Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0419

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

خربة العدس , Khirbat Al Adas, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.286310, 34.271887 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and ten civilians were reported killed, including at least one member of the Palestinian Civil Defense and five children, when alleged Israeli missiles struck a Palestinian Civil Defense facility alongside the Dahir family home on October 21st, 2023. A number of other civilians, including Palestinian Civil Defense members, were also injured.

The incident took place near the Khirbet Al-Adas junction, east of Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip on Saturday morning.

Muhammad Fawzi Qtait also known as Abu Jazar (father of Jazar) was named as the Palestinian Civil Defense paramedic and firefighter killed in the strike. He was reported to be from Ma’an, Khan Yunis.

In a post from the Dhuhair family, it was reported that eight members of the family were killed including five children. The names were identified as: Ayman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir, Iman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir, Andalus Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir, Aws Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir and another child Elias Anas Muhammad Hamad Dhahir.

Family members named as mourning the victims – though not present during the strike – included grandmother Nabila, Elias’ parents, Anas Dhahir and Hanin Saleh Zorob, and Ayman, Iman, Andalus and Aws’ father Islam Muhammad Hamad Duhair. Aws’ kindergarten, Baraem Al Tofoula Model Kindergarten, made a post announcing his death and expressing their deep sorrow.

The Ministry of the Interior and the Directorate of the Civil Defense in Gaza reported the death of Muhammad Qtait and the injury of at least four other Civil Defense members, while source Adnan Ghanima reported in a tweet that six members were seriously injured. According to Masdar Al Akhbariya, 11 Civil Defense workers were injured and three were in serious condition. A post from the Rafah Municipality reported several deaths and injuries among Civil Defense members and civilians. The casualty range for those injured is therefore put at 4-11.

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.

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

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 morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Ayman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir أيمن إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429423221
Iman Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir إيمان إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 430509919
Andalus Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir أندلس إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 434448718
Aws Islam Muhammad Hamad Dhahir أوس إسلام محمد حمد ضهير
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440694404
Elias Anas Muhammad Hamad Dhahir إلياس أنس محمد حمد ضهير
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 440596930

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Fawzi Qtait محمد فوزي قطيط
39 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800322224

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (5–8 children1 woman2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–11
  • 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
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The journalist Adel Al Zaab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tabarbour
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Rafah Municipality
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adnan Ghanima
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adnan Ghanima
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahali Maan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Mahmoud Brhoum Zaraab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Baraem Al Tofoula Model Kindergarten
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @SerajSat
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Khirbat Al Adas ( خربة العدس ), within the Gaza strip (قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.2863108, 34.271887. 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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (5–8 children1 woman2 men1 healthcare_personnel)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–11
  • 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
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0445

Incident date

October 21, 2023

Location

دير البلح, Deir al Balah, Deir Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.417639, 34.350276 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around dawn (local time) on Saturday, October 21, 2023, nine civilians, including one woman and six children, were killed, and a number of civilians were injured by an alleged Israeli airstrike in the al-Hawajri family home in Deir Balah, Gaza Strip.

Those killed include four brothers Hamza Ahmed Zidan al-Hawajri (aged 21 or 22), Harith Ahmed Zidan al-Hawajri (15 or 16), Muhammad Ahmed Zidan al-Hawajri (11 or 12), and Omar Ahmed Zidan al-Hawajri (5), their two sisters, Saja Ahmed Zidan al-Hawajri (13) and Amal Ahmed Zidan al-Hawajri (27), as well as nephews (sons of Amal) Ayman al-Jayeh (3) and Ahmed al-Jayeh (1), and brother-in-law Ibrahim Abu Loz (26). At least one other relative of the family, Zeina Zidane Al-Hawajri’s father (and likely grandfather to Hamza and siblings), was injured in the attack but the same source indicated that the number of injured was higher.

Alwatan voice reported “At dawn… dozens of martyrs and wounded in new Israeli targets in the Gaza Strip…According to what was reported by the Ministry of Interior and National Security in Gaza, the [Israeli] aircraft bombed a house for the “Al-Hawajri” family in Deir Balah in the central Gaza Strip, and there were a number of martyrs and wounded.” Similarly, @qudsn posted on X, “The [Israeli] aircraft bombed a house for the Al-Hawajri family in Deir Balah, killing a number of family members and wounding them.” Photographs posted on Facebook by @Maaliepress1 show the complete destruction of the Al-Hawajri family home, with numerous people scouring through the rubble.

