On Saturday, October 21, 2023, the Al-Masry family home in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza Strip, was allegedly bombed by Israeli forces, resulting in at least six deaths and at least eight injuries. A seventh person was killed and has been recorded with a contested civilian status.
63-year old Ramadan al-Masry (also known as Abu Munther) and his wife, 63-year old Intisar al-Masry (also known as Umm Munther) were killed alongside their son, 25-year old Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry (contested), daughter-in-law, 24-year old Rawan al-Masry, daughter Iman al-Masry and two grandsons, one-year old Ayman Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry (the son of Ahmed and Rawan al-Masry) and 11-year old Yahya Shaheen (the son of Iman al-Masry).
Family members and friends of the Al-Masry wrote heartfelt tributes on social media, where they described their grief.
Ahmed al-Masry was the Muezzin and imam at the Abu Salim Mosque, and was described as a “beautiful preacher,” who had “memorized the Book of God.” Facebook user Reda Al-Bahrawi Abu Munis claimed that he left behind “a legacy of faith and noble service” and was a “symbol of dedication and sincerity.” His sacrifice, Reda wrote, “reminds us of unity and dedication to serving God and society.” In a picture included by Twitter/X user Arafa al-Masry, he can be seen carrying his son, wearing graduation regalia. His son Ayman, has his father’s graduation cap perched on his head.
Yahya Shaheen was the only son of Sultan Shaheen and Iman al-Masry. Multiple images show him smiling with his father. Yahya was described as “the first in his class.” At his young age, he had already memorized the Quran.
When Airwars first published this incident, no open sources were found to suggest that Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry was a militant. As such, Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry was recorded as a civilian. This was in line with Airwars’ methodology which is employed across all conflicts we document, and informed by international standards regarding the ‘presumption of civilian status'. Specifically, as outlined by the International Committee of the Red Cross, civilian status is assumed until evidence is identified to the contrary.
On February 24, 2026, a Telegram account which has frequently shared commemorative posters to individuals it refers to as 'fighters' published a tribute to Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry, identifying him as such.
However, family and friends posted frequently in the days following the strike, in memory of Ahmed and his family members, and never referred to Ahmed having been involved in militant activity. Additionally, unlike other Telegram accounts posting tributes to individuals who were militants, this account and accompanying post did not show Ahmed in military clothes, a militant position, or holding a weapon. Instead, the image shared was one shared by family in the days after his death. Additionally, other accounts frequently post video compilations showing the individual involved in militant activity and pledging allegiance to a group. No such video was shared.
In light of the post that was shared - a photo originally shared by a family member, superimposed on a poster naming him as a 'mujahed' (fighter) - Airwars has changed Ahmed Ramadan al-Masry's status from civilian to contested and changed the minimum number of civilians reportedly killed in this incident from seven to six. This will be updated should additional information become available.
Multiple photographs showed the destruction in the wake of the strike. Nabd News included images of medics and civil defense members carrying wounded civilians into the hospital. One crew member can be seen cradling an elderly gentleman, covered in dust, as he brings him to receive medical attention. Other photographs show medics caring for women, one of whom has a severe head injury, blood staining her hijab. Though written references to the number of injured are not available, images show at least eight wounded.
Images of the street show the building reduced to rubble.
Where the sources identified the belligerent, sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.
Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.