Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

M21ISPT044

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

قرب دوار الدحدوح, Vicinity of Al Dahdouh roundabout, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.500907, 34.433962 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least two men, identified as members of Al Qassam, were killed and other civilians were injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on Al-Dahdouh Street in Tal al-Hawa on May 13, 2021.

According to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, Abdul Rahman Istabitah Khalaf Azzam (34) and Mustafa Hasan Ahmed al-‘Abed (35) were killed when Israeli planes launched a missile at a group of people on al-Dahdouh Street, in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood at 7:00pm.

Al Qassam Brigades posted memorials to Abdul Rahman Esbeitah Azzam and Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, with both identified as being field commanders in Al Qassam.

Umm Ahmed Al-Abed, the mother of Mustafa, is seen on video saying goodbye to her son, the third of her sons to be killed in conflict. Her other sons that were killed were Mahmoud and Khaled Al-Abed, Mahmoud killed in 2002 and Khaled killed in 2009.

@Alaqsavoice_Brk tweeted that the bodies of Abdul and Mustafa arrived at Al-Shifa Medical Complex and that the strikes also resulted in several injuries but did not identify how many. Other sources also mentioned injuries but didn’t report how many.

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

The incident occured at approximately 7:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Abdul Rahman Esbeitah Azzam, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Al Qassam Brigades)
  • Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Al Qassam Brigades)
  • Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Al Qassam Brigades)
  • Umm Ahmed Al-Abed, the mother of Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, who has lost three sons to conflict. (Image posted by @ialaa)
  • Umm Ahmed Al-Abed, saying goodbye to her son Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, illed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @MahmoutWnada)
  • Umm Ahmed Al-Abed, saying goodbye to her son Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, illed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @marah2932)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @mds123111)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Rahman Esbeitah Azzam, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @mds123111)
  • Abdul Rahman Esbeitah Azzam, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @mds123111)
  • Abdul Rahman Esbeitah Azzam, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Azzam from Palestine via Facebook)
  • Abdul Rahman Esbeitah Azzam, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Azzam from Palestine via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by em.anas.90)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by em.anas.90)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by em.anas.90)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, a field commander in the Al Qassam Brigades, was killed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by em.anas.90)
  • We only say what pleases God We belong to God and to Him we shall return Stay and permanence to God alone, the martyr Abdul Rahman Esbaita Azzam
  • Umm Ahmed Al-Abed, saying goodbye to her son Mustafa Hassan Ahmed Al-Abed, illed in strikes east of Al-Dahdouh Street in Tel Al-Hawa on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @YeniSafakArabic)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Dahdouh (الدحدوح) roundabout in Tel Al Hawa (تل الهوى) for which the generic coordinates are: 31.500907, 34.433962. 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 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 (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT045

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

أبراج الندى, Al Nada Towers, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.548728, 34.524185 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two people, one a civilian and one a child identified to be a member of Mujahideen Brigades, were killed and seven others were injured in an alleged Israeli drone strike and/or artillery shelling near Nada 19, a high-rise building in Beit Hanoun, on May 13, 2021.

Al Mezan reported that at around 1:45pm, “Israel’s air force fired a missile at a group of people near Nada 19, a high-rise building in Beit Hanoun, killing Khaled Imad al-Qanou, 17, and inflicting injuries on eight others.” On May 19th, they added that Firas Alaa Mohammed Al-Bahri, 20, died from wounds he sustained in the May 13th airstrikes from shrapnel and he was pronounced dead at Al-Shifa Hospital at 11:00am.

Defence for Children – Palestine identified the strikes as occurring around 12:40 p.m. near the Gaza perimeter fence in North Gaza’s Izbat Beit Hanoun and attributed at least one missile being fired from an Israeli drone as being responsible. A Facebook post by Ehab Al Kafarna identified artillery shells as being what killed Khaled.

World Now News provided details that amongst those injured, there were many serious injuries and various sources pointed out that serious injuries were taken to al-Shifa hospital while the other injured were taken to the Indonesian hospital.

A post by LO.Samed on Facebook identified Khaled Imad al-Qanou as a high school student at Khalil Al-Rahman Secondary School for Boys in the 12th grade. The Ministry of Education also released a statement mourning Khaled and the other students killed in the conflict.