Following the incident, family member Yahia [al-Hawajri] wrote on Facebook that “Israel bombed our house today. My brothers Hamza, Muhammad, Omar and Harith were martyred. My sisters, Saja and Amal, and Amal’s two children, Ayman and Ahmed. And my sister’s husband, Ibrahim Abu Loz. Oh my beloved, I hope you are in a better place and comfortable. You will always live inside my heart.” Amal’s husband Mahmoud Al-Jayeh also posted a condolence message to his wife and two sons who were killed, along with an image of the young boys in matching outfits.

Facebook user Abu Omar Al-Ramlawi, who was contacting the family about the “Brotherhood of Friends of Blogging” initiative wrote, “#Zeina, our precious daughter and dear friend…the patient and stationed woman, was saddened today by the martyrdom of her nephews as a result of the bombing and destruction of their house at the heads of the family at dawn today…Despite her young age, she is the aunt of an entire generation of young people, whom she lost. 8 today…despite the number of the injured people, [S]he and her family were patient, patient, and steadfast…Her father, as of 5 p.m., was still waiting to enter the operating room to undergo an operation to treat the effects of his injury in the bombing.”

All 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 around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Hamza Ahmed Zidan Al-Hawajri, حمزة أحمد زيدان الحواجري
22 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 406129072
Muhammad Ahmed Zidan Al-Hawajri محمد أحمد زيدان الحواجري
11 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 432167930
Omar Ahmed Zidan Al-Hawajri , محمد أحمد زيدان الحواجري
5 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 441122363
Harith Ahmed Zidan Al-Hawajri, حارث أحمد زيدان الحواجري
15 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 421783937
Saja Ahmed Zidan Al-Hawajri سجى أحمد زيدان الحواجري
13 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429972391
Amal Ahmed Zidan Al-Hawajri أمل أحمد زيدان الحواجري
27 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 401034038
Ayman Mahmoud Ayman Al-Jayeh أيمن محمود أيمن الجايح
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 443023882
Ahmed Mahmoud Ayman Al-Jayeh أحمد محمود أيمن الجايح
1 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 445790033
Ibrahim Musbah Ahmad Abu Loz , إبراهيم أبو لوز
26 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 402964175
father of Zeina Zidane Al-Hawajri
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Asma
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Asma
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yosef
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abo Mouen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mahmod
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Montaser
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Tareq Rabee

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Deir al Balah (دير البلح), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.417639,34.350276. 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
    9
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0236a

Incident date

October 15, 2023

Location

الأمل, Al Amal, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.354810, 34.297943 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 15th 2023, five members of the Abu Musa family, including two children, a woman, and two men, were reportedly killed and at least two children from the same family and a man were reportedly injured by an alleged Israeli bombing in the Al Amal neighbourhood in Khan Yunis, located in the South of the Gaza Strip.

The incident occurred at the home of Doctor Hamid Abu Musa, who was working at Nasser Hospital at the time of the strike.

The Abu Musa family official page outlines the death of child Yousef Mohammed Abu Musa, alongside two of his cousins, Hamid Jaser Abu Musa and child Abd Al Rahman Jaser Abu Musa, as well as their mother, Hiba Al Hadoun.

A story published by the BBC explained that when their home was hit, Yousef and his two older siblings, Jury, 13 years old, and Hamid, 9 years old, were watching cartoons on television thanks to solar panels previously installed by their father to compensate with power shortages in Gaza.  Yousef was seven years old when he was killed, after the roof of their house collapsed, according to the BBC report. Jury and Hamid both survived the attack with injuries.

Yousef’s father is described by the BBC as a radiographer at the Nasser hospital in the city of Khan Younis, who was working a 24-hour shift when “his wife, Rawan, entered, screaming in search for their youngest son”. Videos were widely circulated of Rawan calling for her “handsome and curly-haired son”. According to a Facebook post, Doctor Hamid and his wife searched emergency and recovery rooms for three hours, before finding Yousef in the morgue.

“The last time I saw Yusof alive was when he ran to hug me on the doorstep of our home, just before I left for work,” Mohamed told the BBC. “He kissed me and said goodbye after I had given him some biscuits and bananas. He wanted to be a doctor, maybe because he always saw me going to hospital for work.”

Further Facebook posts identify Hani Fathi Abu Masa as a family member of the Abu Musa, also killed in the incident. However, Abu Musa’s Facebook posts make his relation to the family unclear.

