Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

ISPT125

Incident date

May 20, 2021

Location

حي العطاطرة ، بيت لاهيا, Al Atatira neighborhood, Beit Lahiya, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.560034, 34.485183 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 20th, 2021, at 11:55 AM one man was reported killed and one woman was reported injured by an Israeli drone missile in the al-Atatira neighborhood of Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza. The man was identified as 34-year-old Hashem Shaher al-Shorfa, and the woman was identified as Reham Sayed al-Attar.

Multiple news and Twitter sources in English and Arabic confirmed the death of al-Shorfa and the injury of al-Attar.

A tweet from @uunionnews accused Hashem of being a member of the missile unit of the North Brigade for Al Qassam. However, we were not able to find his name listed amongst “martyrs” in official sources and he is even referred to as a farmer in a tweet from @Hassan_Che2020.

Al Haya reports “a citizen was martyred and another was seriously injured in a missile attack that targeted them in the Al-Atatra area northwest of the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, and they were transferred to the Indonesian Hospital in the town.”

The incident occured at 11:55:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Hashem Shaher Al Shorfa, who was killed in strikes on Beit Lahia on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)
  • Hashem Shaher Al Shorfa, who was killed in strikes on Beit Lahia on May 20, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Atatira ( العطاطرة), within the town of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.560034, 34.485183. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Atatira ( العطاطرة), within the town of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT103

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

الزيتون, Al Zeitoun, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One young man was killed, and at least 10 other people were injured in an alleged Israeli strike on the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City on May 18th 2021, according to local reports. Sources differ as to whether the strike was the result of shelling or an airstrike.

The Palestinian media outlet, Shehab, said Mahmoud Ramadan Ishtawi, 18, was killed in the strike, which targeted a group of people. Al Quds News said, of the 10 people injured, one was in a critical condition.

Alkoufiya said the strike took place outside the Al-Abrar Mosque. Al Mezan said the strike took place on land belonging to the victim’s family on 10th street, while the Palestinian Information Center said the strike took place close to a local car dealership.

Aqsa TV reported Ishtawi and several of those injured were transported to Al-Shifa Hospital.

The strike took place at 17:00 according to Al Mezan. The Israeli Defense Forces released a statement that “20:35 – An aircraft attacked and thwarted two Hamas terrorist operatives while launching rockets at the State of Israel in Zeitoun in the southern city of Gaza.” However, none of the sources referred to Mahmoud as a militant.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 pm local time.

  • Mahmoud Ramadan Ishtawi 18 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mahmoud Shteiwi funeral on May 19, 2021 (APA Images).
  • via @Betelgeuse100

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Farewell pictures of the martyr Mahmoud Ramadan Ishtewi, after the Israeli occupation’s bombing of civilian lands in the Gaza Strip, where a farmer was working on his land." Pictures by Arafa Ashour

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shteiwi, who killed after Israeli air strike in mourn during his funeral in Gaza city on May 19, 2021." Image: @amra_ashraf
  • "Relatives of Palestinian Mahmoud Shteiwi, who killed after Israeli air strike in mourn during his funeral in Gaza city on May 19, 2021." Image: @amra_ashraf

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a car market, allegedly within the Al Zeitoun (الزيتون) neighbourhood of Gaza city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Zeitoun are: 31.485479, 34.444885.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Zeitoun (الزيتون) neighbourhood of Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

20:35 - An aircraft attacked and thwarted two Hamas terrorist operatives while launching rockets at the State of Israel in Zeitoun in the southern city of Gaza.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (42) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT108

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

بيت حانون, Beit Hanoun, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.536116, 34.537239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three people were injured in an alleged Israeli air or artillery strike on a house in Beit Hanoun, North Gaza on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

While the Palestine Times said the house, belonging to the Al-Kafarneh family, was targeted by an artillery shell, the SHMS News Agency and several other Arabic language sources reported the injuries were the result of an airstrike.

Al Haq published a list of property owners whose buildings had been targeted between the 17th – 19th of May. According to the source, on the 18th of May in the nearby neighborhood of Jabalia, a three-story house belonging to Ahmed Abdel Fattah Bakr Al-Kafarneh was targeted at 10:50 am.

