Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0075b

Incident date

October 9, 2023

Location

القرارة, Al Qarara, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.371329, 34.335281 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 9th 2023, between five and eight civilians, including up to three children and four women, were reportedly killed and several others injured when Israeli forces allegedly struck the home of the Abu Al-Omrain family in Al-Qarara in southern Gaza. According to available reports, the bombing destroyed the home and caused significant damage to nearby buildings.

Detailing these events, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) stated, “At approximately 2:00 a.m. on the same day, and without prior warning, Israeli warplanes bombed a two-storey house belonging to the Abu Al-Omrain family, located in the town of Al-Qarara, northeast of Khan Yunis, which resulted in its complete destruction on top of its occupants.” Elaborating further on the damage caused by the bombing, the PCHR reported, “A serious damage to a number of neighboring houses. (5) martyrs were recovered, including (2) two women and two girls. Civil defense crews are still searching for missing persons and victims under the rubble.” This conforms with an account offered by the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. Both organizations reported that the bodies of five people had initially been recovered from the destroyed home, and that further work was carried out to locate additional missing persons.

According to available reports, this incident resulted in numerous injuries. While no outlet has provided a number of those who were wounded, SHMS News Agency has stated that alongside those killed, “several others were injured.” Hani Abu Mura provided the highest casualty toll of eight members of the family killed on Facebook.

On October 9, a Facebook user named Alaa Younis Abo Al Omarein who is a relative of those killed shared a post claiming to be a relative of those killed. They identified those who lost their lives as “My beloved mother, Hayat Khalil Al-Desouki, 67 years old,” “My dear aunt Howaida Khalil Al-Desouki, 60 years old,” “My beloved sister, Aya Younis Abu Al-Omrain, 29 years old,” “My brother Muhammad Younis Abu Al-Omrain, 39 years old,” “My brother’s wife, Ibtihal Khader Abu Al-Omarin, 33 years old,” “Hayat Muhammad Abu Al-Omrain, 12 years old,” “ Habiba Younis Abu Al-Omrain, 9 years old,” and “Younis Muhammad Abu Al-Omrain, 4 years old.” The family member Alaa Younis was interviewed by the Associated Press a few days later as she was staying in a UN school after her home was destroyed and eight members of her family were killed.

Cairo24 News reported that two of the women that died in the strike were Egyptian: Howaida Khalil Al-Desouki and her sister Hayat Khalil Al-Desouki, 67 years old. Howaida was a pension supervisor at the Educational Administration in Ain Shams in Cairo and was visiting her sister Hayat who was married 40 years ago to the Palestinian Younis Abu Al-Omrain, and has lived there since then. Ahmed Al-Sayyid Khalil Al-Desouki, a nephew of the two women, told Cairo24 that Mrs. Howaida Khalil Al-Desouki, his aunt, was visiting her sister Hayat Khalil Al-Desouki two weeks ago to offer her condolences to her husband, Younis Abu Al-Omrain, who died after suffering from illness.

@samahpal23 added that the victims were taken to Nasser Medical Complex. Following this incident, Radio Al Zaytouna shared four photographs on Facebook showing a destroyed building surrounded by rubble and debris.

Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. Multiple sources accused Israeli forces of using internationally banned phosphorus during airstrikes in Al-Qarara.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 2:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Hayat Khalil Al-Desouki Abu Al-Amrain حياة خليل الدسوقي أبو العمرين
67 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 953980570
Muhammad Younis Abu Al-Amrain محمد يونس أبو العمرين
39 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 430141630
Ayatollah Younis Muhammad Abu Al-Omrain آية يونس أبو العمرين
29 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 804824399
Hayat Younis Abu Al-Omarin حياة يونس أبو العمرين
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430141630
Habiba Muhammad Younis Abu Al-Omarin حبيبة محمد يونس أبو العمرين
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430141630
Howaida Khalil Al-Desouki هويدا خليل الدسوقي
60 years old female killed
Ibtihal Khader Abu Al-Omarin ابتهال خضر أبو العمرين
33 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430141630
Younis Muhammad Abu Al-Omarin يونس محمد أبو العمرين
4 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 442877288