An image posted by mohannadalkhteeb on Instagram also identified “a number of injuries” with images of two injured children and an injured man. Yousef’s mother, Rawan, had been able to find nine-year old Hamid after the strike, while rescue teams had helped pull 13-year old Jury out of the rubble. Jury had suffered head injuries but her parents told the BBC her health was “improving”.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strike to Israeli forces.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Youssef Mohammed Abu Musa يوسف محمد ابو موسى
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 439010109
Hamid Jaser Jaser Abu Musa حميد جاسر حميد ابو موسى
18 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 421330911
ِAbd Al Rahman Jaser Abu Musa عبدالله ابو موسى
8 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 435856448
Hiba Al Madhoun هبة المدهون
43 years old female Mother of Abdalrahman and Hamid killed Matched to MoH ID 905261186
Hani Fathi Abu Musa هاني فتحي ابو موسى
45 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 900588054
Jury Mohammed Abu Musa جوري محمد ابو موسى
13 years old female Yousef's sibling injured
Hamid Mohammed Abu Musa حميد محمد ابو موسى
9 years old male Yousef's sibling injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Wafa Mahmoud Abu Musa
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Al-hanafi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Social Media Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Social Media Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Social Media Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Social Media Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Social Media Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ETC facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ETC facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Musa family official page
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: BBC News

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Amal (الأمل), within the Gaza strip (قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.354810, 34.297943. 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 and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0235

Incident date

October 15, 2023

Location

الجنينة, Al Geneina, Rafah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.296461, 34.243759 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian home was reportedly hit by an Israeli airstrike in Al-Geneina, Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, at dawn on 15 October 2023, killing between seven to eight civilians from the same family and injuring others. Sources said the home belonged to Dr. Salah al-Din Zanoun.

Rum Online News cited official Palestinian news agency WAFA as noting that eight civilians were killed, similarly to PNN News which also put the death toll at eight, stating that Dr. Salah al-Din Zanoun and seven of his relatives were killed in the bombing of his house.

Only one source, WAFA cited in Rum Online News, indicated that “others were injured” by an Israeli missile in that attack, without providing further details on the exact number or identity of those wounded. The number of injured has therefore been recorded as 2-2 by Airwars.

Seven of the victims killed have been identified as: Dr. Salah al-Din Zanoun “Abu Ahmed”; his wife Etemad Miqdad “Oum Ahmed”; his sons Dr. Ahmed Salah El-Din Zanoun, Saif al-Din Salah al-Din Zanoun, Ihab Salah El-Din Zanoun, his daughter Karima Salah El-Din Zanoun; and his nephew Muhammad Musa Zanoun. While several relatives of the family announced that the Doctor’s daughter was also killed in the attack, Mohammed Al-jamal on Facebook affirmed that seven members of the family were killed, “with the exception of one daughter” who survived the attack.

Nabd News identified the location of the strike as the Al-Geneina neighborhood in Rafah.

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

Local sources reported that the funerals of the victims were organised the same day. 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 around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Dr. Salah al-Din Muhammad Awad Zanoun _ Abu Ahmed الدكتور صلاح الدين محمد عواد زنون
59 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 412366080
Etemad Miqdad, Umm Ahmed اعتماد مقداذ
53 years old female Wife of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 413325473
Dr. Ahmed Salah al-Din Zanoun الدكتور احمد صلاح الدين زنون
27 years old male Son of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 421207887
Saif al-Din Salah al-Din Zanoun سيف الدين صلاح الدين زنون
25 years old male Son of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 421207879
Ihab Salah El-Din Zanoun ايهاب صلاح الدين زنون
male Son of Dr. Salah killed
Karima Salah El-Din Zanoun كريمة صلاح الدين زنون
female Daughter of Dr. Salah. One source reported that she "survived" the attack killed
Muhammad Musa Zanoun محمد موسى زنون
32 years old male Nephew of Dr. Salah killed Matched to MoH ID 803256387

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1–2 women4 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (26) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Moh Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Zanoon family Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: PNN news Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: PNN news Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed ALjamal Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed ALjamal Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed ALjamal Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed ALjamal Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Emad Youssef Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Zanoon Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Zanoon Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Zanoon Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Zanoon Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PalinfoAr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Radwan Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Radwan Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Radwan Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Radwan Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ROua Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: ROua Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Moh Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Moh Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alashiq Kareem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alashiq Kareem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alashiq Kareem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alashiq Kareem facebook

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of al Geneina (الجنينة), to the east of  Rafah (رفح). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for al Geneina are: 31.296461, 34.243759 .