Ahmad Al-Kafarneh has previously been reported as belonging to a Saraya Al-Quds, the militant wing of the Islamic Jihad group: On February 11th 2021, Defense for Children International Palestine, released a report about an explosion at the home of a man named Ahmad Al-Kafarneh: “An explosion in the northern Gaza Strip in late January destroyed a residential building, damaged several public buildings, and caused injury to 18 Palestinian children. The explosion occurred on January 23 around 8:15 a.m. originating on the roof of a three-story residential building in a densely-populated neighborhood in Beit Hanoun, located in the northern Gaza Strip. The building owner’s son, Ahmad Al-Kafarneh, 32, built and maintained a warehouse on the roof used to store munitions and military equipment for the Palestinian armed group, Saraya Al-Quds, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, of which he is a member, according to a source in the North Gaza General Investigation Department.”

Reports of the incident began circulating at approximately 11:00.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Beit Hanoun (بيت حانون), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.536116, 34.537239. 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, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT112

Incident date

May 18, 2021

Location

قرب مسجد خليل الرحمن, Vicinity of Khalil Al Rahman Mosque, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.499307, 34.463602 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There were reports of at least two civilian injuries following an alleged Israeli airstrike on a building in the Al-Shujaiya neighborhood of Gaza city on May 18th 2021, according to local reports.

The strike hit the home of the Aliwa family in Mansoura Street, next to Khalil al-Rahman Mosque, and resulted in injuries, reported Shehab.

The Safa Press Agency said: “An elderly person was injured due to the Israeli shelling on “Al-Mansoura Street” east of Gaza.” Palestine Today reported that the victim was taken to the Al-Shifa Medical Complex following the incident.

At 14:24 on May 18th, Al Ain News quoted the Israeli army as saying: “We targeted a Hamas cell inside a school in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City.” The Twitter user @c2_karel quoted the Israeli military as saying: “We targeted a missile development and production warehouse of the terrorist Hamas movement in Gaza.” Airwars also found the official statement from the IDF, which stated “20:19 – An aircraft attacked a Hamas cell in Sajaiya immediately after firing into Israeli territory. Also, the position of launching shrapnel was destroyed. The position is located inside a school, which proves once again how Hamas deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population.”

The incident occurred around 3:30pm.

The incident occured at approximately 3:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "#Photos of bombing by warplanes east of Al-Shujaiya neighborhood" - Image courtesy of Hadth 24

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of Khalil Al Rahman mosque (مسجد خليل الرحمن), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.499307, 34.463602. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

20:19 - An aircraft attacked a Hamas cell in Sajaiya immediately after firing into Israeli territory. Also, the position of launching shrapnel was destroyed. The position is located inside a school, which proves once again how Hamas deliberately places its military assets in the heart of the civilian population.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT097

Incident date

May 17, 2021

Location

قرب معهد حمودة بيت لاهيا, Vicinity of Hamouda Institute, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

Two young men were killed and two others were injured by an IDF UAV at 5:30 pm near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya. Both young men killed were identified by official sources as being members of militant groups while the two others injured were identified as civilians.

Various local sources reported on the death of Ahmed Ziyad Sabah (29) and  Muhammad Nazeer Abu Oun (18), who were allegedly killed by an Israeli airstrike targeting a group of people near the Hamouda roundabout opposite of the Hammouda medical clinic. Furthermore, PCHR Gaza released a report, asserting that two other citizens were injured, one of whom was seriously injured.

@palestino_free posted on twitter: ” Muhammad Nazir Abu Aoun was sitting at the door of his house in the safety of God, when a shrapnel hit him in his chest, so he entered the house and climbed the stairs and went to his mother to see her for the last time (Mother, I cannot breathe);”.

A post by Ahmad Abu Sedo on Facebook identified Ahmed Ziyad Sabah as being a scout leader and included a photo of him with a child in a scout uniform.

Contrasting to that statement, a different local source stated that the civilians were killed, as a result of the targeted attack of a civilian car.

The Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades Telegram channel identified Muhammas Nazeer abu Oun as a member of the Hamas’ military wing and Ahmed Ziyad Sabah was identified by the Palestine Islamic Jihad’s military wing as a member of the Artillery Corps Mujahideen in the North Gaza Brigades.

All of the sources pointed to Israel as being responsible for the strike.

