Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT0020

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

مخيم البريج, Al Bureij Camp , Deir al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.437934, 34.403857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Sunday, October 8th 2023, at least 15 members of the al-Nabahin family, including 10 children, four women and one young man were killed when alleged Israeli airstrikes struck their family home, destroying all four floors and a neighboring house east of Al-Bureij camp. On Twitter, one source commented on the attack: “The family of Hajj #Fathi Al-Nabahin and his children, his children’s wives and his children’s children #east of Al-Bureij camp are all under the rubble. A large family (father, children and grandchildren)”.

The names and ages of 14 of the civilians killed were provided by Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights – and 10 of them were reconciled with the list of victims killed published by the Palestinian Ministry of Health on October 26th: Ola Al-Muqadamah Al-Nabahin (wife of Fadi Fathi Al-Nabahin), Hadeel Abdel Fattah Attiya al-Nabahin (25), Ola Ziyad Abdel Aziz al-Nabahin (26), Areeh Fadi Fathi al-Nabahin (9), Muhammad Fadi Fathi al-Nabahin (8), Adam Fadi Fathi al-Nabahin (7), Qais Fadi Fathi al-Nabahin (2), Kenan Tamer Fathi Attiya al-Nabahin (7 or 8 year-old, depending on local sources, son of Tamer al-Nabahin), Rayan Tamer Fathi Attiya al-Nabahin (5, son of Tamer al-Nabahin), Maryam Tamer Fathi Attiya al-Nabahin (2, daughter of Tamer al-Nabahin), Jamal Ibrahim Attiya al-Nabahin (7), Muhammad Jaafar Attiya al-Nabahin (13 or 15), Rahaf Jaafar Attiya al-Nabahin (15 or 16), and Attiya Fathi Attiya al-Nabahin (24). On Twitter/X, Nihad Abo Ghayoun also identified a fifteenth victim, a woman, Halima Al-Nabahin, without indicating her age. He claimed that six bodies of Al-Nabahin members were initially transported to Al-Aqsa hospital. Multiple sources on social and local media confirmed the strikes and the victims’ details, including the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, the Al-Haq Foundation and the Adalah Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel. According to the Adalah Center and Al-Mezan Center, both organisations had been representing the 24 year old victim Attiya Fathi Attia al-Nabahin in a long-term legal battle since 2014 to demand civil compensation after he was injured at the age of 15 by Israeli sniper fire, which left him permanently paralyzed from the neck down.

Osama Burhem, Attiya’s friend, also shared similar details about this story on social media, recalling in a tearful text that “a soldier shot him for no reason”, adding “this day/The same soldier bombed the whole house / May Attiya and most of his family ascend to heaven (…) This child who was wronged by the entire universe (…)  the heart cries over the injustice you experienced/ May God have mercy on you and your family Goodbye to Uncle Abu Tariq, Umm Tariq, and the rest of the family / Patience for Tamer if he is still alive” Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights recorded Tamer al-Nabahin’s eyewitness testimony. Tamer, Attiya’s brother, told Al-Mezan that he survived the bombing alongside his pregnant wife, and that the house was bombed at a time when his three children were playing with their cousins in the entrance to the house – all of whom were killed.

The Kid’s Palace Kindergarten school posted a tribute to Tamer’s children: 5 year old student Rayan Tamer Fathi Attiya al-Nabahin, his brother 7 year old Kenan Tamer Fathi Attiya al-Nabahin who was a former student, and 2 year old Maryam Tamer Fathi Attiya al-Nabahin, their younger sister. They also mourned the death of the mother of “Fathi Al-Nabahin” without providing her name or age. Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023. Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. Al-Mezan said that there was no warning given prior to the strike. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 am in the morning.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 11:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (16)