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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
    7 – 8
  • (1–2 women4 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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.
  • Impact
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0197

Incident date

October 14, 2023

Location

تل الهوى, Tal Al Hawa, Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.503602, 34.426948 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 14th 2023 at around 1 am, Israeli forces allegedly conducted an airstrike in Tal Al-Hawa, located in the south of Gaza City. The strike reportedly killed Palestinian surgeon Dr. Medhat Mahmoud Saidam and his extended family at his home. Among the dead were between 24 to 31 civilians, including at least 12 children*, seven women (including a pregnant woman), and seven men. Whilst all sources agreed that Dr Medhat Saidam was killed, alongside his family, different sources identified different family members allegedly killed in the attack.

Twitter user @dryouceff and the Palestinian Ministry of Health said Dr. Medhat Mahmoud Saidam had been working for seven consecutive days at the Indonesian Hospital before the strike occurred. Interviewed by Al Jazeera, doctor Ahmed Makhlalati confirmed that statement, saying that his colleague Dr Medhat Mahmoud Saidam was coming home to see his family and planned to go back to the hospital but was killed when a strike hit his house at around 1 am. @Gredto reported that Dr. Saidam was killed along with 30 members of his family.

On Facebook, Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati described Dr Medhat Saidam as “one of the pioneers of plastic surgery and burns in Gaza”, “a big brother”, “a compassionate human being” who “devoted his life to serving patients, providing care for them, and educating the new younger generation”. He also added: “I cannot imagine what the atmosphere of the place would be like after him. I cannot imagine our morning meetings without him joining us with his enthusiasm and positive energy…May God have mercy on him and his entire family.” A tweet from Gredto added that “the doctor specializing in plastic surgery contributed to alleviating the suffering of those wounded in the Gaza wars 2009-2014”.

A Facebook post from Dr. Medhat Saidam’s cousin, Mohammed Saidam, named the following victims killed: Dr Medhat Mahmoud Saidam and Dr Medhat Saidam’s mother, Umm Medhat, married to the deceased Dr Mahmoud Saidam. Another source identified Umm Medhat as Majda Saidam (Al-Dajani)

The same source mentioned the death of Medhat Saidam’s two brothers, and their family, namely: Ahmed Mahmoud Saidam and his wife Shamah Ahmed and their children. Another Facebook source, Hussam Al-Dajni, documented the names of the children as: Abdul Rahman Ahmed Saidam, Magda Ahmed Saidam, Maryam Ahmed Saidam, Fatima Ahmed Saidam, Sameh Mahmoud Saidam, his pregnant wife Suhad Iyad Al-Dajani, their unborn baby Rana Sameh Saidam, and their children Sameh Saidam and Mira Sameh Saidam.

Mohammad Saidam also listed his female cousin‘s death, alongside her children, without providing their identity, age, or the number of children.

A Facebook post by Ahmad ALameen provided the names of additional victims killed, civilians also described by Hussam Al-Dajni as “Abu Jihad’s children and wife”:
Nahil Ayesh Al-Dajani, Umm Jihad, wife of Abu Jihad. One source said she was still alive while others referred to her as with the term “martyr”, implying she was also killed in the strike. The children were named as: Alaa Iyad Al-Dajani, (Abu Jihad’s son), (D) Youssef Al-Dajani, (Abu Jihad’s son), Abdul Rahman Al-Dajani, (Abu Jihad’s son), Suhad Al-Dajani (already mentioned above, married to Sameh Saidam), Abu Jihad’s daughter.

A Facebook post from the brother of Umm Medhat, named Hussam Al-Dajni, also documented the following civilian killed in the same attack: Balsam Farouk Al-Nono (Dr. Saidam’s sister in law). Multiple social media users described additional family members killed: Nawal Abdullah Ahmed Abu Nada (16 years old), Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed Abu Nada (15 years old), Anas Abdullah Ahmed Abundi (12 years old), Mohammed Abdullah Ahmed Abondi (6 years old), and Samah Abu Nada (Saidam). According to a Facebook post published by Anadolu Agency, those killed were all part of the same family unit. On this point, the outlet described them as the wife and four children of “Palestinian doctor Abdullah Abu Nada.” Footage of Abdullah Abu Nada grieving publicly was widely shared in the days following this incident. One Facebook user, posting on October 17, captioned this footage “Dr. Abdullah Abu Nada receives his family as martyrs 4 days after their house was targeted.” Other local sources added that the family was under the rubble during those 4 days.

@dryouceff reported that the strike occurred at Dr. Saidam’s home, which was located near Al-Hidaya Mosque in Tal Al-Hawa. Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

*Airwars has provisionally reconciled these names to those published by the Palestinian Ministry of Health on October 26, 2023. IDs from the MoH document are listed alongside names, and ages provided by the MoH. For cases where ‘children’ are referred to without additional biographical detail, Airwars assumes a range of at least 2.