The incident occured at approximately 5:30 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, claimed to be a member of the Artillery Corps Mujahideen in the North Gaza Brigades, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by @mds123111)
  • Airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Amad News)
  • Rescue crews search for victims of airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Amad News)
  • Rescue crews search for victims of airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Amad News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Very graphic image of the body of Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, claimed to be a member of the Artillery Corps Mujahideen in the North Gaza Brigades, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Mohammad Sabbah, Ahmed's cousin)
  • Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, identified as being a scout leader, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Ahmad Abu Sedo)
  • Ahmed Ziyad Sabbah, 28 years old, identified as being a scout leader, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Ahmad Abu Sedo)
  • Muhammas Nazzer Abu Oun (18), claimed to be part of Hamas' military wing, was killed in airstrikes near the Hammouda clinic in Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (mage posted by Goldsmith Mohamed Abu Oun via Facebook)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)
  • Ahmad Ziyad Sabah, identified as a member of the Mobilization Unit of the Al-Quds Brigades, killed in strikes on Beit Lahiya on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Saraya PS)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Hamouda Institute ( معهد حمودة), within the city of Beit Lahiya (بيت لاهيا‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Hamouda Institute are: 31.545625, 34.512219.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT092

Incident date

May 17, 2021

Location

بناية غازي الشوا, Ghazi Al Shawa building, the Gaza Strip

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including a ten-year old girl, were killed and seven other civilians were injured by shrapnel from an Israeli airstrike on a building in the Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City during the early evening of 17th May, 2021.

Ziyad Kamal Abdullah Abu Dayer, aged 45 or 55, was killed in the strike, along with his niece, Rafif Morshid Kamal Abu Dayer, aged 10. They were eating a meal with relatives in a private residential garden beside the Ghazi al-Shawa building when the strike took place, between 5.45 and 6.45 p.m. in the evening.

In addition, 10 or more other civilians were reportedly wounded, including Rafif’s two brothers, other members of the Dayer family, and Health Ministry employees. Incident ISPT097, which occurred close by and involved the Health Ministry and clinic, records the health employees injured (2 two workers from the Ministry of Health and Dr Majed Salha from the Al-Rimal clinic), putting the injury toll in this incident at 7 civilians injured.

B’Tselem provided testimony from Muhammad Abu Dayer, 16, Ziad’s son: “At 3:15 P.M., I went back to my uncle’s house. We arranged mattresses on the balcony to sit and eat. My father sat on a chair, reading the Quran on his phone. My uncle’s daughter Rafif, was sitting next to him drawing. I sat with the rest of the family – my mother, my uncle, his wife and their eight sons – on the mattresses. Suddenly, we heard something whistle through the air. Then there was smoke and dust, and bits of debris and stones rained down on us. I got up to look for everyone. I put a hand on the door and discovered it had no handle. The water tanks had been damaged, and the water leaking from them helped clear the smoke and dust. It also put out the fire that had started burning in the mattresses and sofas. Only then did I start seeing what was happening around me. I saw everyone wounded and bleeding. I looked for my father and found him on the sofa, wounded in the head. Part of his head had fallen to the floor. When I saw that, I screamed in horror. I was in shock. It was the first time I’d seen anything like it. I’ve never seen anyone injured or killed. I went out to al-Wehdah Street. My cousins Ziad, 18, and Muhammad, 21, came out after me. They were looking for an ambulance. A few minutes later, ambulances arrived. They took away my cousin Rafif, who’d been hit in the head and neck and killed. Then they put my father in the ambulance. He was dead. I went with them to the hospital. I was examined and they found I was injured in my shoulder and left toe. The rest of my family were examined, too. That evening, at 8:00 P.M., we buried my father. Then we went to my uncle Khaled’s house in the a-Sabra neighborhood, because it’s no longer possible to live at my uncle Murshed’s house.It was a hard, sad day. My father is dead and I’m alone. I lost the person who was dearest to me. He was afraid something would happen to me in the airstrikes and that I’d be killed, but in the end, it happened to him. I still can’t believe it happened and don’t want to believe it. I feel like I’m living in a nightmare. I’m still young and already an orphan. I lost my father, who was my whole world and gave me hope in this world. He meant everything to me.”

