Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

M21ISPT073

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

بيت لاهيا, Beit Lahia, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.551277, 34.509233 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was reported killed and up to 26 civilians reported injured by a single strike in a series of IDF airstrikes in the mid-afternoon on May 15, 2021. The strikes are reported to have struck the Beit Lahia area in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

Several sources reported strikes leading to fires near to the American School, north of Beit Lahia, although Al Mezan was alone in reporting that one person was killed and 26 injured in the strikes, including five women and ten children.

Bel Trew, the Independent’s correspondent in the area, reported that the strikes had hit a large chemicals and pesticides store in the Beit Lahia area, starting a major fire.

The incident occured at approximately 3:50 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising following strikes on northwest Beit Lahia on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @gazaapost)
  • According to @Beltrew, the strikes caused a massive fire at a huge chemicals and pesticides store.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Lahiya (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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT074

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

شارع غزة القديم, جباليا‎, Old Gaza Street, Jabalia , the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.538754, 34.495108 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five people were injured by an alleged Israeli airstrike that struck a crowd of people on Old Gaza Street in Jabaliya in the Northern Gaza Strip.

Both the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) and Al Mezan reported a single airstrike around 6.15 p.m. injuring five people, who were taken to the Indonesian Hospital in the area for treatment. However, multiple different twitter accounts, including @alwatanvoice and @SamaNewsAgency1, provided the toll that two civilians were injured in the strikes.

There is limited further information on the identities of those injured and the nature of the injuries, and no information from the IDF on the strike at this time.

The incident occured at approximately 6:15 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Old Gaza street (شارع غزة القديم), allegedly located within the town of Jabalia (جباليا‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jabalia are: 31.538754, 34.495108.

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
    2–5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT075

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

شارع اليرموك, جباليا‎, Al Yarmouk Street, Jablia, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.521158, 34.460758 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Israeli forces airstrike struck a four-story building in Central Gaza City around 1 a.m. on Saturday 15 May 2021, severely damaging the building and two other nearby buildings and injuring one civilian.

The building, near the al-Sahabah medical complex in Al Yarmouk Street, Central Gaza City, was struck with four missiles in an alleged IDF airstrike, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR). No civilian harm was included in their report, with PCHR adding that a resident was warned by telephone by the Israeli Intelligence Services that the strike was imminent, allowing residents to evacuate in time.

@PalinfoAr and @johnjoh27895486 both tweeted that one civilian was injured and was taken to Al-Shifa Medical Complex for treatment.

A number of reports on the strike also note that a house in the Al-Shati ‘Beach’ refugee camp was hit in the same strike.

The incident occured at approximately 1:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck on Al Yarmouk Street (شارع اليرموك), located in the Jabalia (جباليا‎) area, for which the generic coordinates are: 31.521158, 34.460758. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck on Al Yarmouk Street (شارع اليرموك), located in the Jabalia (جباليا‎) area.

    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
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT076

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

شارع الجميزة, ال القرا, Gemmayzeh Street, Al Qaraa, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.375725, 34.343736 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was injured in a missile or drone strike allegedly carried out by Israeli forces on Saturday 15 May 2021 in Gemmayzeh Street, Al-Qarara, north of Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

There are multiple reports of a young man being moderately injured in a missile strike while riding a bicycle at approximately 2pm, although the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) describes his injuries as serious. The injured civilian was taken to Nasser Hospital for treatment of his injuries, according to @wataniaps1.

@no_itsmyturn, an open-source online investigator, suggested that the strike had been aimed at underground military infrastructure in the vicinity. All of the sources attribute the strikes to Israel.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 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
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Airstrikes near an empty field near Gemmayzeh Street, Al-Qarara on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @no_itsmyturn)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Gemmayzeh Street (شارع الجميزة), allegedly located in the Al Qaraa (ال القرا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Qaraa are: 31.375725, 34.343736.

  • Reports of the incident mention Gemmayzeh Street (شارع الجميزة), allegedly located in the Al Qaraa (ال القرا).

    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
    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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT077

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

مخيم الشاطئ, Al Shati Refugee Camp, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.533701, 34.448318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people were reported injured and a large number of fishing vessels were destroyed in an alleged naval bombardment by the Israeli navy on the Al Shati ‘Beach’ refugee camp to the West of Gaza City.

Al Jazeera first reported the bombardment around 9.30 a.m. local time on Saturday 15 May 2021, which targeted buildings in the refugee camp. Multiple sources confirm that a large number of fishing vessels were destroyed by fire as a result, alongside the two persons injured.