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (2–3 children2–4 women1 man)
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abd Al salam

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    Source: Abd Al salam

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abd Al salam

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Radio Al Zaytouna FM

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Radio Al Zaytouna FM

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Radio Al Zaytouna FM

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Radio Al Zaytouna FM

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Qarara pulse

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    Source: Al Qarara pulse

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    Source: Al Qarara pulse

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    Source: Abdo Jneed facebook

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    Source: Nahla Asaad facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nahla Asaad facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alaa Younis Abo Al Omarein facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alaa Younis Abo Al Omarein facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alaa Younis Abo Al Omarein facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alaa Younis Abo Al Omarein facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alaa Younis Abo Al Omarein facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alaa Younis Abo Al Omarein facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nabd Alqarara facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nabd Alqarara facebook

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    Source: Nabd Alqarara facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Batoul Mo’taz facebook

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    Source: Batoul Mo’taz facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Batoul Mo’taz facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Batoul Mo’taz facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Cairo24 news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Cairo24 news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Cairo24 news

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    Source: Cairo24 news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Balkis Abu Alamarein facebook

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    Source: Balkis Abu Alamarein facebook

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Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Qarara (القرارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.371285, 34.335265. 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
    5 – 8
  • (2–3 children2–4 women1 man)
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0022

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

مسجد اليرموك, Yarmouk Mosque, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.312024, 34.361819 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the evening of October 8th 2023, 12 people were reported injured, including a baby, when an alleged Israeli strike hit Yarmouk Mosque in the Gaza Strip. The mosque was reported to be completely destroyed.

A tweet from @ShehabAgency stated that 12 injured people arrived at the Al-Shifa Medical complex, while other sources mentioned that there were casualties without noting an exact toll. Images posted by various sources show a baby and an elderly woman injured near the mosque.

Felesteen News spoke to a witness named Bilal Salama (38 years old) who described what happened: “The bombing was sudden, without warning, we felt that the house was exploding, and after the smoke and dust cleared, the vision began to become clearer. I found my daughter bleeding from the impact of glass flying on her head. We all went down to check on my father and mother, who live on the ground floor and whose door opens directly onto the mosque. As you can see, we could not enter from here, so we went from the back and made holes in the walls, and we began removing the rubble until we reached my father and mother and some of the children, grandchildren, who were stuck under the stones that fell on them from the mosque.” Bilal Salama’s father and mother were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Felesteen News spoke to another witness named Hajj Jihad Jarour whose bulldozer, which is how he made his livelihood, was destroyed by the bombing: “We were sitting in the basement of the house, and suddenly we heard the bombing and the house shook and smoke filled the place. As you can see, everything is gone, the house and the tools. May God compensate us.”

The Palestinian Civil Defense reported on their teams dealing with the evacuation of citizens and the transfer of casualties from the surrounding area. Another local source specified that Ansar Central Ambulance Station evacuated the injured from the bombing.

The mosque was located near Ramzoun al-Ghafri on Al-Jalaa Street.

According to Felesteen News, the minaret at Yarmouk Mosque was silenced for the first time since the mosque was established in 1974. Felesteen News stated that “the bombing affected the area’s water lines and infrastructure” and “many of the houses surrounding the mosque are no longer fit for living”.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Daughter of Bilal Salama
female injured
Father of Bilal Salama
male injured
Mother of Bilal Salama
female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Pharmacist Walaa Elmahallawi

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    Source: Palestinian civil defense

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    Source: Palestinian civil defense

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    Source: Palestinian civil defense

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    Source: M saleh

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    Source: Bougara Demain

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    Source: Bougara Demain

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    Source: Bougara Demain

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    Source: Bougara Demain

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    Source: Bougara Demain

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Bougara Demain

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    Source: Bougara Demain

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Ahmad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Ahmad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Ahmad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Ahmad

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medical services - Gaza Strip

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    Source: Medical services - Gaza Strip

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    Source: Medical services - Gaza Strip

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    Source: Medical services - Gaza Strip

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Medical services - Gaza Strip

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    Source: Medical services - Gaza Strip

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mou’men Hassouna

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Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Yarmouk mosque (مسجد اليرموك) in Gaza city (غزة). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following coordinates: 31.312024, 34.361819.