Sources were conflicted as to whether Khaled was to be considered a civilian or not. Various sources referred to Khaled as a civilian, including the New York Times, which included him in their list of children civilians killed in the Gaza conflict. However, the New York Times later published a story with more details, including a statement from the Mujahideen Brigades that Mr. al-Qanou was killed “within the Sword of Jerusalem Battle,” the name that militants in Gaza gave to the latest war but it did not explicitly state whether he was participating in the fighting when he died. The Mujahideen Brigades said Khaled was 20, but official health records and his family members say that he was 17, born on Jan. 10, 2004.

Mr. al-Qanou’s older brother, Osama, told the New York Times that his sibling joined the Mujahideen Brigades earlier this year after members of the group pressured him for months to join their ranks, offering money and access to weapons. “They exploited him,” said Osama al-Qanou, who added that his family was not supportive of his becoming a member of the group. Mr. al-Qanou added that his family was so deeply opposed to his brother’s joining the Mujahideen Brigades that they refused to allow members of the group to pay their respects in the mourners’ tent they erected following his death. “We kicked them out in front of everyone,” he said.

All of the sources attributed the strikes to Israel.

The incident occured at approximately 1:45 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Firas Alaa Mohammed Al-Bahri فراس علاء محمد البحري
20 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Airstrike and/or Artillery, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Khaled Imad al-Qanou, 17, killed in strikes near the Tower 19 in Al Nada towers, Beit Hanoun, on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Ehab.alkafarna via Facebook)
  • Khaled Imad al-Qanou, 17, killed in strikes near the Tower 19 in Al Nada towers, Beit Hanoun, on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by LO.Samed via Facebook)
  • Firas Alaa Al Bahri succumbed to the wounds he sustained in an airstrike near the Tower 19 in Al Nada towers, Beit Hanoun, on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)
  • Firas Alaa Al Bahri succumbed to the wounds he sustained in an airstrike near the Tower 19 in Al Nada towers, Beit Hanoun, on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Mohamedmasri0 via Facebook)
  • Firas Alaa Al Bahri succumbed to the wounds he sustained in an airstrike near the Tower 19 in Al Nada towers, Beit Hanoun, on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by @Pal_Shaheed)
  • Khaled al-Qanou, alleged to be a militant even though he is a child, was killed by alleged Israeli strikes on Beit Hanoun on May 13, 2021. (Image posted by Abu Alan via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Tower 19 within the Al Nada Towers (أبراج الندى) complex, Izbet Beit Hanoun (عزبة بيت حانون). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Nada Towers are: 31.548728, 34.524185.

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
    1
  • (1 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT046

Incident date

May 13, 2021

Location

مزارع بالقرب من بيت لاهيا, Farmlands near Beit Lahiya, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.551195, 34.509152 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Israeli military forces shelled farmland in Beit Lahia in the Northern Gaza Strip, killing one civilian and one combatant according to multiple sources.

The civilian killed during the shelling was named as 25 year old farmer Suhaib Abd Al Raheem Awad Ghanem by several sources. He was allegedly a member of Fatah.

The other victim was named as Yahya Mansour Ghaben by several sources. He was seriously injured in the shelling and was transferred to Shifa Hospital where he died from his injuries four days later. The majority of sources reported his age to be 24, however one source claimed he was 25.

Whilst several reports claimed that at the time of the shelling the two victims were farmers working on the land, several photos posted subsequently show Yahya Mansour Ghaben in military uniform and a subsequent post by Al Qassam Brigades reported him as a combatant, calling him a “Mujahid Qassami”.

Two sources reported that the incident occurred at approximately 5.30pm, whilst another source put the time of incident at approximately 5.50pm.The majority of sources attributed the strikes to Israel.

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

The victims were named as:

Suhaib Abd Al Raheem Awad Ghanem صهيب عبد الرحيم عوض غانم
25 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via Al Qassam Brigades)
  • 25 year old Suhaib Abd Al Raheem Awad Ghanem who was killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via The Palestinian National Liberation Movement)
  • 25 year old Suhaib Abd Al Raheem Awad Ghanem who was killed by Israeli military shelling in Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via Bilal Mohammed Ghanem)
  • Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via Alaa Aziz)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via Alaa Aziz)
  • Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via Abdel Rahim Mohamed Ghadn)
  • Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via @baselabuhassan)
  • Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via @Sohaibhbill)
  • Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via @Sohaibhbill)
  • Yahya Mansour Ghaben an Al Qassam Brigades Combatant killed in an Israeli shelling of Beit Lahia on May 13th 2021 (image via @Sohaibhbill)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention farmland being struck in the vicinity 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 Beit Lahiya are: 31.551195, 34.509152.