Images taken by Getty Images show at three children, a woman, and a man receiving medical treatment at Al Shifa Hospital following the strikes.

The New York Times reported that Rafif loved to draw and that “she had sketched one of the high-rise buildings that an Israeli airstrike destroyed in Gaza City two days earlier and had started to color in her drawing when her mother called her for lunch. “You can go back to drawing after you eat,” her mother said. The girl sat down for lunch with 13 relatives in a private residential garden. Minutes later, Israel attacked a building nearby, an uncle said. Shrapnel and rubble struck Rafeef. She and another uncle were killed.”

The Electronic Intifada gave details that Ziad Abu Dayer and his family had actually taken shelter at the Al Hawa building that day because the family’s own home had been razed during the previous day’s bombing. “We thought it would be a safe place to hide,” said Ziad’s son Kamel, 16. Kamel had just checked to see if his father wished to eat something before the bombing occurred. Ziad was reading the Quran and wanted to continue doing so. “The bombing started a few minutes later,” said Kamel. “Black smoke quickly spread all around the place. We couldn’t see anything. I eventually found my father lying on the ground.” Kamel, who was injured in the arm, accompanied his father as he was rushed to hospital by ambulance. The ambulance took longer than it should have to arrive because Israel had severely damaged the adjoining road, ambulance drivers encountered difficulties traveling to and from the hospital.

In an interview with @AlMamlakaTV, the son of Ziyad and cousin of Rafif said that “I still have my father’s blood on the ground”, recounting the aftermath of the strike that caused injuries to so many members of his family.

The top three storeys of the al-Shawa building were destroyed in the strike. The building is mixed-use residential and commercial, housing organisations including the American Children’s Relief Foundation, the Qatar Red Crescent and the Islamic National Bank headquarters, along with private medical practices.

Qatar’s foreign minister released the statement that “The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation of the Israeli occupation’s bombing of the Qatari Red Crescent Society building in the besieged Gaza Strip, which resulted in several deaths and injuries,” the statement said.

The Al-Remal medical clinic nearby was also severely damaged in the strike, rendering inoperable Gaza’s only Covid-19 testing site, according to the New York Times. Other nearby buildings damaged in the strike include the Gaza Ministry of Health, an orphanage and the Palestine Feminist Foundation.

The Danish Refugee Council confirmed that they had been working with Rafif as part of their psycho-social support programme for children experiencing conflict trauma.

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs commented that the bombing of the Shawa building and its impact on civilians and essential infrastructure “raises serious concerns over a possible indiscriminate and disproportionate attack under international humanitarian law.”

The IDF released a statement at 18:59 that “Fighter jets recently attacked the main Hamas of the Hamas terrorist organization’s internal security organization in the Rimal neighborhood, in the northern Gaza Strip.”

Anadolu Agency pointed out that the strikes occurred without warning.

The incident occured between 5:45 pm and 6:45 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (78) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (37) [ collapse]

