Findings of the ITIC s examination of the identity of Palestinians killed in the events of the Great Return March (March 30, 2018 May 15, 2018)

Transcription

1 Findings of the ITIC s examination of the identity of Palestinians killed in the events of the Great Return March (March 30, 2018 May 15, 2018) May23, 2018 Overview After preparations which lasted for about two months, mass riots began to take place every Friday near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The declared purpose of these demonstrations and riots, organized and orchestrated by Hamas, was to break through the border fence and have masses of people enter into Israeli territory. According to the Palestinians, this should symbolically realize what the Palestinians refer to as the right of return of the Palestinian refugees (i.e., the destruction of the State of Israel). Another objective was to bring the severe economic situation of the Gaza Strip into public awareness and exert pressure to break the siege. The demonstrations and riots still haven t ended. Hamas intends to pursue them also during the forthcoming weeks, even at the cost of more fatalities. Hamas aspired to mobilize hundreds of thousands of Gaza Strip residents to participate in these events. However, eventually, the number of participants did not exceed several tens of thousands. In the two peak events, on March 30, 2018 (Land Day, the opening events) and on May 14, 2018 (the day on which the US Embassy was relocated to Jerusalem), about 40,000 residents took part in the demonstrations and riots. On other Fridays, Hamas could not mobilize that many residents. During the rest of the week days, several thousands of people took part in the riots and there were also a number of attempts to carry out terrorist attacks. The riots culminated in the events of May 14, 2018, with attempts, halted by IDF soldiers, to penetrate en masse into Israeli territory. The attempts to break into Israeli territory were accompanied by intentionally increased violence, throwing pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails at IDF soldiers; attempting to cut the fence; and sending Molotov kites, which set fire to fields in Israeli communities adjacent to the Gaza Strip. As a result of the increase in the number of rioters and the extensive violence on their part (which was unusual compared to previous incidents), the number of fatalities reached its height. Those fatalities consist of Palestinians who were in the front line of the rioters, most of them Hamas operatives.

2 2 Right: Palestinian rioters cutting the barbed wire in clashes in east Jabalia (Facebook page of Beit Hanoun News, May 14, 2018). Left: Demonstrators in east Rafah hurling stones at IDF forces with a large slingshot (QUDSN Facebook page, May 14, 2018) Findings of the examination of the names of fatalities According to the findings of examinations carried out by the ITIC, at least 112 Palestinians were killed during the Great Return March. 1 In an examination of the names of the fatalities on an individual basis, 93 were identified as terrorist operatives or affiliated with the terrorist organizations, i.e., about 83% of those killed in the return marches. Most of the fatalities (63) are from Hamas (about 56% of the total killed in all the marches). Fatah, which had 21 fatalities, played a minor role, with no significant impact on the events. The other organizations, including PIJ operatives (four fatalities) refrained from playing a significant role, maybe because of their awareness that this is a Hamas project. The organizational affiliation of 19 of the fatalities is unknown to the ITIC. It may be assumed that these are Hamas operatives or civilians who do not belong to any organization. The findings of the ITIC, which indicate the central role of Hamas among the fatalities, are consistent with the figures provided by two senior Hamas figures in the Gaza Strip: Salah Bardawil said that 50 out of the 62 shaheeds who were killed in the events of May 14, 2018 (about 81%) belonged to Hamas. He added that in the events that took place between March 30, 2018 and May 14, 2018, 50% of the fatalities were Hamas operatives. Yahya Sinwar, head of the Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip, also said that on May 14, Hamas had over 60 shaheeds, and that yet other 20 wounded are expected to die at any moment (Al-Mayadeen Channel s YouTube account, May 21, 2018). 1 This number may still increase, as there are several patients in the Gaza Strip hospitals who were critically wounded.