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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
  • Suspected target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT029

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

قرب مسجد الإحسان ، مخيم النصيرات, Vicinity of Al Ihsan mosque, Al Nuseirat Camp, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.521920, 34.487516 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four combatants were killed and one to two other civilians were injured in airstrikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. The men that were killed were identified as militants by the Islamic Jihad group, who posted a tribute to the “Mujahid martyrs”.

According to Al Jazeera, the four people were killed in Israeli strikes on Al Nusayrat camp. @SafaPs tweeted that three bodies of those killed arrived at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital and later added that a fourth body arrived at the hospital.

@Tartouri99 tweeted the names of the four killed: Hamza Mahmoud Al-Hour 26, Mohamed Abdel Moneim Shaheen 27, Ahmed Moeen Al-Qeraa 24, Ahmed Walid Al-Talaa. Al Mezan added that two others were moderately injured and that all casualties were residents of Nuseirat refugee camp.

Shorouk News reported the death of three people and the injury of one, referring to those affected by the strikes as “civilians” and @NewPress_en designated those targeted as civilians.

Tweets from @michaelh992 and @Jtruzmah identify the men as being militants. In addition, a report from the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, an organization affiliated with the Israeli government, identified Hamza Mahmoud Ibrahim al Hour as being “a military wing operative in an elite unit of the Brigade of the Central Camps” and Mohammad Abd alMoneim Ibrahim Shahin, Mohammad Mu’in Mohammad al-Qaara, and Ahmad Walid Hussein al Talaa as being “military wing operative[s] in the artillery unit of the Brigade of the Central Camps”. Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine verified these claims in posts memorializing all four men as “Mujahid martyrs”.

@fidaazaanin identified the location of the strikes as occurring near the Ihsan Mosque in Nuseirat and WAFA pointed out that the airplanes targeted a group of people on one of the streets in the camp. Al Mezan put the time of the strike at 6:30pm and reported that an Israeli drone fired one missile into the group.

The incident occured at 18:30:00 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
    4

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Image of the four men affected by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @maisarabtihan)
  • Image of the four men affected by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @shms_salama_)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Mohamed Abdel Moneim Shaheen, killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Pal_Shaheed)
  • Hamza Mahmoud Al-Hour, killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @fidaazaanin)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic images of the bodies of the men killed by the airstrikes on Al-Nuseirat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @michaelh992)
  • Muhammad Moeen Al-Qara’, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)
  • Hamza Mahmoud Al-Hour, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)
  • Ahmed Walid Al-Tala'a, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)
  • Muhammad Abdel-Moneim Shaheen, identified as a member of the Islamic Jihad in Palestine movement, killed in strikes on Al Nusayrat camp on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Al Saraya)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Ihsan mosque (مسجد الإحسان), within the camp of Al Nuseirat (مخيم النصيرات). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Ihsan mosque are: 31.521920, 34.487516.

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
    4

Sources (35) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT033

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

مبنى البنك الوطني الإسلامي, Islamic Bank Building, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.441726, 34.396771 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three civilians were injured in an alleged Israeli strike on the Islamic National Bank on Salah El-Din Street on May 12, 2021.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights reported that “at approximately 11:50, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles; the first launched by a drone, at the Islamic National Bank on Salah al-Deen Street, south of al-Bureij refugee camp’s entrance.  As a result, the Bank’s 2-storey building (500 sqms) was completely destroyed while the nearby shops and houses sustained partial damage in addition to the electricity network, causing power outage in the area. Moreover, 3 passers-by sustained various injuries and were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.” Al Haq also referenced three casualties in relation to this incident.

A tweet from @najireyad pointed out that “the bombing that targeted the Islamic National Bank on Salah El-Din Street in the central Gaza Strip, caused significant damage to the homes of neighboring citizens.”

While the majority of the sources refer to the building as containing the Islamic National Bank, a tweet from @lebel_or referred to it as a “HAMAS finance building”.

Mohammed Abu Jayab, economist and editor of the economic newspaper Al-Eqtesadia in Gaza, speaking to Al-Monitor, downplayed the importance of Hamas losing some of its headquarters and financial facilities. He said the “destruction of the financial institutions, namely the Finance Ministry that collects taxes, does not mean that Hamas’ financial sources will be negatively affected, as these headquarters can easily be replaced by other places after this Israeli aggression ends.”

All of the sources that attributed the strikes to a responsible party identified Israel as carrying out the strikes. A tweet from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, @IsraelMFA, verified that they carried out the strike, tweeting “the Islamic National Bank in Gaza served as a terrorist vault for Hamas, directly funding its rocket production operation. Israel is shutting down Hamas’s terror infrastructure”.

