At least 16 people, including 11 children, were killed and a number of others injured after an alleged Israeli bombardment on the al-Naja residence in the Brazil neighbourhood of Rafah at dawn on October 23rd, 2023.
The patriarch of the family, 59-year-old Hosni Abu al-Naja was killed along with his wife, 49-year old Yasmine Mahmoud Abu Naja. Their son, 30-year-old Muhammad Hosni Ahmed Abu Naja, was killed, as was his wife, 24-year-old Maysoon Jasser Muhammad Khafaja. Hosni and Yasmine’s daughters – 15-year-old Batoul Hosni Ahmed Abu Naja, 13-year-old Maryam and 12-year-old Aya – were also killed, as were their two sons: 10-year-old Zechariah and 7-year-old Isa.
Along with their children, several of Hosni and Yasmine’s grandchildren were also killed. 10-year-old Ibrahim Islam Ali Abu Sanjar was killed along with his three brothers—Mustafa Islam Ali Abu Sanjar (2 or 3), Malik Islam Ali Abu Sanjar (6), Anas Islam Ali Abu Sanjar (5)—and sister, 8-year-old Yusra Islam Ali Abu Sanjar. It is unclear as to what became of the parents of these children.
Two others were killed: 26-year-old Israa Khalil Ahmed Baroud and 15-year-old Osama Suleiman Brahma.
Information regarding the deceased has been relatively scant. Hosni Abu al-Naja has been described as both a Sheikh and professor. A post on Facebook from Abdullah al-Oms described him as a “good man” and “honourable.”
Sources attached photographs of Mohammad and his father. While social media condolence posts were brief in their descriptions, multiple lamented the loss of members of the family, attaching prayers and hopes for heavenly rest.
Middle East Observer stated that the victims were “transferred to Abu Youssef Al-Najjar and Al-Kuwaiti hospitals.” Multiple sources mentioned “injuries” but did not specify how many injuries.
According to Afnan Kholoud Nahed, the location which was struck, Hosni Abu Al-Naga’s house, was completely destroyed.
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.