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 1:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (25)

Dr Medhat Mahmoud Saidam الطبيب مدحت محمود صيدم
47 years old male Al-Shifa hospital Dr killed Matched to MoH ID 901363275
Majda Al-Dajani Saidam (Umm Medhat) مجدة الذجاني صيدم
Adult female Medhat Mahmoud Saidam's mother killed
Ahmed Mahmoud Saidam احمد محمود صيدم
36 years old male Medhat's brother killed Matched to MoH ID 801823527
Shamah Ahmed شامة أحمد
32 years old female Ahmed Mahmoud Saidam's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 803297258
Abdul Rahman Ahmed Saidam عبدالرحمن اياد الدجاني
6 years old male Ahmed and Shamah's son killed Matched to MoH ID 438972358
Magda Ahmed Saidam مجدة الذجاني صيدم
11 years old female Ahmed and Shamah's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 432322493
Maryam Ahmed Saidam مريم احمد صيدم
1 years old female Ahmed and Shamah's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 444179576
Fatima Ahmed Saidam فاطمة احمد صيدم
9 years old female Ahmed and Shamah's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 433542990
Sameh Mahmoud Saidam سامح محمود صيدم
32 years old male Medhat's brother killed Matched to MoH ID 802862342
Suhad Iyad Al-Dajani سهاد اياد الدجاني
29 years old female pregnant Sameh's wife, also Abu Jihad's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 410102594
Sameh Saidam سامح صيدم
Child male Sameh and Suhad's son killed
Mira Sameh Saidam ميرة سامح صيدم
5 years old female Sameh and Suhad's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 440822229
Mohammad Saidam's female cousin
Adult female killed
Mohammad Saidam's female cousin's child
Child killed
Mohammad Saidam's female cousin's second child
Child killed
Nahil Ayesh Al-Dajani, Umm Jihad ناهل عياش الدجاني ام جهاد
Adult female wife of Abu Jihad killed
Alaa Iyad Al-Dajani علاء إياد الدجني
25 years old male Abu Jihad's son killed Matched to MoH ID 403741143
Youssef Al-Dajani يوسف اياد الدجاني
20 years old male Abu Jihad's son killed Matched to MoH ID 408447670
Abdul Rahman Al-Dajani عبدالرحمن اياد الدجاني
20 years old male Abu Jihad's son killed Matched to MoH ID 408447688
Balsam Farouk Al-Nono بلسم فاروق النانو
34 years old female Medhi's sister-in-law killed Matched to MoH ID 801183567
Ahmed Abdullah Abu Nada أحمد عبد الله ابو ندى
15 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 425925625
Anas Abdullah Abu Nada انس عبد الله ابو ندى
12 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 430087015
Muhammad Abdullah Abu Nada محمد عبد الله ابو ندى
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 436876460
Nawal Abdullah Abu Nada نوال عبد الله ابو ندى
16 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 424656262
Samah Abu Nada (Saidam) سماح محمود ابوندى صيدم
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 31
  • (12 children7 women7 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (45) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @PalinfoAr
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MOH facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MOH facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gredto
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Gredto
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed Saidam Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Khalaf Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Khalaf Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Shadi Subhi Awad facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Dr. Ahmad Mokhalalati Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saydam Family Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Anas Ahmad Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad ALameen facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Anwar facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Hussam Al-Dajni Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Iman majdalawi Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Hidaya mosque (مسجد الهداية), within the neighborhood of Tal Al Hawa (تل الهوا), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.503611, 34.426944. 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
    24 – 31
  • (12 children7 women7 men2 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    Healthcare
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0112

Incident date

October 11, 2023

Location

شارعالفجم, Alfjm Street, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.343243, 34.325098 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least eight civilians, including eight members of the same family, were killed and a number of others were wounded when an alleged Israeli bomb hit the Samour family house on Al-Fajm Street, in the Bani Suhaila area, east of Khan Yunis, in the south of the Gaza Strip, on the evening of Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

Petra News reported that eight family members were killed, as well as a number of injured civilians. All were reportedly taken to Nasser Medical Hospital. Eight of the victims were identified by their family members as 62-year-old Rawhiya Muslim Sammour, 45-year-old Raafat Ibrahim Sammour, 35-year-old Assef Issa Sammour, his 37-year-old brother Musa Issa Sammour, Musa’s wife 31-year-old Hana Adel Al-Fajm. Three children, a 13-year-old boy named Ahmed Musa Sammour, a nine-year-old boy named Salem Musa Sammour, and a five-year-old girl named Ghazal Musa Salem Sammour were also among those killed.