A press statement released by the IDF on the 13th May included a picture stating the damage caused to the Islamic National Bank in Khan Younis (a city just south of where this event took place), alongside a statement that also referenced another building damaged. The statement was as follows: “The IDF struck an additional multi-story building belonging to the Hamas terror organization. A short while ago IDF jets and aircraft struck intelligence offices used by the Hamas terror organization in the Rimal neighborhood. Prior to the strike, the IDF provided advance warning to civilians in the building and allowed sufficient time for them to evacuate the site. The IDF continues to strike terror targets in the Gaza Strip”.

According to Al Haq, multiple Islamic Bank sites were hit on the 12th May – it is unclear if this statement relates specifically to this event.

The incident occured at 23:50:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @najireyad)
  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @9aza0)
  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Rescue crews arrive at the Islamic National Bank building and surrounding buildings following alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @ShehabAgency)
  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @paltimes2015)
  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @paltimes2015)
  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @paltimes2015)
  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @paltimes2015)
  • Damage to the Islamic National Bank building caused by alleged Israeli strikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @AuroraIntel)
  • Image of the Islamic National Bank before the strikes. (Image posted by @MarioLeb79)
  • An IDF Press release admits to the destruction of the Islamic Bank on 12th May 2021.

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Islamic Bank building (مبنى البنك الوطني الإسلامي). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.441726, 34.396771.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Islamic Bank building (مبنى البنك الوطني الإسلامي).

    Imagery:
    soar.earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @ShehabAgency

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @9aza0

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military

[08:43, 5/13/2021] IDF News Desk: IDF:

The IDF struck an additional multi-story building belonging to the Hamas terror organization

A short while ago IDF jets and aircraft struck intelligence offices used by the Hamas terror organization in the Rimal neighborhood.

Prior to the strike, the IDF provided advance warning to civilians in the building and allowed sufficient time for them to evacuate the site.

The IDF continues to strike terror targets in the Gaza Strip.

Please find attached an aerial photo of the building that was struck: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/ANC1305202107

Please find attached a photo of the Islamic National Bank that was struck previously: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/anc13052021034

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT034

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

شارع الأرنب, Al Arnab street, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.350644, 34.309796 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians sustained minor wounds in alleged Israeli airstrikes and drone strikes on Al Arnab Street in Khan Younis on May 12, 2021.

@AlWatenGaza reported that four civilians were injured in strikes on Al Arnab Street in Khan Younis. A tweet from @hudaa23914 added that the injuries were minor and that they were taken to Nasser Medical Hospital.

Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) provided that three civilians sustained minor wounds from the shattered rubble caused by strikes.

Images posted by Alam Sadeq on Facebook show two different young men being treated at the hospital and one of them had a bandage wrapped around his head.

A tweet from @mousa_alkafarna identified Al Rahma Association as the target of the strikes while other sources identified a house as being struck. PCHR gave additional details that “at approximately 04:50 on Wednesday, 12 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at 2 houses belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdel Salam al-Yazouri and Rafe’a Salah ‘Odah Salamah, who are both members of Palestinian armed groups, on al-Arnab Street in the western side of the city and completely destroyed them.”

PCHR reported that both drone strikes and airstrikes were launched in the area and that an hour before the strikes, “one of the area residents received a call from the IOF ordering him to tell the residents to leave their houses”.

An IDF statement on May 12th stated: “A short while ago, the IDF struck an additional Hamas internal security apparatus building, in Khan Yunis, used for counterintelligence. The IDF is continuing to strike terror targets in the Gaza Strip”. No further information was provided so it is unclear at ths time if this statement relates specifically to this event.

The incident occured at approximately 4:50 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A wounded civilian being taken to Nasser Hospital following strikes on Al-Ranab Street on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Alam Sadeq on Facebook)
  • A wounded civilian being taken to Nasser Hospital following strikes on Al-Ranab Street on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Alam Sadeq on Facebook)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Arnab Street (بشارع الارنب), also known as Al Mathaf Street (شارع المتحف), in Khan Younis (خان يونس). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Arnab Street are: 31.350644, 34.309796.

  • Reports of the incident mention Al Arnab Street (بشارع الارنب), also known as Al Mathaf Street (شارع المتحف), in Khan Younis (خان يونس).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military

[23:59, 5/12/2021] IDF News Desk: IDF:

A short while ago, the IDF struck an additional Hamas internal security apparatus building, in Khan Yunis, used for counterintelligence.