Ola Al-Muqadamah Al-Nabahin عُلا المقادمة النباهين
Adult female wife of Fadi Fathi Al-Nabahin killed
Ola Ziyad Abdel Aziz al-Nabahin علا زياد عبدالعزيز النباهين
26 years old female killed
9 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 434643706
8 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 435805353
7 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 437268766
Qais Fadi Fathi al-Nabahin قيس فادي فتحي النباهين
2 years old male killed
7 years old male son of Tamer al-Nabahin, matched with MoH ID number 438156390 killed
5 years old male son of Tamer al-Nabahin, matched with MoH ID number 440668507 killed
2 years old female daughter of Tamer al-Nabahin, , matched with MoH ID number 445201734 killed
Jamal Ibrahim Attiya al-Nabahin جمال ابراهيم عطية النباهين
7 years old male killed
13 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 429408727
15 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 426209417
24 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 404772931
Halima Al-Nabahin حليمة النباهين
Adult female killed
mother of “Fathi Al-Nabahin
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (10 children4–5 women1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kids Palace Kindergarten
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Kids Palace Kindergarten
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Osama Burhem
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah Abo Rezq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah Abo Rezq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah Abo Rezq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abdullah Abo Rezq
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Feda M Mubarak
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um Mahmoud Al Nabahin
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mukhraz misk
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Bureij camp (مخيم البريج), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.437934, 34.403857. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (10 children4–5 women1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Impact
    Education
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0035

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

الزوايدة, Az Zawayda, Deir Al Balah, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.429871, 34.370784 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 8th 2023, seven civilians, Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab (35 years old), his wife Rabab Marazeeq Abu Rikab (28 years old), and their five children Nida Abu Rikab (11 years old), Tala Abu Rikab (10 years old), Maria Abu Rikab (eight years old), Sewar Abu Rikab (six years old) and Sham Abu Rikab (four years old) were killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on their home in Az-Zawaida in the central governorate of the Gaza Strip.

Multiple Facebook posts reported the deaths of these civilians as a consequence of the strike, including a post from Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab’s cousin. Photos shared on Twitter/X by @i_07070 showed the bombed out shell of a house surrounded by rubble.

Shehab agency and an Al-Mezan report noted that at the time people were still trapped under the rubble and therefore the final death toll or number of people wounded might increase.

Al-Mezan’s report noted that seven Palestinians were killed including six children, while all other reports identified two adults and five children killed. All names reported were found by Airwars in the Palestinian Ministry of Health database published on October 26th 2023, with corresponding ages confirming that five of those killed were children.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab جهاد عبدالله ا ابو ركاب
35 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 802242560
Rabab Maraziq Farhan Abu Rikab رباب مرازيق فرحان ابو ركاب
28 years old female Jihad's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 400899191
Nadha Jihad Abdul Allah Abu Rikab نداء جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
11 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 432190593
Tala Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab تالا جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
10 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 434455499
Maria Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab ماريا جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
8 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 436102685
Sewar Jihad Abdullah Abu Rikab سوار جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
6 years old female their child killed Matched to MoH ID 438217895
Sham Jihad Abdullah Aburkab شام جهاد عبدالله ابو ركاب
4 years old male their child killed Matched to MoH ID 438392193

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (5–6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Saleh Suleiman facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ahmad Mohammed Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ibrahim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Aref Hassan Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Aref Hassan Facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: MFA Palestine facebook
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Az Zawayda (الزوايده‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Az Zawayda are: 31.429871, 34.370784.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (5–6 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0032

Incident date

October 8, 2023

Location

جوار مسجد عبد العزام, Vicinity of Abdel Azzam Mosque, North Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.545256, 34.525208 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 8th 2023, at around 12:30pm, the Al Zaneen family house located near Abdel Azzam Mosque in Izbet Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, was allegedly bombed by an Israeli warplane. At least 21 members of the large Al Zaneen family were killed across three generations: 66-year old Jamil Hassan Muhammad Al Zaneen (Abu Muhammad) and his wife Salma Hussein Muhammad Al Zaneen, together with their three sons, Dr. Mohammed Jameel Al Zaneen, Hussam Jameel Al Zaneen and Hamza Jameel Al Zaneen, and their sons’ wives and children.

The large four-storey house housed around thirty people overall, and was reported to be completely destroyed. Initially Wattan news reported that nine members of the Al Zaneen family were killed, and some were wounded in a critical condition. But later most sources reported that 21 people, including 11 children (five boys and six girls) and five women, were killed. Their remains were transferred to the Indonesian hospital as they were removed from the rubble by Palestinian medical and civil defense teams, according to the Defense for Children International Palestine. In total, Airwars identified the names of 22 victims from Al Zaneen family through local reporting and relatives obituaries: 12 children, five women and five men killed in the bombing. Only one source, @fidaazaanin, also recorded the death of Jamil Hassan Muhammad Al Zaneen (Abu Muhammad). As such, Airwars estimated that between 21 to 22 civilians were killed in the airstrike.