3 3 The findings of the examination of the identity of the fatalities carried out by the ITIC, and statements of senior Hamas officials, clearly demonstrate the central role played by Hamas in organizing the return marches and orchestrating them. The return marches were not popular, peaceful events, as falsely presented by Palestinian propaganda, but rather a Hamas strategic move accompanied by preplanned violence. This move was intended to free Hamas of its predicaments and achieve political and propaganda objectives (mainly, raising the right of return to the awareness of the Arab and international public and relieving the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip). Furthermore, the findings of the examination of the identity of the fatalities and reports from the ground clearly demonstrate that IDF soldiers did not shoot indiscriminately at innocent residents but instead hit terrorist operatives. These operatives were the dominant factor among those in the front line who tried to break into Israeli territory. The identities of the fatalities of the Great Return March (March 30, 2018 May 15, 2018) Organization Membership Affiliation Total Hamas Fatah PIJ DFLP PFLP Unknown Total 34 military wing and security force operatives 2 military operatives 4 military operatives 1 military operative 29 affiliated with Hamas 19 affiliated with Fatah 1 affiliated with the DFLP 3 affiliated with the PFLP Note: About 83% of the fatalities of the Great Return March (92 people) were terrorist operatives or individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations. At least 67% of them were Hamas operatives. The number of Hamas operatives may increase because it is possible that the category Without organizational affiliation (19 fatalities) also includes unidentified Hamas operatives fatalities

4 4 The identity of the fatalities of the Great Return March (March 30, 2018 May 13, 2018) Organization Membership Affiliation Total Hamas Fatah PIJ DFLP PFLP Unknown Total 9 military wing and security force operatives 2 military operatives 1 military operative 1 military operative 11 affiliated with Hamas 12 affiliated with Fatah 1 affiliated with the DFLP 2 affiliated with the PFLP fatalities Note: About 81% of the fatalities of the Great Return March until May 14, 2018 (39 people) were terrorist operatives or individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations. Most of the fatalities were members of Hamas or affiliated with it. The identity of the fatalities of the events of May 14 and 15, 2018 Organization Membership Affiliation Total Hamas Fatah PIJ DFLP PFLP Unknown Total 22 military wing operatives 3 operatives of the security services 3 military operatives 18 affiliated with Hamas 7 affiliated with Fatah 1 affiliated with the PFLP fatalities Note: About 84% of the fatalities on May 14 and 15, 2018 (54 people) were terrorist operatives or individuals affiliated with terrorist organizations. About 67% of them (43) were operatives of Hamas or affiliated with it. The organizational affiliation of 10 fatalities was not identified. It may be assumed that they include several Hamas operatives or individuals affiliated with Hamas.

5 5 Methodological notes Following are methodological notes on the findings of the identity of the march participants: These are interim findings pertaining to the period from March 30 to May 15, These findings are updated as at May 22, Names of other Palestinians who were seriously wounded and died of their injuries may be added to the number of fatalities. The ITIC s list of names is based on the list of names (55 names) of the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip. To supplement this list, in those cases where the reports of the Ministry of Health were incomplete (for example, nonpublication of the names of fatalities or misspellings of the names that were published), the ITIC completed the data based on information obtained from social media and other open sources. The ITIC distinguishes between two basic categories of those belonging to terrorist organizations: the first is for those who were definitely operatives in the various organizations. The second is for those who were affiliated with the organizations. On the other hand, Salah Bardawil and Yahya Sinwar do not make such a distinction in their figures about Hamas casualties, and all of them are included under the heading shaheeds of Hamas. The examination is based on open source information of variable quality, mainly from social media (Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter). Palestinian websites were also used. In some cases the information is solid and in some cases it is circumstantial. The events of May 14 and May 15, 2018 Main findings of the ITIC s examination 2 On May 14, 2018, the day of the ceremony for the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, violent demonstrations were held in 13 locations along the Gaza-Israel border. 2 The names of the fatalities up to the events of May 14 were examined on an individual basis by the ITIC. For the findings of the examination of most of the names, see the ITIC s Information Bulletin from April 11, 2018: Initial Analysis of the Identities of Gazans Killed During the Great Return March on March 30 and April 6, For an update to this document, see the ITIC s Information Bulletin from April 25, 2018: Analysis of the Identities of Gazans Killed During the Great Return March. For updates to both of these documents, see the ITIC's Information Bulletins on the march published after April 25, All these documents have been uploaded to the ITIC s website.