The IDF is continuing to strike terror targets in the Gaza Strip.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT021

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

تل الهوى, Tal Al Hawa, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.508687, 34.432846 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians, including two to three children and a pregnant woman, were killed and four others were injured in alleged Israeli strikes on Tal Al Hawa neighborhood in Gaza on May 12th 2021. Two members of the Al Qassam Brigade were also allegedly killed in the same strike.

Al Jazeera reported that “A woman, who is four months pregnant, and her five-year-old son, were reported killed following the latest Israeli air strike on their house in Tel al-Hawa”and later identified the name of the pregnant woman as Reema Telbani. Israel-Palestine Timeline added that a girl was also killed, “Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, 3, and her brother Zeid, 5, were killed by a missile that struck their home in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City”. @WAFANewsEnglish also identified the husband of Reema Telbani as being killed and @ahmadfarha44 tweeted his name as Muhammad Odeh al-Tilbani.

At the time of reporting, Al Jazeera detailed that Reema and Zeid had died immediately, while “Mohammed later died in the intensive care unit, but the body of their daughter, three-year-old Maryam, has yet to be recovered from the site of the attack”. A post 10 days later by Wisam Al Tal on Facebook reported that the body of Maryam was finally recovered from the rubble and a funeral was held for her.

Quds News Network gave an overall report that the strikes on Tal Al Hawa killed ” three civilians and wounding four others in initial reports”. Al Watan Voice added that of the four injured, two of the cases were in critical condition.

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights identified two missiles as striking the “4-storey residential building next to al-Yaziji Bakery in Tal al-Hawa” at 1:35AM and resulting in five people being killed, including “Rima Sa’ed Kamel Sa’ed “al-Telbani” (31), her 5-year-old child Zaid Mohammed ‘Odah al-Telbani, Wael ‘Abdel Karim ‘Ali ‘Issa (41); Hasan Mohammed ‘Ali al-Qahwaji (43) and Hala Hussein Ra’fat al-Rifi (13), who was killed in the building adjacent to the targeted building. Al Mezan also identified Hussein Raafat Al-Rifi, father of Hala, as being injured in the strikes.

Al Qassam Brigades reported in two separate posts of the death of two of their members, Hassan Mohammed Hassan Al-Qahwaji and Wael Abdel Karim Ali Issa. @abd_rahman197 tweeted that “Al-Qassam Brigades announces the news of the martyrdom of two of its great leaders… the martyrdom of the Qassam leader Judge Hassan Al-Qahwaji Abu Ali and the martyrdom of the leader Wael Issa, Abu Hamad. Abdallah Tariq, the cousin of Al-Qahwaji, also referred to him as a judge for Al Qassam and included a picture.

The Guardian reported that “on Tuesday Israeli jets hit one of the towers, an eight-story apartment block, where Hassan Abu al-Ata, deputy commander of Islamic Jihad’s Gaza Brigade, who is blamed for rocket attacks against Israel, was sheltering.” There is no evidence he was killed in this strike.

Mohammad Saad, cousin of Reema, told Al Jazeera that the news hit the family “like a lightning bolt” and that “I’m communicating with the fire department and civil defence crews in Gaza to help us find Maryam and have her rest and be buried near her mother, who would have wanted that”. Middle East Eye reported that Reema’s mother Samia Saad had been trying to reach Reema after she heard that an apartment building in from of the al-Yazji bakery was struck but when she didn’t pick up, she rushed to the neighborhood. “They told us that her husband was in the intensive care unit. When I asked about my daughter and her children, they said that we might need to check the morgue. They did not allow me to see her because they said I would break down. So my son saw her and confirmed her identity. He told me that I could not handle seeing her like this. Her skull was broken open and her brain exposed.”

The day prior to the attack “had been a joyous one, with Reem visiting her family to congratulate her brother on his engagement. “The next day, she went home and was targeted,” cousin Mohammad Saad said. Reema’s mother Samia “urged her daughter to spend the night in her house – but she told MEE that Reema had decided to stay home, convinced that her residential neighbourhood would not be targeted.” According to Samia, “She said she wanted to stay with her husband and that her home was located in an overcrowded and safe neighbourhood. Before the attack, we video-chatted and the children showed me how they had moved their mattresses to sleep in their parents’ bedroom because they were scared. They wished me a good night and went to sleep.”

