Hospital for treatment.

Amad News identified a reconnaissance missile as being used in the strike and other sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of Nuseirat Camp (مخيم النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.460000, 34.380000. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT111

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

مخيم النصيرات, Al Nuseirat Camp, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.460000, 34.380000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was seriously injured, and there was a report of additional injuries, following an alleged Israeli airstrike on a vehicle west of the Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza, on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

The Palestinian Information Centre said that at 08:38 one person was seriously injured when an aircraft hit a “tuk tuk” (a three-wheeled motorized vehicle), in an agricultural area west of the Nuseirat refugee camp. One source, a Twitter account belong to Amjad Ahmed, stated that more than one person had been injured in the attack.

A tweet from @Ehabhelou identified “two raids” as being carried out and the majority of sources attributed these raids to Israel.

The incident occured at approximately 8:38 am local time.

Summary

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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention agricultural land being struck in the vicinity of Nuseirat Camp (مخيم النصيرات), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.460000, 34.380000. 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT112

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

قرب مسجد خليل الرحمن, Vicinity of Khalil Al Rahman Mosque, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.499307, 34.463602 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were reports of at least two civilian injuries following an alleged Israeli airstrike on a building in the Al-Shujaiya neighborhood of Gaza city on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

The strike hit the home of the Aliwa family in Mansoura Street, next to Khalil al-Rahman Mosque, and resulted in injuries, reported Shehab.

The Safa Press Agency said: “An elderly person was injured due to the Israeli shelling on “Al-Mansoura Street” east of Gaza.” Palestine Today reported that the victim was taken to the Al-Shifa Medical Complex following the incident.

At 14:24 on May 18th, Al Ain News quoted the Israeli army as saying: “We targeted a Hamas cell inside a school in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City.” The Twitter user @c2_karel quoted the Israeli military as saying: “We targeted a missile development and production warehouse of the terrorist Hamas movement in Gaza.” Airwars also found the official statement from the IDF, which stated “20:19 – An aircraft attacked a Hamas cell in Sajaiya immediately after firing into Israeli territory. Also, the position of launching shrapnel was destroyed. The position is located inside a school, which proves once again how Hamas deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population.”

The incident occurred around 3:30pm.

The incident occured at approximately 3:30 pm local time.

Summary

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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "#Photos of bombing by warplanes east of Al-Shujaiya neighborhood" - Image courtesy of Hadth 24

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of Khalil Al Rahman mosque (مسجد خليل الرحمن), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.499307, 34.463602. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

20:19 - An aircraft attacked a Hamas cell in Sajaiya immediately after firing into Israeli territory. Also, the position of launching shrapnel was destroyed. The position is located inside a school, which proves once again how Hamas deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population.

Summary

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

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT093

Incident date

May 17, 2021

Location

عبسان الجديدة, Absan Al Jadida, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.341120, 34.344171 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ahmed Fayez Arafat (28-30), claimed by Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade to be a member, was killed and further civilian injuries, at least one, were reported in an Isreali drone strike in the farmlands in Absan Al Jadid on May 17,2021 at around 12:30 pm.

Wada PS News reported on the Israeli attack, stating that Ahmed Arafat was killed during the attack on a group of citizens in Absan al-Jadidah, east of Khan Younis. Several local sources stated that others were injured, whilst AqsaTv Channel specified that one other civilian was injured and Al Mezan news reported that others suffered light injuries.

The Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade identified Ahmed Fayed Hassam Arafat as one of their members, referring to him as a “Mujahid Qassami”. Various sources refer to Ahmed as being a citizen and as being amongst a group of citizens but do not refer to him as a civilian.

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

The incident occured at approximately 12:30 pm local time.

Summary

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

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by @uzisall)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by @muhammedobuowda)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by @AlmakdesyMedia)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention agricultural land being struck in Absan Al Jadid (عبسان الجديدة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.341120, 34.344171. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (31) [ collapse]