Dr. Mohammed Jameel Al Zaneen was one of the doctoral student graduates at the University of Islamic Sciences Malaysia USIM. The Malaysia Branch of the General Union of Palestine Students honoured his memory in a dedicated post and extended its deepest condolences and sympathy to Al Zaneen family.

Dr. Al Zaneen was on vacation with his family in the Gaza Strip at the time of the attack. His wife Kholoud Muhammad Hassan Al Zaneen and their four sons – a twelve-year old Hasan Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen, a nine-year old Obaida Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen, a seven-year old Khaled Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen, and four-year old Amr Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen lost their lives in this tragic incident, survived only by one son.

Maruwan Alshireedi remembers that just the day before the attack the five sons of Dr. Mohammed Al Zaneen were reciting and memorizing the Qur’an with him. He wrote in a heartfelt testimony: “The eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, and people are sad to hear this news. Abaqa Biladi, a teacher of the two older Al Zaneen’s sons, wrote in a Facebook post: “Khaled and Obaida were my polite and intelligent students”.

Another son of Salma Hussein Muhammad Al Zaneen, Hussam Jameel Al Zaneen, killed in the strike as highlighted above, will be remembered for his “beautiful qualities, good morals, and unprecedented calm”, according to the Facebook testimony by his friend Qasem Abo Sido. He was killed together with his wife Heba Ismail Hussein Al Zaneen, their twelve-year old son Mouamen Hussam Jamil Zaneen and their five daughters – Misk Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen, a nine-year old Nour Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen, a seven-year old Zaina Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen, a five-year old Mais Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen, and a one year-old Hala Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen.

Also killed in the strike were Diana Mahmoud Muhammad Atta Al Zaneen, Risala Al Zaneen, and her two daughters, a five-year old Salma Omar Jameel Al Zaneen and a three-year old Balsam Omar Jameel Al Zaneen. Diana and Risala were reported to be the daughters-in-law of of Jamil al Zaneen. A post from Mohannad Mustafa Al Zaneen also indicated that Risala was pregnant at the time she was killed. Their cousin Anas Muhammad Hassan Al Zaneen was also among the victims.

Journalist Hani Abu Razouk documented a poignant clip of a woman from the Al Zaneen family crying after more than 20 members of her family were killed. She said: “All of them were martyred. All of them died. All of them went. More than 20 people in the house. They bombed them without warning.”

The photojournalist shared another clip of a woman crying for her daughter after she was killed in the bombing, saying, “My daughter is gone… she’s gone, for God’s sake, tell me if she is alive!”

Where possible, names have been matched with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of fatalities in Gaza released on October 26th, 2023.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured at approximately 12:30 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (22)

Jamil Hassan Muhammad Al Zaneen (Abu Muhammad)
66 years old male killed
Salma Hussein Muhammad Al Zaneen سلمى حسين محمد الزعانين
Adult female Jamil's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 440417038
Dr. Mohammed Jameel Al Zaneen
Adult male Jamil and Salma's son killed Matched to MoH ID 800001505
Hussam Jameel Al Zaneen
Adult male Jamil and Salma's son killed Matched to MoH ID 800693962
Hamza Jameel Al Zaneen
Adult male Jamil and Salma's son killed Matched to MoH ID 409768934
Kholoud Muhammad Hassan Al Zaneen
Adult female Dr. Mohammed Jameel Al Zaneen's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 801827767
Hasan Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen
12 years old male Dr Mohammad and Kholoud's son killed Matched to MoH ID 430778316
Obaida Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen
9 years old male Dr Mohammad and Kholoud's son killed Matched to MoH ID 434010500
Khaled Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen
7 years old male Dr Mohammad and Kholoud's son killed Matched to MoH ID 436045090
Amr Muhammad Jamil Al Zaneen
4 years old male Dr Mohammad and Kholoud's son killed Matched to MoH ID 438555757
Heba Ismail Hussein Al Zaneen
Adult female Hussam's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 802596387
Mouamen Hussam Jamil Zaneen
12 years old male Heba and Hussam's son killed Matched to MoH ID 430114249
Misk Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen
Child female Heba and Hussam's daughter killed
Nour Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen
9 years old female Heba and Hussam's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 432974228
Zaina Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen
7 years old female Heba and Hussam's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 436966196
Mais Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen
5 years old female Heba and Hussam's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 440410082
Hala Hussam Jamil Al Zaneen
1 years old female Heba and Hussam's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 445745797
Diana Mahmoud Muhammad Atta Al Zaneen
Adult female killed Matched to MoH ID 402903033
Risala Al Zaneen
Adult female pregnant killed Matched to MoH ID 402903157
Salma Omar Jameel Al Zaneen
5 years old female Risala's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 440417038
Balsam Omar Jameel Al Zaneen
3 years old female Risala's daughter killed Matched to MoH ID 443124755
Anas Muhammad Hassan Al Zaneen
Adult male Risala's cousin killed Matched to MoH ID 407695204