  • Translated image caption: The martyr Ziyad Abu Dayer was having lunch with his family. He and his niece were martyred 11 years old (image via @hlbvm_redwan)
  • Image shows the father of Rafif Abu Dayer clutching her body at the al Shifa hospital. Rafif Dayer was killed by shrapnel on May 17th, 2021 alongside her uncle (image via He.For.Me)
  • Image of Ziad Abu Dayer who was killed on May 17th, 2021 alongside his niece (image via a Facebook post by Zaki)
  • Image of buildings reportedly damaged in the May 17th, 2021 strike al Rimal neighbourhood. Two civilians were killed in the airstrike (image via AlshababRadio)
  • Image showing damage to area of an airstrike in a Gaza neighbourhood which killed two civilians on May 17th, 2021 (image via Paltoday)
  • Image shows area affected by airstrike in Al Rimal neighbourhood on May 17th, 2021. It hit the al-Shawa building which was mixed use residential and commercial (image via Paltoday)
  • Image shows the area affected by an airstrike in the al Rimal neighbourhood. Two civilians, including a ten-year old girl, were killed by shrapnel (image via Paltoday)
  • Image shows the Al-Remal medical clinic, which was severely damaged in a May 17th, 2021 strike. The damage rendered inoperable Gaza’s only Covid-19 testing site, according to the New York Times (image via Paltoday)
  • Image shows damage to building in the may 17th, 2021 strike in Gaza's al Rimal district (image via Sanad News Agency)
  • Image shows area of a May 17th, 2021 strike in Al Rimal neighbourhood. Shrapnel killed two civilians including a child (image via Sanad News Agency)
  • Image shows the Palestinian Health Ministry building which sustained damage in a May 17th, 2021 airstrike in Al Rimal neighbourhood (image via Sanad News Agency)
  • Image shows area of a May 17th, 2021 strike in Al Rimal neighbourhood. Shrapnel killed two civilians including a child (image via Sanad News Agency)
  • Image of damaged building from the May 17th, 2021 airstrike in Gaza's Al Rimal district. The strike targeted the al-Shawa building but caused damage to a number of others, including the Gaza Ministry of Health, the Al-Remal medical clinic and an orphanage. Two civilians were also killed. (image via Shehab)
  • Image of damaged building from the May 17th, 2021 airstrike in Gaza's Al Rimal district. The strike targeted the al-Shawa building but caused damage to a number of others, including the Gaza Ministry of Health, the Al-Remal medical clinic and an orphanage. Two civilians were also killed. (image via Shehab)
  • Image of adamaged building from the May 17th, 2021 airstrike in Gaza's Al Rimal district. The strike targeted the al-Shawa building. Two civilian were killed by shrapnel, including a child (image via Shehab)
  • Image of Ziyad Kamal Abdullah Abu Dayer who was killed alongside his niece on may 17th, 2021 (image via Shadi Press)
  • Image caption: People inspect the rubble of destroyed commercial building and Gaza health care clinic following an Israeli airstrike on the upper floors of a commercial building near the Health Ministry in Gaza City, on Monday, May 17th, 2021 (image via Associated Press)
  • Image caption: Medics inspect the rubble of Gaza health care clinic following an Israeli airstrike on the upper floors of a commercial building near the Health Ministry in Gaza City, on Monday, May 17, 2021 (image via Associated Press)
  • Image caption says that the image shows the body of 10-year-old Rafif Abu Dayer being carried. She was killed by shrapnel caused by an Israeli airstrike on May 17th, 2021 (image via @Just_T_0606)
  • Image shows young members of the Dayer crying at al Shifa hospital. Two family members were killed on May 17th, 2021 when a building was hit by an airstrike (image via Associated Press)
  • Members of the Abu Dayer family receive treatment following an airstrike that killed two of their family members. They were eating a meal in a private residential garden beside the Ghazi al-Shawa building, which was hit by an airstrike (image via Associated Press)
  • A member of the Abu Dayer family in hospital. The family were eating a meal in a private residential garden beside the Ghazi al-Shawa building when the building was hit by an airstrike on May 17th, 2021 (image via Associated Press)
  • Image caption: Members of the Palestinian Abu Dayer family receive treatment the Al-Shifa hospital after the death of family members in an Israeli air strike on the family's home in Gaza City on May 17th, 2021 (image via Associated Press)
  • Image caption: A member of the Abu Dayer family flashes the V-sign for victory as he receives first aid at the Al-Shifa hospital, after losing his father and cousin in an Israeli air strike on the family's home in Gaza City on May 17th, 2021 (via Associated Press)
  • Image shows a member of the Abu Dayer family receiving treatment at hospital after two family members were killed by shrapnel on May 17th, 2021 (image via Associated Press)
  • Image caption: A member of the Abu Dayer family, surrounded by relatives, cries at the Al-Shifa hospital after the death of his father and cousin in an Israeli air strike on the family's home in Gaza City on May 17, 2021 (image via Associated Press)
  • Photo of Rafif Morshid Kamal Abu Dayer. She was killed on May 17th, 2021 while eating dinner with her family (image via Defence for Children International - Palestine)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image shows Rafif Abu Dayer who was killed by shrapnel from an airstrike on May 17th, 2021 (image via @kalthani)
  • Image caption: The family of Ziyad Abu Dayer ... gathered at the dining table and their Israeli missile teams, the family survived the death of the Abu al-Auf massacre on Al-Wehda Street a few days ago, so the army killed her in the sheltering place of her relatives (via @mostafa__mahdi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Video| Muhammad Ziyad Abu Dayer tells how his father, 54, and his niece, Rafif, 11, climbed up with an Israeli missile, which was fired next to their house.
  • The drawing Rafeef Abu Dayer, 10, was working on before she was killed.Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Ghazi Al Shawa building (بناية غازي الشوا) being struck. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.51881700, 34.44981400.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Ghazi Al Shawa building (بناية غازي الشوا) being struck.