Om Abdullah Hajras made a Facebook post mourning the death of her sister’s husband Abu Al-Abd Sammour; this is likely to be the nickname of one of the victims named above.

Al-Quds News reported on October 12th that there were 10 bodies believed to still be under the rubble. Airwars has not yet included these individuals in the casualty range, but will update the assessment should further information come to light.

Mahmoud Alraqeeb reported on Facebook that only three civilians were killed in the strike but all other sources, including the Samour family themselves, report at least eight were killed.

Al-Quds News reported that the bodies of the eight family members were quickly rescued from the rubble by rescue workers and were identified in the morgue by friends and relatives. The bodies of the Samour family were taken from the hospital, wrapped in burial shrouds and covered in a floral blanket, and placed in an empty square where hundreds of men prayed nearby.

@WWIIIAR claimed the strike took place without warning.

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 a belligerent, all sources attributed the strike 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 (8)

Rawhiya Muslim Sammour روحية مسلم سمور
62 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 943591032
Raafat Ibrahim Sammour رافت ابراهيم سمور
45 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 900330812
Assef Issa Sammour عاصف عيسى سمور
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 800324022
Musa Issa Sammour موسى عيسى سمور
37 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801350364
Hana Adel Al-Fajm هنا عادل الفجم
31 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 803582071
Ahmed Musa Sammour احمد موسى سمور
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 424516250
Salem Musa Sammour سالم موسى سمور
9 years old male killed
Ghazal Musa Salem Sammour غزل موسي سالم سمور
5 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 429735632

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3 children2 women3 men)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Om Abdullah hajras facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alarabiya facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohanad Alkhatib facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Brim family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Brim family facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Alfjm Street (شارعالفجم) east of Khan Younis (خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.343243, 34.325098. 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
    8
  • (3 children2 women3 men)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0111

Incident date

October 11, 2023

Location

مخيم خان يونس, Khan Younis camp, Khan Yunis, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.348333, 34.293889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Wednesday, October 11th 2023, an alleged Israeli airstrike killed between eight and 12 civilians, including four children, in a strike on the Abu al-Rish family house. The house was reportedly destroyed, while neighbouring homes in the center of the Khan Younis Camp, were severely damaged.

In addition to the children the attack, which according to the Al Mezan human rights group came without warning, killed five women and an elderly man, according to Alghad news. According to Wafa news, the victims belonged to four different families – five of them from the Abu al-Rish family, a woman and her infant from the Abu Shamala family, a boy from the Sharab family, and a young man from the Barghout family. The number of injured civilians was estimated between several and “dozens”.

It is reported that the airstrike killed the family of the director of Tribal Relations at the Department of Refugee Affairs, Abu Kayed Abu al-Rish, who survived the attack. His wife Hoda Khaled Rashid Sharab was reported killed alongside their three children: son Ahmed Muhammad Abu Al-Rish, daughters Iman Muhammad Abu Al-Rish and Sajal Muhammad Abu Al-Rish. Two children from another wife – a daughter Sama Muhammad Abu Al-Rish and a son Khaled Muhammad Abu al-Rish – were also identified as injured by Abu Kayed Abu al-Rish, who wrote in his Facebook post that Sama and Khaled were “injured and in danger”. Abu Kayed’s nephew, Ahmad Amein Abu Al-Rish, mentioned in his Facebook testimony that Khaled Muhammad Abu Al-Rish and Sama Muhammad Abu Al-Rish had been killed, so it is not clear whether they survived the attack.

According to Abu Kayed’s post, the attack also killed his relatives from the Abu Shamala family, a woman and her two infants, as well as ten-year-old boy Khaled Ali Sharab, nephew of the Hoda Khaled Rashid Sharab.

Another victim of the deadly strike was a neighbor of Abu Kayed, Khalil Bargout. Relatives and neighbours mourned the loss of Khalil, with tributes online: “To God’s mercy/My cousin / Khalil Ibrahim Bargout/We consider him a martyr….Allah is sufficient for me, and Allah is the best trustee”, “And do not think that those who were killed in the cause of God are dead; rather, they are alive with their Lord, being provided for….There was no fear for them, nor did they grieve”, and “ May God be pleased with you, may God accept you as our neighbors and loved ones, the Abu Al-Rish and the beloved Khalil Bargout.”