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Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Religious Institution, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0023

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

محافظة شمال غزة, North Gaza governorate, North Gaza Strip, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.544243, 34.5104 Note: The accuracy of this location is to District level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Sunday the 8th of October 2023, it was reported that civilians were injured when the Israeli military bombed the Abu al-Jubain family home, in the northern Gaza Strip.

This event was mentioned by multiple sources such as BintAl Assifa, Abul Salam Qamoum, Mohammed al-Yusuf and local news source MSDR News.

Individuals in Gaza @WaellodaOda and @i_07070 confirmed on Twitter/X that the house of the Abu al-Jubain family was bombed by an Israeli airstrike.

Multiple local sources including @ShebabAgency reported that the strike resulted in “casualties” and “injuries” but did not specify how many. Airwars has used the injury range 2-2 to capture these cases, as per our methodology.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the North Gaza governorate (محافظة شمال غزة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.544243, 34.5104. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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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
    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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0024

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

عمارة أبو زهري بمدينة رفح, Abu Zuhri Building, Al Shaboura, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.284219, 34.258834 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 8th, 2023 at around 9:50pm, an alleged Israeli airstrike hit the Abu Zuhri apartment building in the Al-Shaboura refugee camp, Rafah City, in the Gaza strip, and killed between four and five civilians, among them Jasser Marjouna, Jasser Marjouna’s wife, Abdulnaser Shabanah, and an infant and woman whose names are not published within the sources; the strike also injured between 20-55 civilians, including Wissam Sabah.

Abdulnaser Shabanah was killed on his wedding day, as reported by Thaer Mohamed, a fellow resident of the building. Jasser Marjouna was a leader in the Democratic Engineering Rally and a member of the Board of Directors of the Engineering Syndicate, Rafah branch. @Shehab Agency and the Rafah City official Facebook page report that four civilians were killed, while the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) Gaza report that 5 civilians were killed in the attack. @ShehabAgency and Al-Watan Voice report that 20 civilians were injured, The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and PCHR Gaza report 30 civilians were injured from the attack, and @Ehabhelou reports that 55 civilians were injured.

Al Shabab radio, the Palestinian Press Agency @SafaPs, PCHR Gaza, and other sources all allege that Israeli aircraft were responsible for bombing the building. Alam Sabbah, the nephew of Wissam Sabah and resident of the Abu Zuhri building, reports the strike occurred without warning and caused massive destruction and injuries, with many residents having to go to the Abu Youssef Al Najjar hospital after. Raed Sabbah, another resident of the building, reported that the bombing completely destroyed two floors of the building, including the roof. Members of the Palestinian Civil Defense arrived to evacuate civilians and transport the dead after the attack.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 9:50 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Jaser Marjouna جاسر مرجونة
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800617219
Wife of Jaser Marjouna زوجة جاسر مرجونة
female killed

The victims were named as:

Wissam Sabah وسام صباح
Age unknown male injured
Abdulnaser Shabanah عبدالناصر شبانة
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child2 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–55
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (46) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Raed Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah city official page

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah city official page

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah city official page

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah city official page

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdallah Al Attar

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdallah Al Attar

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdallah Al Attar

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdallah Al Attar

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Democratic Engineering Rally

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Thaer Mohammed

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Thaer Mohammed

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Thaer Mohammed

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Samer Karnab facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Eyad facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmoud Eyad facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Free students national organistaion facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Engineering democratic initiative facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ismail Athmana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ismail Athmana facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian civil defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian civil defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian civil defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian civil defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian civil defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Palestinian civil defense

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Abu Zuhri apartment building (عمارة أبو زهري) in the Al Shaboura camp (معسكر الشابورة). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.284219, 34.258834.