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Paltoday

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Shehab

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

18:59 - Fighter jets recently attacked the main Hamas of the Hamas terrorist organization's internal security organization in the Rimal neighborhood, in the northern Gaza Strip.

Media
from belligerent (2) [ collapse]

  • The Chief of Staff of the Internal Security of the Hamas terrorist organization, Rimal (Posted by the IDF)

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (78) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT093

Incident date

May 17, 2021

Location

عبسان الجديدة, Absan Al Jadida, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.341120, 34.344171 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ahmed Fayez Arafat (28-30), claimed by Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade to be a member, was killed and further civilian injuries, at least one, were reported in an Isreali drone strike in the farmlands in Absan Al Jadid on May 17,2021 at around 12:30 pm.

Wada PS News reported on the Israeli attack, stating that Ahmed Arafat was killed during the attack on a group of citizens in Absan al-Jadidah, east of Khan Younis. Several local sources stated that others were injured, whilst AqsaTv Channel specified that one other civilian was injured and Al Mezan news reported that others suffered light injuries.

The Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade identified Ahmed Fayed Hassam Arafat as one of their members, referring to him as a “Mujahid Qassami”. Various sources refer to Ahmed as being a citizen and as being amongst a group of citizens but do not refer to him as a civilian.

All of the sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Israel.

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by @uzisall)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by @muhammedobuowda)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by @AlmakdesyMedia)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)
  • Ahmed Fayez Arafat, an alleged member of Ezzedeen Al Qassam Brigade, was killed in Israeli strikes on Absan Al Jadid on May 17, 2021. (Image posted by Qassam PS)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention agricultural land being struck in Absan Al Jadid (عبسان الجديدة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.341120, 34.344171. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

ISPT094

Incident date

May 17, 2021

Location

شارع أبو حصيرة, Abou Hassira street, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.528054, 34.437933 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three people were killed and ten others were injured in a reported airstrike by the Israeli armed forces. The attack hit a car on the Abou Hassira roundabout in west Gaza. One combatant was also killed, confirmed by militant group Al Qassam.

PCHR Gaza reported that at approximately 12:30 pm the Israeli forces targeted a car on Abu Hassira street and local sources identified the car as a white Citroen car.

The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre stated that the airstrike targeted the car, as it was suspected of carrying a rocket-launching squad. Furthermore the Daily Mail reported that members of Hamas were inside the car that were allegedly responsible for launching an autonomous submarine.

No other sources mention that militants were in the car at the time of the attack.

According to SHMS news, three people were killed in the attack and 10 civilians were injured. Local sources identified the civilian killed as Adeeb Al-Sourani (43), the driver of the car (taxi). Mr Al-Sourani was from the Al-Shuja’iya neighbourhood. Sources reported that after the car was hit people rushed to help and an ambulance came to the place of the incident to rescue the people inside of the car.

KyleJGlen, an open-source intelligence analyst and co-founder of the Twitter feed Conflict news, tweeted that the airstrike reminded him of a R9X strike, but asserted that according to his knowledge the Israeli defence forces do not possess such weaponry.

Almayadeen News published a report stating that a spokesman for the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Ashraf al-Qidra, confirmed the attack on a civilian car and the killing of three people near the Abu Hasira junction.