Several sources also reported building damage from naval bombardments on the shores of the Deir Al-Balah area in the Central Gaza Strip. All of the sources attributed the strikes to Israel.

On May 15th, the IDF released the following statement: “Last night, the IDF attacked a number of Hamas terror organization senior officials, in an apartment used as terror infrastructure in the area of the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The details are under review.

The Hamas terror organization deliberately uses Gazan civilians as a way to shield and cover its hostile operations. The IDF takes all possible precautions to avoid harming civilians during its operational activities.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Shati refugee camp (مخيم الشاطئ), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.533701, 34.448318. 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

[12:06, 5/15/2021] IDF News Desk: IDF:

Last night, the IDF attacked a number of Hamas terror organization senior officials, in an apartment used as terror infrastructure in the area of the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. The details are under review.

The Hamas terror organization deliberately uses Gazan civilians as a way to shield and cover its hostile operations. The IDF takes all possible precautions to avoid harming civilians during its operational activities.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Naval bombardment
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT065

Incident date

May 15, 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 man is alleged to have been injured in an Israeli airstrike on Al Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday 15th May 2021.

According to Al Haq, the airstrike took place around 12.15 a.m., destroying the house of Abdul Karim Issa and causing partial damage to other neighbouring buildings.

While Al Haq reported one moderate injury caused by the strike, this is not corroborated by any other source. Both Algulf and Al Haq attribute the strikes on Al Bureij to Israel.

The incident occured at approximately 12:15 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker

Sources (2) [ 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.

Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
  • position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT078

Incident date

May 15, 2021

Location

المغازي, Al Maghazi, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.423444, 34.387658 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A girl with disabilities was injured following an airstrike in the central section of the Gaza Strip around 11.50 p.m. on Saturday 15th May 2021. One source, a Palestinian journalist, was alone in reporting that three others were also injured in the strike.

According to Al Haq, the child, named as Zeina Shady al-Saftawi fell and injured herself following the strike. Sources disagree on the location of the strike, with Al Haq and others reporting it as happening in an area of open ground east of Al-Maghazi refugee camp; others reported the strike taking place further west, to the west of the Nuseirat refugee camp. In addition, sources dispute the weapon delivery system, with Al Haq reporting it as ground artillery fire, with others reporting an airstrike. Multiple sources attributed the strikes to Israel.

The incident occured at 23:50:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Zeina Shady al-Saftawi زينة شادي الصفطاوي
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    Israeli Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of strikes on Al Maghazi camp on May 15, 2021. (Image posted by @Ibrahim__Alamri)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Maghazi (المغازي) camp, for which the generic coordinates are: 31.423444, 34.387658. 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    Israeli Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT062

Incident date

May 14, 2021

Location

ِمنزل عائلة عبد ربه ,جباليا, Abd Rabo Family House, Jabalia, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.538711, 34.495107 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least six civilians, including three women and two children, were injured in a reported Israeli airstrike on a house in Jabalia city on May 14, 2021.

The majority of sources reported six injuries, including a civilian in critical condition. The Palestinian Centre of Human Rights and Al Haq said the victims included three women and two children. Both reported that the injured were taken to the Indonesian hospital where two of the injuries were described as serious and the rest moderate. Shihab reported that the number of people injured rose from six to nine.

The house belonged to the Abd Rabbo family. @ramy3zat tweeted that the house of his cousin, Shadi Abd Rabbo, and Shadi’s brothers, was targeted without warning. Two sources said it was completely destroyed.

The Israeli Defense Forces tweeted that “Recently, fighter jets and aircraft attacked the homes of three Hamas terrorist operatives who serve as terrorist infrastructure and weapons depots… 2. Shadi ‘Abd al-Hadhi – an operative in Hamas’ parachute formation. His house, which was located in the center of the Strip, contained paragliding unit equipment.” It is possible that this strike is related to this incident.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said the house was hit with three missiles at 6.30pm.

The incident occured at 18:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–9
  • 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 a residential house being struck in the city of Jabalia (جباليا). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Jabalia are: 31.538711, 34.495107.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

Recently, fighter jets and aircraft attacked the homes of three Hamas terrorist operatives who serve as terrorist infrastructure and weapons depots... 2. Shadi 'Abd al-Hadhi - an operative in Hamas' parachute formation. His house, which was located in the center of the Strip, contained paragliding unit equipment.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–9
  • 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]