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  • Imagery:
    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • Imagery:
    Source: Alam Sabbah

  • Imagery:
    Source: Alam Sabbah

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child2 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–55
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0025

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

مدرسة الفاخورة, Al-Fakhoura school, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.542307, 34.495157 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 8th 2023, Israeli military aircraft were reported to have carried out an airstrike on the Al-Najjar family home in the Al-Fakhoura area of the Jabalia refugee camp in north Gaza, killing an unknown number of people and injuring at least four people.

The Shehab Agency tweeted that there were “injuries as the [Israeli] aircraft targeted the Al-Najjar family’s home in the Al-Fakhoura area in the Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip”. The Jabalia refugee camp itself confirmed the attack on its Facebook page: “Targeting a house for the Al-Najjar family in the Al-Fakhoura area in the Jabalia camp”. One local journalist, Faton Ayman, specifically stated that there were “four injuries in the Kamal Adwan Hospital”.   

@WaellodaOda, @i_07070 and Rania Al Khodary all posted statements which were identical to that of a Safa correspondent who reported that there had been “[killed] and injured in the bombing of the Al-Najjar family’s home and the Hassouna family’s home near Al-Fakhoura School in Jabalia”.  Several other social media accounts indicated that there had been people killed as well as people injured at the camp, whilst additionally stating that the strike had occurred in proximity to a school.

While the exact number of casualties was not reported, in line with Airwars’ methodology the minimum range has been assessed as two to account for references to multiple deaths.

The previous day, on October 7, another alleged Israeli strike was reported on the Al-Najjar family home, killing Hajj Hamdan Al-Najjar, an official of the Ministry of the Interior along with his wife, son and granddaughter. This incident has been assessed separately by Airwars in case number ISPT0002.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @samahpal23

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @samahpal23

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @_G4Z4

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @ShehabAgency

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al-Fakhoura School (مدرسة الفاخورة), within the Jabalia refugee camp, for which the coordinates are: 31.542307, 34.495157. 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 infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0007

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Location

قرب مستشفى غزة الاوروبي, Vicinity of Gaza European Hospital, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.303474, 34.320680 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 7th 2023, two civilians were reportedly killed and others were wounded in an alleged Israeli drone strike near the European Hospital area located in the southern Gaza Strip.

There is limited reporting on the incident. However, a tweet from user @Shehabagency writes that two Palestinians were killed and ‘others’ were reportedly injured. The use of “others” has been quantified as 2-2 injuries per Airwars’ methodology.

All reporting on the incident does not provide further detail on the wounded.

A tweet from user @Mohammed reports that the incident was in the form of a drone strike. Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Gaza European Hospital (مستشفى غزة الاوروبي) in the town of Al Fukhari (الفَخّاري), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.303474, 34.320680. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0004

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Location

منزل لعائلة الدوس  في حي الزيتون جنوب مدينة غزة, home of the Al-Dous family in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City., Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.485479, 34.444885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Israeli airstrike using several missiles struck a residential building in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza in the evening of October 7th, 2023. Fifteen members of the Al-Dous family, including seven children, were reportedly killed due to the destruction of their home. Awni Adel Al-Dous and his wife Ibtisam Mohammed Khalil Al-Dous had sons and grandchildren who lived in the same three-storey household.

Juma Al-Dous posted that “more than 15 people” from the family were under the rubble while DCI Palestine reported that ten people, including five children, were killed. Airwars has adopted a minimum casualty estimate of 15, given that fifteen victims were named by local sources and relatives of the family. Amnesty International also reported 15 deaths from Al-Dous family members.

The following names were identified by reviewing sources from various social media posts by individuals in the neighborhood, family members and the Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCI Palestine): Awni Adel Al-Dous and his wife Ibtisam Mohammed Khalil Al-Dous; and children Ibtisam Adel Awni Al-Dous, 17 years old, Rawand Adel Awni Al-Dous, 15 years old, Awni Adel Al-Dous, 12 years old, Ahmad Adel Awni Al-Dous, 10 years old, Rakan Mohammad Awni Al-Dous, four years old, Zaid Adel Awni Al-Dous, three years old, and the youngest child killed Adam Osama Al-Dous was just 18 months old.