6 6 Some 40,000 Palestinians participated in these demonstrations, and according to IDF sources, they were characterized by unprecedented violence in comparison with the previous marches. The May 14 rioters attempted to penetrate into Israeli territory, while burning tires and throwing pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails at the fence. During the riots, Molotov kites were sent to Israel, causing many fires in the fields of Israeli communities surrounding the Gaza Strip. Under the cover of the demonstrations, shooting attacks were carried out and IEDs were planted by armed terrorist squads. On the evening of May 14, the demonstrators left the area. In the ITIC s assessment, they did so following instructions of the Hamas leadership, which supervised the events. In the violent events on May 14, 2018, and in events that continued on a lower profile on May 15, 2018, the ITIC identified the names of 64 fatalities. Of these fatalities, 53 (around 84%) were terrorist operatives or affiliated with terrorist operatives, the vast majority (around 67%) from Hamas (Hamas cited a higher percentage: senior Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar and Salah Bardawil admitted that 50 out of 62 shaheeds, i.e., 81%, were Hamas operatives 3 ). Most of those killed died during violent clashes with IDF forces, in the front line of demonstrators on the Israeli border. Some were killed while carrying out terrorist attacks or attempting to cross the security fence into Israeli territory. During the riots on May 14, 2018, the Palestinians also fired indiscriminately and massively at IDF drones (quadcopters) from the area of the tent camps in the rear (where there were apparently weapons). Therefore, it is possible that at least some of the Palestinian fatalities were hit by this gunfire. 3 See the ITIC s Information Bulletin from May 17, 2018: Senior Hamas figure Salah al-bardawil: 50 of the 62 shaheeds of May 14 [about 80%] belonged to Hamas. Yahya Sinwar, Hamas s leader in the Gaza Strip, also admitted that Hamas had more than 60 shaheeds in the May 14 events (Al- Mayadeen s YouTube channel, May 21, 2018).

7 7 Distribution of the fatalities from May 14 and May 15, 2018 by organization PFLP Sec urity services PIJ Fatah Hamas's military wing Hamas (not including the military wing) Unknown Methodological notes on how the names of the Palestinians killed in the events of May 14 and 15 were identified The number of fatalities: according to Dr. Ashraf al-qudra, spokesman for the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, 62 Palestinians were killed in the events of May 14 and 15, 60 of them on May 14 and 2 on May 15, This is also the number cited by senior Hamas figure Salah Bardawil when he announced that 50 of the 62 fatalities belonged to Hamas. However, on May 19, the number of fatalities rose to 65, following Dr. Ashraf al-qudra s announcement that three of the wounded had died of their injuries. Identifying the names of the fatalities: on May 14, 2018, the Palestinian Ministry of Health published a list of 55 names of fatalities (one of them was listed as a John Doe and the name of another fatality appeared twice on the list). This was the last detailed list of names found by the ITIC that was published by the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip. From then on, the names of those killed were reported sporadically on Dr. Ashraf al- Qudra s Facebook page or in the Palestinian media. The basis for the ITIC s list of fatalities was the list of 55 fatalities published by the Palestinian Ministry of Health on May 14, The missing names were found by the ITIC through searches on Facebook pages and other media outlets, where the names of those killed or those who died from their injuries were reported sporadically. In these searches, the ITIC identified the names of 64 Palestinians who were killed on May 14 and May 15, 2018, and this was the basis for its examination.

8 8 Distribution of the fatalities on May 14 and May 15 by organizational affiliation Hamas Other terrorist organizations Unknown identity The central role played by Hamas s casualties in the events of May 14, 2018 Of the 64 casualties, the ITIC identified 43 names of Hamas operatives or individuals affiliated with Hamas (around 67%). Senior Hamas figure Salah Bardawil said that according to the official figures, 50 shaheeds out of the 62 fatalities belonged to Hamas. It is possible that seven additional fatalities who belonged to Hamas were included among the 10 fatalities whose affiliation is unknown. It is also possible that Bardawil (and Yahya Sinwar) exaggerated slightly in order to highlight the great sacrifice that Hamas has made and to repel internal criticism. Of the 43 Hamas fatalities identified by the ITIC, 22 were operatives of the military wing (the Izz al-din al-qassam Brigades) and three fatalities were both Hamas operatives and members of the internal security services 4. The fatalities who were both Hamas operatives and members of the internal security services were given funerals by the Hamas military wing and were counted by the ITIC as operatives of the military wing. Eighteen fatalities were identified by the ITIC as affiliated with Hamas after their bodies were covered with a Hamas flag or other signs were found indicating their affiliation with Hamas. 4 The phenomenon of members of the security services who double as terrorist operatives is well known from previous confrontations.

