On October 1st, 2024, at least 11 civilians were reported killed and 26 others were injured by alleged Israeli strikes on tents housing displaced people in Khan Younis and a group of people trying to help the survivors of the initial strike. Four other individuals were killed: four of whom were identified as militants and one of whom was recorded with a contested civilian status. Out of the identified civilians, those killed were mostly from four families: the Zenon family, the al-Jaidi family, the al-Masri family, and the al-Qatrous family.
The Zenon Family
The Zenon family experienced the loss of eight members, including 36-year-old Mohammed Kaid Farhan Zenon – a militant also known as “Abu Musab,” and nicknamed “Buba” – and his pregnant wife 30-year-old Ahed Atef Farhan Zenon “Umm Musab,” along with their children seven-year-old Jourie Mohammed Kaid Zenon and Obaida Mohammed Kaid Zenon. The strike also claimed the lives of Mohammed’s cousins, 20-year-old Karim Atef Farhan Zenon, 25-year-old Waad Atef Farhan Zenon, 48-year-old Khaled Zaki Nassar Zenon “Abu Ibrahim” and 29-year-old Ahmed Salim Nassar Zenon “Abu Salim.”
The Zenon family was mourned across social media. Hussin Zenon posted on social media expressing deep condolences for the losses within the Zenon family. His post specifically mourns the young Jourie. He reflected on the immense personal loss and extended condolences to the broader family, asking for patience and solace for those affected.
A video shared by Facebook user Yehya Al Yaqobi showed Mohammed and Ahed’s surviving son Musab crying as he reconciled with the loss of his family. Yehya Al Yaqobi later reflected on the aftermath of the incident, sharing that “the looks of shock and helplessness from relatives and loved ones were painful.” On entering the morgue, Yehya ruminated on those killed and those who survived: “The martyrs slept in their shrouds without moving, in silence, while the tongues of the mourners were clamoring and their eyes were burning with sadness and pain.”
The al-Jaidi Family
Another family, the Al-Jaidi family, lost family members 42-year-old Rami Abdul Rahman al-Jaidi (Abu Abdul) and his son 16-year-old Abdul Rahman Rami Abdul Rahman al-Jaidi.
The Palestinian Bar Association Gaza posted on social media about the death of their colleague, lawyer Rami Abdel Rahman al-Jaidi. Ayman S Barhoom referred to his friend Abu Abdul as a teacher and educator in a Facebook post. However, Facebook user Saeed Salman wrote of Rami that he was “the Mujahid, [and] son of the Fatah Liberation Movement.” Abed Barbakh Abu Alam corroborated this, adding that Rami was a “member of the Martyr Faisal Al-Husseini region of the Fatah movement.” Though no further details regarding Rami’s actions as a “Mujahid” or his time with Fatah were revealed, due to the “Mujahid” reference, his civilian status is contested. Should further details become known, Airwars will update this assessment.
The al-Masri Family
Three members of the al-Masri family were also killed by the Israeli bombardment and two have been recorded as militants: Mohammed al-Masri, 42-year-old Mashhour Ibrahim Awad al-Masri “Atia” (a militant), and 38-year-old Youssef Mohamed Youssef al-Masri (a militant).
Various posts on social media, many from what seem to be family members, also mourned and offered prayers for the deaths.
On October 2nd, 2024, Mawqie Alwifaq-Ayilat al-Masri posted on Facebook a series of photos of the funeral of Mashhour Ibrahim Awad al-Masri, showing a group of men praying over a shroud. Other photos show a plot, with Mashhour’s body being lowered into it.
The al-Qatrous Family
Additionally, the al-Qatrous family lost both 43-year-old Mohammed Awni al-Qatrous and his son 16-year-old Kareem Mohammed Awni al-Qatrous in the same incident.
Social media posts mourned the death of Mohammed and his oldest son Kareem. Facebook user Qal’at Al Janoub specified that Mohammed and Kareem were originally from Rafah, and had been displaced to Khan Younis.
Facebook user Karam Dwaik, offering condolences to the al-Qatrous family, reflected that due to the intensity and frequency of strikes, “Every day we lose a loved one.”
Mohammed’s father Am Eyad Al Qatrous remembered his son and grandson: “My beloved son, a thousand mercies and light be upon you and my precious grandson Kareem in heaven and its delights, my son, I miss you, Muhammad, and I miss your sweet laughter, I miss your voice, I miss your words with me and your sweet stories.” The loss was insurmountable: “By God, Muhammad, you are dead under the ground and I am dead above the ground without you, my son.”
45-year-old Basel Salah al-Akhras was also reportedly among those killed in Khan Younis and has been recorded as a militant. The “Al-Akhras family in the homeland and diaspora” Facebook page memorialized Basel.
According to Abd Alrahman Mohammad, Basel was killed along with Mohammed Kaid Farhan Zenon and Youssef Mohamed Youssef al-Masry when their Jeep Tuscan vehicle was “targeted.” A Facebook post from Boumedienne Naado quoted Hadath newspaper who spoke with eyewitness that stated that “the targeted jeep was helping to transport the martyrs and wounded of the first raid that targeted a tent west of Khan Younis city, so it was targeted and those inside were martyred.” Multiple sources put the number of people killed in the “civilian vehicle behind the Austrian Towers west of Khan Younis” at between five and six.
Family members posted tributes to Basel in the days after he was killed. The tributes referred to him as the "valiant king", "valiant knight", and "valiant leader", as well as "brave" and "heroic". While these invocations may not necessarily indicate militancy and may be used to laud Basel for otherwise engaging in a political or national struggle, since he was killed in a vehicle alongside Mohammed Kaid and Youssef Mohamed, both of whom have been recorded as militants, the invocations have been taken to indicate militancy and Basel has been recorded as such. This will be updated should additional information become available.
Shorouk News reported that in addition to the death of 11 people, “others” were also injured and were transferred to Nasser Hospital while a Facebook post from “Arab TV” stated that 10 people had been killed and 26 others were wounded.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health regularly provided information on the casualty figures and hospital admissions. News outlets like Wafa News Agency often relayed these updates.
Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) lists, which include national ID numbers. Since October 26, 2023 the MoH has released six lists, along with an additional list of medical professionals, which was released on September 17, 2024. Airwars is matching individuals to the first list where their name appeared. In regard to this incident, names are matched to the seventh ‘Palestinian Ministry of Health List of Fatalities in Gaza’ list, which was released on October 23, 2024. Additional ages of victims have been found by cross-checking names against lists of fatalities shared online by Shireen Monitor, an organisation which has a list of “Martyrs of Palestine” from 2023 onward.
Where sources could attribute responsibility, all pointed to Israeli forces.