A post from Nrmeen Mamdouh identified Ibtisam Adel Awni Al-Dous as a student who received a grade of 100% during her 11th academic year. Shuhada Al-Zaytoun Basic School for Boys offered condolences to “the brilliant student” Awni Adel Awni Al-Dous. Another post identified Awni as a Youtuber who wanted to be famous. Yahya Al Jamal described Omar Awni Al-Dous (Abu Karim) as patient, polite, genuine, cheerful and kind-hearted.

The six other victims killed in the strikes were identified by local sources as four men Adel Awni Al-Dous, Omar Awni Al-Dous (“Abu Karim”), Muhannad Awni Al-Dous, Osama Awni Al-Dous, and two women Israa Totah and Elham Ahmed Raqiq. The age of the victims was not provided by the sources.

Amnesty International quoted Mohammad Al-Dous, father of Rakan Mohammad Awni Al-Dous, who said “two bombs fell suddenly on top of the building and destroyed it. My wife and I were lucky to survive because we were staying on the top floor. She was nine-months pregnant and gave birth at al-Shifa hospital a day after the attack. Our entire family has been destroyed.”

The Al-Dous family posted on Facebook that the bombing of the home of Hajj Awni Al-Dous resulted in the complete destruction of the house and “created a state of fear and panic in the area”. Amnesty added that it took relatives, neighbours, and rescue teams more than six hours to remove the bodies from the rubble.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. Multiple sources mentioned that the home was bombed without a warning and Amnesty quoted one of the neighbors of the victims who said “It was sudden, boom, nobody told us anything”. Amnesty’s research also indicated that they “found no evidence of military targets in the area at the time of the attack”.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names and ages with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured between 8:20 pm and 8:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (15)

Awni Adel Al-Dous عوني عادل الدوس
Adult male killed Matched to MoH ID 905498580
Ibtisam Mohammed Khalil Al-Dous ابتسام محمد خليل الدوس
68 years old female Awni's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 964885438
Ibtisam Adel Awni Al-Dous  ابتسام عادل الدوس
17 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 424329431
Rawand Adel Awni Al-Dous روند عادل الدوس
15 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 442308920
Awni Adel Al-Dous عوني عادل الدوس
12 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 426164687
Ahmad Adel Awni Al-Dous احمد عادل الدوس
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 433456746
Rakan Mohammad Awni Al-Dous ركان محمد الدوس
4 years old male killed
Zaid Adel Awni Al-Dous زيد عادل الدوس
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 442219549
Adam Osama Al-Dous ادم اسامة الدوس
1.6 years old male killed
Adel Awni Al-Dous عادل عوني الدوس
Adult male killed
Omar Awni Al-Dous عمر عوني الدوس
36 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801485244
Muhannad Awni Al-Dous مهند عوني الدوس
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400907911
Osama Awni Al-Dous اسامة عوني الدوس
Adult male killed
Israa Totah اسراء طوطح
Adult female killed
Elham Ahmed Raqiq إلهام أحمد رقيق
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (7 children3 women5 men)
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Dous family

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaytoun neighbourhood, Gaza

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nrmeen Mamdouh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nrmeen Mamdouh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nrmeen Mamdouh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abo Alaa Diab

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abo Alaa Diab

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaytoun neighbourhood page

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Alaa Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Alaa Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Alaa Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaytoun neighborhood

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yahya Al Jamal

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Shuhada Al-Zaytoun Basic School for Boys

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adli Attiya

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adli Attiya

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Zeitoun (الزيتون), within the Gaza strip (قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.485479 34.444885. 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
    15
  • (7 children3 women5 men)
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0002

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Location

خزاعة, Khuza’a, Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.522567, 34.462869 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 7, 2023, seven members of the Al Najjar family, including two children and three women, were killed and four others were wounded in their three-storey house in Khuza’a, east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip, by an alleged Israeli airstrike.