The death of the belligerent Ahmed Khalil Hegazy Al-Louh (32), a member of Al Qassam, the military wing of Hamas, was confirmed by Alquassam.ps News. He was killed during the attack near the Abu Hassira roundabout. Local sources mentioned that he was a resident of the Al-Sabra neighbourhood.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Adeeb Al-Sourani 43 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (82) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (25) [ collapse]

  • Image of car hit in alleged Israeli airstrikes on 17th May 2021, killing up to three people and one combatant. Posted by PalastineNow
  • Image of the car hit by alleged Israeli airstrikes on May 17th 2021. Image posted by PalastineNow.
  • Image of the front seat of the car hit by alleged Israeli strikes on May 17th 2021; signs of the driver reported killed in the attack in the front seat of the car. Image posted by PalastineNow.
  • People gather round the car hit in alleged Israeli strikes on May 17th 2021, killing up to three people and injuring another 10. Image posted by PalastineNow.
  • Image showing the destruction of the car hit in alleged Israeli strikes in Gaza, May 17th 2021. Image posted by PalastineNow.
  • Combatant Ahmed Khalil Hegazy Al-Louh, aged 32, killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Gaza May 17th, 2021. Image posted by Alqassam.ps.
  • Ahmed Khalil Hegazy Al-Louh (32), killed alongside one to three civilians, in a an alleged Israeli airstrike May 17th 2021. Image posted by Alqassam.ps.
  • Member of Al Qassam Ahmed Khalil Hegazy Al-Louh (32), killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike May 17th 2021. Image via Alqassam.ps.
  • Image of Ahmed Khalil Hegazy Al-Louh (32), posted by militant group Al Qassam, after Mr Louh was killed in an alleged Israeli strike on Gaza May 17th 2021, alongside between one and three civilians. Image posted by Alqassam.ps.
  • Image posted on Kamal Al-Louh's own Facebook account, after he was killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Gaza May 17th 2021. Al Qassam noted that Mr Louh was a member of their militant organisation. Image vis Kamal Al-louh Facebook.
  • Image posted by an assumed relative of Kamal Al Louh - a member of Al Qassam, killed in an alleged Israeli strike on Gaza May 17th 2021. Image via Rami Allouh Facebook.
  • Image posted of Al Qassam combatant Ahmed Al-Louh, killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Gaza, May 17th 2021. Image posted on Twitter by hjaz39596511.
  • Image of Adeeb Al-Sourani, a civilian killed in alleged Israeli strikes on Gaza 17th May 2021. Image via @IslamMohisen
  • The car hit in an alleged Israeli strike near Abu Hasira on May 17th 2021, killing up to three people. Image posted on Twitter by @qudsn.
  • Children gather around the car hit in an alleged Israeli strike in Gaza 17th May 2021, killing up to three people. Image posted on Twitter via @qudsn.
  • The car hit in an alleged Israeli airstrike on May 17th 2021 in Gaza, near Abu Hasira roundabout. Image posted via @qudsn.
  • View of the roundabout showing the wreckage of a car hit in alleged Israeli airstrikes on May 17th 2021 Gaza, killing up to three people and injuring 10 others. Image posted on Twitter via @NewspressPs.
  • The car hit by an alleged Israeli airstrike, posted on Twitter by @YouthGoDigital.
  • The car hit by alleged Israeli airstrikes, May 17th 2021 on Gaza. Up to three people were killed in the attack, and ten civilians were injured. Image posted by Almayadeen news outlet.
  • People crowd around a car hit in an alleged Israeli airstrike in Gaza May 17th 2021; up to three people were killed and 10 wounded. Image posted by SHMS News.
  • An image highlighting civilian Adeeb Al-Sourani, killed when an alleged Israeli strike hit a car in Gaza May 17th 2021. Image posted on Facebook by Abo Al'abd.
  • "Gaza is under bombardment....pray for us" - posted by Abo Al'abd on Facebook, alongside an image of the victim of an Israeli airstrike on a car in Gaza 17th May 2021.
  • Adeeb Sourani, aged 43, was reported killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Abu Hasira junction, May 17th 2021. Image posted on Twitter via @Pal_Shaheed.
  • Abeeb al Sourani, aged 44, killed in an alleged Israeli airstrike on Gaza, May 17th 2021. Image posted on Twitter via @Betelgeuse100.
  • Al Qassam member Ahmed Al Louh, killed in an alleged Israeli strike on a car in Gaza, May 17th 2021. Image posted on Twitter by @Betelgeuse100.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a vehicle being struck on Abou Hassira ( شارع أبو حصيرة) street. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.528054, 34.437933.

  • Imagery:
    Planet

  • Imagery:
    @paltimes2015

  • Imagery:
    @paltimes2015

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (82) [ collapse]