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 22
  • (12 children5 women4–5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (36) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Qasem Abo Sido
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abaqa Biladi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abaqa Biladi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abaqa Biladi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abaqa Biladi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abaqa Biladi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Future steps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Maruwan.alshireedi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Maruwan.alshireedi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaneen family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaneen family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaneen family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaneen family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaneen family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaneen family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Ata Al Zaneen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Islam Mus Al Zaneen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: The General Union of Palestinian Students-Malaysia
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @fidaazaanin
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @fidaazaanin
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @fidaazaanin
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @fidaazaanin
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Hakeam_ps
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohannad Mustafa Al Zaneen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohannad Mustafa Al Zaneen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohannad Mustafa Al Zaneen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mohannad Mustafa Al Zaneen
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Abdel Azzam Mosque (مسجد عبد العزام) in the village of Izbat Beit Hanoun (عزبة بيت حانون). Analysing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to the following exact coordinates: 31.545256, 34.525208.

{"type":"FeatureCollection","features":[{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"Exact Location","label-type":"black-white"},"geometry":{"coordinates":[34.525208,31.545256],"type":"Point"}},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"A","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.52543362205114,31.545451903489763],[34.52562991602068,31.545615207037656],[34.52542193788676,31.54569486720112],[34.52526537007731,31.545633130580427],[34.52524667541394,31.545499699679752],[34.52543362205114,31.545451903489763]]],"type":"Polygon"},"id":1},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"B","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.52511814960013,31.545752620777478],[34.52504570777893,31.54555347036424],[34.525171896757996,31.545531563792636],[34.52523265441613,31.54572473974497],[34.52511814960013,31.545752620777478]]],"type":"Polygon"},"id":2},{"type":"Feature","properties":{"label":"C","label-type":"white-red","stroke":"#ff0000","stroke-width":1,"stroke-opacity":1,"fill-opacity":0},"geometry":{"coordinates":[[[34.524699858970905,31.54529507977665],[34.52468116430762,31.54523334289145],[34.52473257463208,31.54522139381214],[34.524716216802176,31.545141733244563],[34.524849416281455,31.54512779263841],[34.52485876361246,31.545177580508494],[34.524882131942604,31.545279147681484],[34.524699858970905,31.54529507977665]]],"type":"Polygon"}}]}
  • Imagery:
    Roya Palestine

  • Imagery:
    Al Haya ps

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21 – 22
  • (12 children5 women4–5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT0004

Incident date

October 7, 2023

Location

منزل لعائلة الدوس  في حي الزيتون جنوب مدينة غزة, home of the Al-Dous family in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City., Gaza, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.485479, 34.444885 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Israeli airstrike using several missiles struck a residential building in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Gaza in the evening of October 7th, 2023. Fifteen members of the Al-Dous family, including seven children, were reportedly killed due to the destruction of their home. Awni Adel Al-Dous and his wife Ibtisam Mohammed Khalil Al-Dous had sons and grandchildren who lived in the same three-storey household.

Juma Al-Dous posted that “more than 15 people” from the family were under the rubble while DCI Palestine reported that ten people, including five children, were killed. Airwars has adopted a minimum casualty estimate of 15, given that fifteen victims were named by local sources and relatives of the family. Amnesty International also reported 15 deaths from Al-Dous family members.

The following names were identified by reviewing sources from various social media posts by individuals in the neighborhood, family members and the Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCI Palestine): Awni Adel Al-Dous and his wife Ibtisam Mohammed Khalil Al-Dous; and children Ibtisam Adel Awni Al-Dous, 17 years old, Rawand Adel Awni Al-Dous, 15 years old, Awni Adel Al-Dous, 12 years old, Ahmad Adel Awni Al-Dous, 10 years old, Rakan Mohammad Awni Al-Dous, four years old, Zaid Adel Awni Al-Dous, three years old, and the youngest child killed Adam Osama Al-Dous was just 18 months old.

