At least six civilians were killed and at least 11 others, based on images, were injured after an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Al Khatib residence, in the neighbourhood of Al Jenina, Rafah on 23 October, 2023.
Six civilians were reported killed. Four-year-old Muhammad Bahaa al-Din al-Kahlot was killed, after having been displaced from the Gaza City neighbourhood of Tel al-Hawa; pictures were shared on social media reportedly of his corpse wrapped in a body bag.
46-year-old Ahmed Youssef Abdel-Jabbar Awad was also killed. Nimah Ali Qasim Obaid al-Sufi was killed with her son, Shadi Ahmed Sabah Obaid al-Sufi; a video shared by Facebook user Ahmed Farg shows medical personnel attempting CPR on Shadi al-Sufi; they were unable to revive him. Another mother and son, 55-year-old Wafa Othman Hassan al-Khatib and 24-year-old engineer Muhammad Youssef Muhammad al-Khatib were also killed.
Family and friends on social media mourned their losses. Facebook user Nour Yahya grieved the loss of her aunt Wafa and cousin Muhammad, praying that they would eventually “meet in heaven.” She included photos of a family celebration, presumably Muhammad’s birthday. A smiling Muhammad holds a cake with his photograph superimposed onto it. Rowaida Abu Obeid remembered Wafa as someone with “a beautiful appearance, a smiling face, a kind heart, a calm character” who was “beloved by everyone, young and old.” Muhammad was remembered as “polite and kind.”
User Alaa Yahya similarly mourned her aunt, Nimah, asking that “God have mercy” on the deceased. Facebook user “Abu Hmza” remembered Shadi as one of the “purest […] and kindest men in Rafah,” deeming him “loyal and trustworthy.”
Several injuries were also documented. In a video shared by Facebook user “Poor Wolf,” two children are noticeably traumatized, bloodied, and covered in dust. Facebook user “Understanding” reported “injuries among children” after the strike, including an image of two children at a medical center. The boy pictured in the foreground is scratched and blood-stained, and is receiving medical care. In pictures shared by multiple social media users, 11 children appear injured. In a photograph shared by user Adli Abu Taha, a man is lying on a stretcher, being rushed towards care.
According to Shorouk News, the strike occurred “without warning.” Twitter/X user Wael Abo Omer included a picture reportedly of the missile used; the US company “Woodward” is clearly visible on the munition. Images of the destruction wrought by the attack were shared on social media; the building has completely collapsed, and there is visible damage to neighboring buildings.
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 forces.