Middle East Eye reported that “Reema Saad had been hoping for a baby girl” and “the 30-year-old Palestinian journalist was four months along in her third pregnancy, and was due to find out the sex of her baby a few days after Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.” Her sister Samar Saad told Middle East Eye “When she found out she was pregnant, Reema was very happy. Her son Zaid hoped the baby would be a boy so that he would call him Zain, but Mariam wanted a little sister, and cried every time we teased her telling her it was a baby boy.”

Samar had not been able to attend her sister’s funeral because of the ongoing shelling. “My mum asked me not to come because of the intensive shelling. She told me that she did not want to lose another daughter,” she said.

The third Saad sister, Sally, found out about Reema’s death in Belgium, where she is living. “I was sleeping when Reema’s home was bombed. I woke up to my husband talking [on the phone],” Sally told MEE that she feels devastated being so far away and unable to be with her family. “We used to video-chat every day; me, mum, Samar, Reema and her children. Now, I can only talk to mum and my siblings when they are able to, due to the intensive shelling. Reema was constantly asking us about the clothes she should buy for her children for Eid – but she was also very ambitious, always discussing her plans to start a project assisting people in finding freelance jobs,” Sally says.

Reema’s mother Samia was familiar with loss: she was “reminded of her brother, who was killed by Israeli forces during the First Intifada, and her husband, who died in 2009 due to lack of drugs and medical equipment in Gaza under the ongoing Israeli-led blockade”.

Various sources reported on the location as being next to al-Yaziji Bakery while @alwatanvoice identified the location as “near the Abu Zour farm”. Al Mezan described the apartment that was bombed as being on the “third floor of the Salha residential building, which is a four-storey building, with a total area 250 square meters, and it consists of (5) apartments and commercial crops, located in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, west of Gaza City”.

The bombing was described as being carried out by airstrikes and Sama News described that “the targeting force caused the body of the martyrs to fly out from inside the apartment.”

All of the sources that attributed responsibility to a belligerent blamed Israel for carrying out the strikes. A video posted by the IDF on twitter labeled as a strike on “senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization’s intelligence system” has been identified as occurring at this strike location.

The incident occured at 01:35:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani مريم محمد عودة التلباني
3 years old female killed
Zeid Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani زيد محمد عودة التلباني
5 years old male killed
Reema Saad ريم سعد كامل سعد
31 years old female pregnant killed
Mohammed Odah at-Tilbani محمد عودة التلباني
29 years old male killed

Family members (2)

Hussein Raafat Al-Rifi حسين رأفت الريفي
male injured
Hala Hussein Ra’fat al-Rifi حلا حسين رأفت الريفي
13 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (56) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (40) [ collapse]

  • Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, three years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Israel-Palestine Timeline)
  • Members of the al-Telbani, including Reema, her husband, and their children Zaid and Mariam, who were killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @WAFANewsEnglish)
  • Image of a building in Tal Al Hawa damaged by airstrikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Mariam Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, three years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Zaid Mohammad Odah at-Tilbani, five years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Reema Saad, four months pregnant, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Betelgeuse100)
  • Image of the damage following airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Middle East Eye)
  • Reema Saad, four months pregnant, and one of her children, who were killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Middle East Eye)
  • Zaid and Mariam, who were killed in alleged Israeli airstrikes on the Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Middle East Eye)
  • Hala Rifi, 13 years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by New York Times)
  • Image of a building in Tal Al Hawa damaged by airstrikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @LinahAlsaafin)
  • Rescue crews try to put out fires caused by airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Images posted by @Amel_Zarouk)
  • Rescue crews try to put out fires caused by airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa neighborhood on May 12, 2021. (Images posted by @Amel_Zarouk)
  • Image of the destruction caused by strikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @waleed_Emad92)
  • Image of the destruction caused by strikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @waleed_Emad92)
  • Image of a building in Tal Al Hawa damaged by airstrikes on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Roya News)
  • Zaid Mohammad Odah al-Tilbani, five years old, who was killed in strikes on the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, in Gaza City, on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Aziza Al Talbani via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Images from the funeral of the al-Tilbani family members in Al-Maghazi camp. (Images posted by Al Maghazi Camp Media Center via Facebook)
  • Image of Hassan Muhammad Al-Qahwaji, a judge for the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Abdallah Tariq via Facebook)
  • Image of Hassan Muhammad Al-Qahwaji, a judge for the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Mohammed’s Abo Hamam via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of Wael Abdel Karim Issa, a leader of the the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Maher Musleh via Facebook)
  • Image of Wael Abdel Karim Issa, a leader of the the Al Qassam brigade, who was killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Maher Musleh via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Funeral for Mariam, 3 years old, who was found in the rubble of an apartment in Tal Al Hawa 10 days after the strike on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Wisam Al Tal via Facebook)
  • Muhammad Oudeh Al-Talbani, killed in airstrikes on Tal Al Hawa on May 12th, 2021. (Image posted by Al Wan Al Hawa via Facebook)
  • Hassan Mohammed Hassan Al-Qahwaji, a member of Al-Qassam and allegedly killed by Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Al Qassam Brigade)
  • 1 of 2: Wael Abdel Karim Ali Issa, a member of Al-Qassam and allegedly killed by Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Al Qassam Brigade)
  • 2 of 2: Wael Abdel Karim Ali Issa, a member of Al-Qassam and allegedly killed by Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Al Qassam Brigade)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an apartment being struck in the Tel Al Hawa (تل الهوا) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.508687, 34.432846.