The airstrike took the life of Hajj Hamdan Al Najjar “Abu Zaki”, a director of the Tribal (Clans) Office at the Ministry of Interior, his wife Zahira Al Najjar “Um Zaki”, their son Mohammed Hamdan Al-Najjar and their daughter Ehtiram Al Najjar. Mohammad Al Najjar was remembered as a well-behaved high school student of 2006 in a Facebook post by Bumat El-Ghad Foundation.

Other members of the Al Najjar family, namely, the wife of their son Salah, Afnan Al Najjar, her son Sanad Salah Al Najjar and her daughter Ayah Salah Al Najjar, are also among the victims of the tragic incident.

On Facebook, the Al-Najjar family page listed the members of the family who had been killed, including Ayah Salah Hamdan Al-Najjar, the young granddaughter of Hajj Hamdan Al-Najjar. The same Facebook page also provided the names of four people who were reportedly wounded as a result of the airstrike: Zakaria Hamdan Al-Najjar, Mrs.Yasmine Tariq Ibrahim Al-Najjar, Yahya Ahmed Ghazi Al-Najjar (a child) and Saif Sabry Muhammad Al-Najjar (a child).

Two sources, namely Shebab Agency and Oud News Agency published information on social media on the strike on October 7, in the evening. Based on the time of publication of these sources, Airwars concluded that the attack might have been conducted between 7pm and 8.30pm local time.
Other sources, such as Palsawa news, reported on the incident the morning of October 8th, at around 9 am. However, it seems that sources referred to when rescue efforts were taking place, and to the moment where victims were pulled from the rubble. It was initially reported by Palsawa news that three killed and three injured people who had been brought to the European Hospital. Later on, while Khuza’a Municipality crews were removing the rubble of the destroyed house, the bodies of Afnan Al Najjar and Ehtiram Al Najjar were recovered from the rubble.

A son of Hajj Hamdan Al Najjar, Zakaria H.Al Najjar, mentioned in his heartfelt Facebook testimony Sanad Salah Al Najjar and Ayah Salah Al Najjar among the victims, thus confirming that the strike had killed seven members of the Al Najjar family.

Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured between 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Hajj Hamdan Al-Najjar “Abu Zaki” الحج حمدان النجار ابو زكي
Adult male killed
Mrs. Zahira Al-Najjar, “Umm Zaki” السيدة زهرة النجار أم زكي
Adult female killed
Mohamed Hamdan Al-Najjar محمد حمدان النجار
17 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424376333
Aya Salah Hamdan Al-Najjar ايه صباح النجار
4 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 441081957
Ehtiram Al Najjar احترام النجار
34 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 802479592
Afnan Al Najjar أفنان النجار
25 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 404158313
Sanad Salah Al Najjar سند صلاح النجار
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 442962304
Zakaria Hamdan Al-Najjar زكريا حمدان النجار
injured
Yahya Ahmed Ghazi Al-Najjar يحيى احمد غازي النجار
Child injured
Mrs. Yasmine Tariq Ibrahim Al-Najjar السيدة ياسمين طارق ابراهيم النجار
female injured
Saif Sabry Muhammad Al-Najjar سيف صبري محمد النجار
Child injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • (2 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (31) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ismaeel Omar facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khuzaa school facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khuzaa school facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al-Sharqiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al-Sharqiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al-Sharqiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al-Sharqiya facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Najjar Family facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Najjar Family facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hamza Abu Hany facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hamza Abu Hany facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: PNN facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: PNN facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: PNN facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: PNN facebook

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rawan Almashhrawi

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khuza'a Municipality

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khuza'a Municipality

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Khuza'a Municipality

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al Sharqiya

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al Sharqiya

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al Sharqiya

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Sada Al Sharqiya

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Pnn network

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Pnn network

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Pnn network

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Asem2030

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Esmaeel omar

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The Journalist Ahmad Qudeh

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Amin Abo Farhana

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Najjar Forum

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khuza’a (خزاعة). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.522567, 34.462869.

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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
    3 – 7
  • (2 children3 women1 man)
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]