A post from Nrmeen Mamdouh identified Ibtisam Adel Awni Al-Dous as a student who received a grade of 100% during her 11th academic year. Shuhada Al-Zaytoun Basic School for Boys offered condolences to “the brilliant student” Awni Adel Awni Al-Dous. Another post identified Awni as a Youtuber who wanted to be famous. Yahya Al Jamal described Omar Awni Al-Dous (Abu Karim) as patient, polite, genuine, cheerful and kind-hearted.

The six other victims killed in the strikes were identified by local sources as four men Adel Awni Al-Dous, Omar Awni Al-Dous (“Abu Karim”), Muhannad Awni Al-Dous, Osama Awni Al-Dous, and two women Israa Totah and Elham Ahmed Raqiq. The age of the victims was not provided by the sources.

Amnesty International quoted Mohammad Al-Dous, father of Rakan Mohammad Awni Al-Dous, who said “two bombs fell suddenly on top of the building and destroyed it. My wife and I were lucky to survive because we were staying on the top floor. She was nine-months pregnant and gave birth at al-Shifa hospital a day after the attack. Our entire family has been destroyed.”

The Al-Dous family posted on Facebook that the bombing of the home of Hajj Awni Al-Dous resulted in the complete destruction of the house and “created a state of fear and panic in the area”. Amnesty added that it took relatives, neighbours, and rescue teams more than six hours to remove the bodies from the rubble.

Where sources identified the belligerent, all sources attributed the strikes to Israeli forces. Multiple sources mentioned that the home was bombed without a warning and Amnesty quoted one of the neighbors of the victims who said “It was sudden, boom, nobody told us anything”. Amnesty’s research also indicated that they “found no evidence of military targets in the area at the time of the attack”.

Where possible, Airwars has matched names and ages with the Palestinian Ministry of Health list of nearly 7000 victims’ names and ID numbers released on October 26th.

Due to the scale and urgency of Airwars’ assessment process, all images have been automatically uploaded to each assessment with the graphic filter applied to protect users. We have also included all images identified from the sources, which may also include any imagery of combatants.

The incident occured between 8:20 pm and 8:30 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (15)

Awni Adel Al-Dous عوني عادل الدوس
Adult male killed Matched to MoH ID 905498580
Ibtisam Mohammed Khalil Al-Dous ابتسام محمد خليل الدوس
68 years old female Awni's wife killed Matched to MoH ID 964885438
Ibtisam Adel Awni Al-Dous  ابتسام عادل الدوس
17 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 424329431
Rawand Adel Awni Al-Dous روند عادل الدوس
15 years old female killed Matched to MoH ID 442308920
Awni Adel Al-Dous عوني عادل الدوس
12 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 426164687
Ahmad Adel Awni Al-Dous احمد عادل الدوس
10 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 433456746
Rakan Mohammad Awni Al-Dous ركان محمد الدوس
4 years old male killed
Zaid Adel Awni Al-Dous زيد عادل الدوس
3 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 442219549
Adam Osama Al-Dous ادم اسامة الدوس
1.6 years old male killed
Adel Awni Al-Dous عادل عوني الدوس
Adult male killed
Omar Awni Al-Dous عمر عوني الدوس
36 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 801485244
Muhannad Awni Al-Dous مهند عوني الدوس
28 years old male killed Matched to MoH ID 400907911
Osama Awni Al-Dous اسامة عوني الدوس
Adult male killed
Israa Totah اسراء طوطح
Adult female killed
Elham Ahmed Raqiq إلهام أحمد رقيق
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (7 children3 women5 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Dous family
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaytoun neighbourhood, Gaza
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nrmeen Mamdouh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nrmeen Mamdouh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Nrmeen Mamdouh
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Juma Al Dous
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abo Alaa Diab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Abo Alaa Diab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaytoun neighbourhood page
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Alaa Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Alaa Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Omar Alaa Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Al Zaytoun neighborhood
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Yahya Al Jamal
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Shuhada Al-Zaytoun Basic School for Boys
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Um firas Ishtewi
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adli Attiya
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Adli Attiya

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Zeitoun (الزيتون), within the Gaza strip (قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.485479 34.444885. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Israeli Military
  • Israeli Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Residential building
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (7 children3 women5 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military

Sources (28) [ collapse]