Abu Kayed wrote that the attack caused injuries “due to the force of the bombing that shook the camp.” Quds News mentioned several “injuries”, noting that medical sources said “the number of martyrs is likely to increase as ambulance crews were unable to extract all the martyrs and wounded from under the rubble, and due to the population density in the area.” On social media, Diya Taher posted that her cousin “was injured in the bombing of the Abu Al-Rish family home”, though Airwars was unable to identify the name of the cousin.

The Facebook posts by Khan Younis Facebook page, Ahmad Arafat and Alamal neighbourhood show the devastating aftermath of the bombing, noting that “Civil Defense crews search for survivors under the rubble of the Abu Al-Rish family home”.

Among the prominent members of the Abu Al-Rish family were Ahmed Abu Al-Rish (Abu Kayed), a prominent member of the Fatah political party in Gaza killed by Israeli forces in 1993, according to Quds News citing Palestinian News Agency Wafa.

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 local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Hoda Khaled Rashid Sharab هدى خالد رشيد شراب
42 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 906553706
Iman Muhammad Abu Al-Rish ايمان محمد ابو الريش
female Child of Hoda killed
Sajal Muhammad Abu Al-Rish سجال محمد ابو الريش
21 years old female Child of Hoda killed Matched to MoH ID 407891910
Ahmed Muhammad Abu Al-Rish احمد محمد ابو الريش
male Child of Hoda killed
Sama Muhammad Abu Al-Rish سما محمد ابو الريش
female Unclear if they were killed or injured
Khaled Muhammad Abu Al-Rish خالد محمد ابو الريش
male Unclear if they were killed or injured injured
Khaled Sharab خالد شراب
male Nephew of Hoda killed

Family members (2)

Unidentified woman from Abu Shamala امراة من بيت ابو شمالة
female killed
Unidentified infant from Abu Shamala طفلها من بيت ابو شمالة
killed

The victims were named as:

Khalil Bargout خليل البرغوث
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 14
  • (4 children5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Arafat facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Arafat facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Arafat facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Arafat facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alamal neighbourhood facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alamal neighbourhood facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alamal neighbourhood facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alamal neighbourhood facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Alamal neighbourhood facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed ABu Saleh facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saleem Shurab facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Reesh street facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abu Reesh street facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammed ABdulmenem facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdulwahab Fattouh facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: APA Image
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: UPIImage
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Khan Younis refugee camp (مخيم خان يونس), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.348333, 34.293889. 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
    8 – 14
  • (4 children5 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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

ISPT0134

Incident date

October 11, 2023

Location

شارع الزاوية, Al Zawya Street , Jabalia, Northern Governorate, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.505103, 34.463243 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the morning of Wednesday, 11 October 2023, at least 19 identified civilians, including at least 9 and up to 15 children, among them two infants, four siblings, and a mother with her four children, were killed and dozens were injured in an alleged Israeli airstrike that hit the Ezbet Abd Rabbo area, including Al-Zawiya street, in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza Strip. Most people killed were from the Al-Sawaleh (Al-Sawalha) family.

Numerous sources listed the names of those who were killed and put the death toll at 19 people. Some sources cited a range between 12 and 17 while noting the fact that these were preliminary figures and people were still being rescued from under the rubble and that therefore, the death toll was likely to increase.

Local sources cited “dozens” of civilians as injured without specifying a number.

Furthermore, posts by various eyewitnesses stated that: “Ezbet Abd Rabbo, east of Jabalia, is being subjected to very violent bombardment these moments” and another post stated that “most of the estate’s dwellings” were destroyed. A Facebook user Es Raa wrote: “Massacre in Ezba Abdiraba in Jabalya.. Families martyred and families trapped… And the bombing is still going on there!!!!”  Mahmoud Abd Rabbo Abu Hasanat stated “We appeal to all media outlets to provide first aid. There are martyrs and wounded everywhere,” while Lara Abedrabou alleged that ambulances were prevented from coming to the place of attack.

Social media tributes by relatives and friends helped to identify the names of 19 victims, among them at least 9 children – however, some ages of the victims are unknown. According to the post by Umm Yousef Abu Nijmeh, 15 children allegedly died in this attack.

The youngest child killed was an eight-month-old baby named Sham Mohammad Saleh Al-Sawaleh. He was amongst the four children of Maysaa Marah Ali Saleh Al-Sawaleh and her 22-year-old husband Muhammad Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh who were also killed along with their mother Maysaa and father Muhammad. Sham was killed alongside his elder brother, an 11-year-old Karim Muhammad Saleh Al-Sawaleh, and his two sisters – Habiba Al-Sawaleh whose age is unknown and a 10-year-old Marah Ali Saleh Al-Sawaleh.