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment being struck in the Tel Al Hawa (تل الهوا) neighbourhood of Gaza City (غَزَّة).

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Reports of the incident mention an apartment being struck in the Tel Al Hawa (تل الهوا) neighbourhood of Gaza (غَزَّة).

    Imagery:
    Planet

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @aassdip

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    @LinahAlsaafin

Israeli Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Israeli Military
Official source

View documentation of attacks by senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization's intelligence system >>>

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man1 journalist)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (56) [ collapse]

Incident Code

M21ISPT022

Incident date

May 12, 2021

Location

دوار حمودة, Hamoda Roundabout, the Gaza Strip

Geolocation

31.529039, 34.514730 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians were killed and another was injured in alleged Israeli airstrikes on a car near the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. Sources refer to most of the men killed as members of Fatah but there is no direct association between them and militant activities. Only one of the men was alleged to be a member of a militant organization, Hamas.

According to Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), “at approximately 10:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian car near Hamouda intersection, east of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, four were killed in the car and another one was wounded. Those killed were identified as: Tal’at Jameel Mahmoud Aghah (34), ‘Atif ‘Abed al-Rahman Jum’a al-Barawi (47), Nael Khaled Yunis al-Barawi (22), Wael Mahmoud Fares Al-Ghoula (47).”

A tweet from @husam_k2 reported that there were “3 martyrs” in the bombing while @mohammedddaya1identified four people as being killed. @pl24online added that those killed were taken to the Indonesian Hospital.

B’Tselem collected testimony from a ‘Imad Jneid, 36, a father of three who was working on the farm at the time of the incident, who said “On Wednesday, 12 May 2021, I arrived in the morning and started to work as usual. I opened the water valves to water the crops. I heard the loud sound of drones all the time. I was afraid something would happen, so I went inside the administration building. About half an hour later, ‘Atef al-Barawi, a contractor who to comes to harvest the crops, called me. He asked me to open the gate, which is about 350 meters from the building. I rode there on a donkey cart. ‘Atef came in together with two farmers who work with him, Tal’at and Nael. They went in and started picking apricots by the gate. At the same time, Wael al-Ghula, one of the farmers who works on the farm, called and asked me to pick him up from a gas station about 700 meters away from the farm. In the end, ‘Atef went to get him and we all picked peaches together. After that, I went to water some other trees. On the way, I did some weeding and kept the weeds for the donkey. Suddenly, I heard a loud explosion and felt a sharp pain in my left hand and stomach. I called out for someone to help me. I looked over towards the others and saw Wael, Nael, Tal’at and ‘Atef lying on the ground. I tried to get up and go to them, but I only managed to walk a few meters before I fell. I grabbed the door of ‘Atef’s car to get up, but then another missile landed. I tried to get up but fell again, so I crawled on. Then a third missile landed next to me. I kept crawling until I got to the building. I looked down and saw I was bleeding. I called my cousin on my mother’s side, Luai Jneid. I told him what had happened, and he called an ambulance that took me to the Indonesian Hospital. I had surgery on my stomach and they removed some shrapnel. I was hospitalized for nine days and then discharged.”

While PCHR and various other sources, including @MyPalestine0, refer to those killed as civilians and Raya News called them farmers, their status is contested by other sources. A tweet from @gaza_report identifies “five faction members are killed when a missile targets their vehicle Hamouda Roundabout” and @elderofziyon tweeted that the four named above were “Fatah Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades members” but there is little evidence that a militant wing of Fatah is still active.

