On October 22nd 2023, at least 18 civilians – including seven women and six children – were killed after an alleged Israeli airstrike on the ‘Al-Astal’ family home in central Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Many others were reported injured, though exact figures are unknown. Two other fatalities were recorded, one of whom has been recorded as a militant and another with contested militant status.
The patriarch of the family, 61-year old Muhammad Sukeiman Turki al-Astal was killed with his wife, 60-year old Salwa Muhammad Khalil al-Astal. Their sons, 24-year old Osama Muhammad Suleiman al-Astal and 23-year old Hisham Muhammad Suleiman al-Astal were killed, with their daughters, 17-year old Sarah Muhammad Suleiman al-Astal, 19-year old Samah Muhammad Suleiman al-Astal and 32-year old Samar Muhammad Suleiman al-Astal.
Samah’s son, three-year old Muhammad Muhammad Basman Saqr was killed with his mother, as was her other son, Abdul Rahman Basman Saqr. It is possible Abdul Rahman Basman Saqr died later of his injuries, as was noted in a post from the Saqer Family Facebook. The post included a picture of Abdul, who appeared under five.
22-year old Muhammad Nasser Suleiman al-Astal was also killed, as was 48-year old Marwa Youssef al-Astal. Muhammad’s brother, 26-year old Hamza Nasser Suleiman al-Astal (a militant) was also killed with his wife, Shaima Sobhi al-Qadra. Their daughter, one-year old Marwa Hamza Nasser Suleiman al-Astal was also killed.
Muhammad’s sister, 24-year old Hafsa Nasser Suleiman al-Astal was killed with her husband, 34-year old Mazen al-Akkad (contested). Their other sisters, 11-year old Weam Nasser Suleiman al-Astal, 19-year old Sarah Nasser Suleiman al-Astal, and 15-year old Fatima Nasser Suleiman al-Astal were also killed, as was 22-year old Mohamed Mahmoud Ahmed Ziyad al-Astal.
Shehab Agency initially reported that three civilians, “two women and a girl,” were killed during the strike. However, later reports indicate that the death toll was much higher. Multiple sources claimed that many of those killed and wounded during the incident were trapped under the rubble of the Al-Astal family home during the early stages of reporting; it is likely for this reason that initial casualty counts were low.
Facebook user Khaled Abdel Salam Abu Walid posted a video showing the aftermath of the strike. In this video, people are seen congregating around a building that has rubble scattered around it. An accompanying image shows a wider shot of the affected area, where there are clear indications of damage. At the time of the post, Khaled Abdel Salam Abu Walid stated that eight civilians had been killed and “many” wounded.
The Safa PS News agency reported that the total number of civilians killed during the airstrike had risen to 20 by dawn the next day. This was confirmed by Facebook user Khaled Abdulsalam, in a post in which he named 20 members of his family who had died during the incident.
Images showed the destruction caused by the strike. Pictures attached show multiple bodies wrapped in body bags being transported—presumably to a hospital or burial ground— in the bed of a truck.
Facebook user Adel Zourub, a journalist, posted additional images of the bodies being loaded onto the truck by plain clothed individuals. One of the individuals can be seen holding a swaddled bundle in his arms, presumably of a young child. Another Facebook user, Alkhalijiu, also attached images documenting harm to the children, including a photo of a young boy on a stretcher. Clearly deceased, the boy is covered in blood and dust.
Since the incident, members of the Al-Astal family and other friends have posted testimonials online. Facebook user Jabr al-Akkad posted memorial pictures of Mazen al-Akkad in both formal and casual dress. Maryam Ali al-Astal posted a tribute to her family on Facebook. The family, she wrote, had “suffered greatly.” She remembered Salwa al-Astal as “dear and affectionate,” and asked that God grant the family “patience and solace.” Sufyan Akkad posted multiple photos of the deceased on Facebook, showing members of the family across multiple generations. Facebook user Zeina Muhammad similarly paid tribute to Salwa Muhammad Khali Al-Astal along with her sister’s husband, their two sons and three daughters. She attached multiple prayers for the family.
Where sources identified the belligerent, all 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.