Mohammad Ahmad, a member of the Al-Sawaleh family, shared a message after losing many of his family members:

“A massacre committed against my family members. Martyrs fell in one moment. The scenes were beyond painful and the pain reached the peak. The real pain is losing a loved one (…) May my sister Umm Ismail and my sister Umm Ahmed be patient with you Mohammad, Sabreen, Lamis, Nasmah, Marah, Habiba, Shadi, Adi, Aminah, Sham.”

Among those he was referring to in the post were four siblings killed in the attack: a 10-year-old girl Nisma Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh, a 12-year-old girl Lamis Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh, a 19-year-old girl Sabreen Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh, and a 22-year-old young man Muhammad Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh.  Ahmad El Otul posted a message with a photo of Muhammad Salah Al-Sawaleh reading: “My brother give light to my eyes and support may God make it easy for you” after he was found in the rubble of the building.

Furthermore, another mother, Jihan Saber Mohammad Saleh Abd Rabbo, was killed alongside her three children – a 6-year-old son Shadi Jameel Mahmoud Saleh Al-Sawaleh, a son Adi Mahmoud Saleh Al-Sawaleh and a daughter Amna Mahmoud Saleh Al-Sawaleh.

Baraa Esmael posted a condolence message for her 19-year-old niece Samar Abdel Muti Saleh Abdel Rabbo who was among the victims of the attack too: “May God reward us with the greatest reward for the martyr, my niece Samar Abdel Muti Abd Rabbo.”

Finally, a 24-year-old mother Yasmine Fawzi Ibrahim Faraj along with her infant son Usam (Essam) Mohammed Faraj, Mahmoud Muhammad Abd Rabbo Saleh, Suhail Majed Abd Rabbo, and a 9-year-old girl Fatima Samih Faraj Abd Rabbo were victims of this strike.

The sources did not identify the belligerent, but the Airwars has matched the names of some of the civilians killed with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023, which explicitly mentions that names on the list are “victims of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip”. Therefore. this incident has been graded as a Single Source Claim, and civilian harm status as Fair.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

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 morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Maysaa Marah Ali Saleh Al-Sawaleh ميساء مرح علي صالح الصوالح
Age unknown female killed
Muhammad Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh محمد صلاح صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
22 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 407045376
Sham Muhammad Saleh Al-Sawaleh شام محمد صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
0.8 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 444369920
Karim Muhammad Saleh Al-Sawaleh كريم محمد صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
11 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 433170701
Marah Ali Saleh Al-Sawaleh مرح علي صالح الصوالحه عبدربه
10 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 433170701
Habiba Muhammad Saleh Al-Sawaleh حبيبة محمد صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
Child female killed
Nisma Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh نسمه صلاح صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
10 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 434450995
Lamis Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh لميس صلاح صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
12 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 432345908
Sabreen Salah Saleh Al-Sawaleh صابرين صلاح صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
19 years old female Matched to MoH ID 420441495

Family members (4)

Jihan Saber Muhammad Saleh Abd Rabbo جيهان صابر محمد صالح عبدربه
Age unknown killed
Adi Mahmoud Saleh Al-Sawaleh عدي محمود صالح الصوالحه عبدربه
Age unknown male killed
Amna Mahmoud Saleh Al-Sawaleh آمنه محمود صالح الصوالحه عبدربه
Age unknown female killed
Shadi Jameel Mahmoud Saleh Al-Sawaleh شادي محمود صالح الصوالحة عبدربه
6 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 438197212

Family members (2)

Yasmine Fawzi Ibrahim Faraj ياسمين فوزي فرج عبدربه
24 years old killed Matched to MoH ID 400257341
Usam Mohamed Usam Faraj عصام محمد فرج
0.6 years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Samar Abdel Muti Saleh Abdel Rabbo سمر عبد المعطي عبدربه
19 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 421158213
Mahmoud Muhammad Abd Rabbo Saleh محمود محمد عبدربه صالح
Age unknown male killed
Suhail Majed Abd Rabbo سهيل ماجد عبدربه
Age unknown killed
Fatima Samih Musbah Faraj فاطمة سميح فرج عبدرب
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 434631933

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (9–15 children4–5 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmed El Otul
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Ahmad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Ahmad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohammad Ahmad
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Al Zawya Street  (شارع الزاوية), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.505103, 34.463243. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    IDP or refugee camp
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    19
  • (9–15 children4–5 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]