Various sources, including Fatah Al Asif themselves, identify between four and five of the victims as members of Fatah. Tal’at Jameel Mahmoud Aghah (34), ‘Atif ‘Abed al-Rahman Jum’a al-Barawi (47), Wael Mahmoud  Fares Al-Ghoula (47), and Nael Khaled Yunis al-Barawi (22) are specifically named as members of Fatah on the Fatah Al Asif News Network and also in a Facebook post by Abo Jihad but are not referred to as fighters or militants. The “Fatah in the east of Gaza” published a statement “mourning the hand of this hero Wael Mahmoud Al Ghoula” and added that he was “the dearest of its loyal sons who worked in the first uprising in the movement committees and cells.”

The Israeli Defense Forces also released a statement naming only one of the victims, Mahmoud Fares, as the “Head of the Mechanics Desk at the Research, Development and Manufacturing Project” for Hamas. However, a post by Ijdida Martyrs on Facebook identified Fares as a member of Fatah as well, pointing out that other members of Fatah spoke at his funeral and “the Al-Ghoula family extended their thanks and appreciation to the brothers in the Fatah movement”.

The Israeli Defense Forces verified that they killed at least one of the victims of the bombing, Mahmoud Fares. They also mentioned five additional names, who the IDF claimed were Hamas militants: Thafer Shu, Majhad Hadidi, Akram Al’ata, Hassan Aki, Kamal Qu’arika.

However, they did not identify any of the others killed in their statement. All other sources that attributed responsibility for the incident blames Israel for the strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tal’at Jameel Mahmoud Aghah طلعت جميل فهد ورش اغا
34 years old male killed
‘Atif ‘Abed al-Rahman Jum’a al-Barawi عاطف عبد الرحمن البراوي
47 years old male killed
Nael Khaled Yunis al-Barawi نائل خالد البراوي
22 years old male killed
Wael Mahmoud  Fares Al-Ghoula وائل الغولة
47 years old male killed
Imad Jneid عماد جنيد
36 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (3–4 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–6

Sources (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Image of the car that was bombed in Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by @Gaza_2021)
  • A statement from the Israeli Defense Force that identifies at least one of the victims of the bombing as a member of Hamas. (Image posted by the IDF)
  • Image of Atef Abdel Rahman Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Talaat Jamil Fahad, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Nael Khaled Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Bodies of the three men identified as members of Fatah, Tala'at, Atef, and Nael, killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Abo Jihad via Facebook)
  • Image of Atef Abdel Rahman Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Nael Khaled Al-Barawi, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Talaat Jamil Fahad, an alleged member of the Fatah movement, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Hayal Abdl Hamid via Facebook)
  • Image of Wael Al-Ghoula (Abu Muhammad), an alleged member of Fatah or Hamas, was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Aoday Hara via Facebook)
  • Mourners attending the funeral of Wael Al-Ghoula (Abu Muhammad), an alleged member of Fatah or Hamas, who was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Ijdida Martyrs via Facebook)
  • Mourners attending the funeral of Wael Al-Ghoula (Abu Muhammad), an alleged member of Fatah or Hamas, who was killed in strikes on a car in the Hamouda roundabout in Beit Lahiya on May 12, 2021. (Image posted by Ijdida Martyrs via Facebook)
  • 1 of 2: Wael Mahmoud Al Ghoula was allegedly killed when he was hit by an Israeli airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Fatah movement east of Gaza, the area of the martyr Salah Khalaf Al-Shuja'iya / Facebook)
  • 2 of 2: Wael Mahmoud Al Ghoula was allegedly killed when he was hit by an Israeli airstrike on May 12th 2021 (Image via Fatah movement east of Gaza, the area of the martyr Salah Khalaf Al-Shuja'iya / Facebook)
  • Photo via The Palestinian National Liberation Movement "Fatah" Martyr Jamil Salman area on Facebook of Talat Jameel Agha, Atef Abdelrahman Al-Barawi and Nael Khaled Al-Barawi who were allegedly killed by an Israeli forces' airstrike on May 12th 2021.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a car being struck near Hamoda Roundabout (دوار حمودة) in Beit Lahiya (خان يونس) for which the generic coordinates are: 31.529039, 34.514730. Due to limited 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

Senior Hamas Terror Organization Officials Neutralized by the IDF:
Mahmoud Fares, as the "Head of the Mechanics Desk at the Research, Development and Manufacturing Project" for Hamas

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (3–4 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.
  • Known attacker
    Israeli Military
  • Known target
    Palestinian Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5–6

Sources (36) [ collapse]