9 9 The high percentage of Hamas operatives who were killed during the events of May 14 and in the previous events once again demonstrated Hamas s central role in planning and controlling the events. In the front line of the violent demonstrations, there were also Hamas operatives in civilian clothes who played a central role in the acts of violence and attempts to break into the sovereign territory of the State of Israel. These operatives were protected by women and children who were sent by Hamas to the front line to serve as human shields. In the ITIC s assessment, the large number of casualties among the operatives is primarily a result of Hamas s central role in the events, and senior Hamas figures do not bother to hide this. Hence the Palestinian propaganda message that these were popular demonstrations carried out in peaceful ways is a false message that the Palestinians have managed to convey to many countries around the world, including Western countries. Fatalities from other organizations and fatalities with no organizational affiliation Following are the identities of the fatalities from the other organizations: Fatah: Seven Fatah-affiliated fatalities. The fatalities included one female activist. She was the only woman killed in the events, despite the fact that the operatives of the various organizations encouraged women and children to come to the front line of the demonstrations, mainly to serve as human shields. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ): three of the fatalities were PIJ operatives. All of them were operatives of the military wing. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP): one fatality who was affiliated with the PFLP. With no organizational affiliation: no reports of the organizational affiliation of 10 operatives who were killed were found. The ITIC still hasn t identified 10 people killed in the events of May 14 and May 15, It can be assumed that some of them were civilians, but some of them may have been Hamas operatives who were not identified by the ITIC.

10 10 Continuation to be expected In the ITIC s assessment, from Hamas s perspective, the violent riots and demonstrations have not yet exhausted their inherent political and propaganda benefits. Senior Hamas figures call on their operatives and the entire Gazan public to continue the riots and even to die as shaheeds. The National Authority for the Great Return March, serving as a front for Hamas, called on the Gazan public to continue the marches on Friday, May 25, under the slogan Continuing despite the siege. Yahya Sinwar, head of the Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip, said that special events would take place on Naksa Day (June 5, the day of the defeat of the Arab states in the Six Day War) and on Jerusalem Day (June 8, support events for Palestinians initiated by Iran). Therefore, it can be assumed that in the weeks ahead, Hamas will continue to sacrifice the lives of its operatives, civilians and other terrorist operatives, while encouraging and fueling the political and propaganda campaign being waged against Israel. Appendix Attached is an appendix containing detailed information about the 64 fatalities in the events of May 14 and 15, including their organizational affiliation, based on examinations carried out by the ITIC. A detailed analysis of the identity of those killed up to May 14 was published, as aforesaid, in the ITIC s documents on the subject of the Great Return Marches.

11 11 Appendix The identities of 64 of the Palestinians killed in the events of May 14 and 15, 2018 Overview The Palestinians killed were identified according to information at various levels of reliability. In some instances there was unequivocal information indicating membership or affiliation with one of the terrorist organizations. In some, the information was circumstantial, such as a death notice issued by an organization, wrapping the body for burial in an organization flag or a memorial service with organization signs (banners and pictures, mourning tents with signs from an organization, visits of senior movement figures to a mourning tent). Information about the Palestinians killed on May 14, 2018 Anas Hamdan Salem Qudeih Personal details: 21 years old, from Abasan al-kabira ((Facebook page of Abasan al- Kabira, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed east of Khan Yunis (Twitter account of, the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: According to the social networks, he was an operative in Hamas' military wing (the Izz al-din Qassam Brigades) (Facebook page of Ibrahim Qudeih, May 14, 2018). Right: Anas Hamdan Salem Qudeih (Twitter account of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018). Left: Anas Hamdan Salem Qudeih a few minutes before his death (Facebook page of the Qudeih family, May 14, 2018)

12 12 The funeral held for Anas Hamdan Salem Qudeih. He is wearing a green Hamas military wing headband (from a video on the Facebook page of Shadi Qudeih, May 15, 2018) Musab Youssef Abu Laila Personal details: 28 or 29 years old, from the al-rimal neighborhood of Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: Shot to death in eastern Jabalia (Facebook pages of the spokesman of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip and the Indonesian hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: According to the death notice issued by the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, he was a lieutenant in military intelligence in the Gaza Strip (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Lieutenant Musab Youssef Abu Laila (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018)

13 13 Ubaida Salem Abd Rabbo Farhan Personal details: 30 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from Bani Suheila. Circumstances of his death: Killed in eastern Khan Yunis (Facebook pages of the Shehab Agency and the city of Bani Suheila, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: The military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) issued a notice referring to him as an operative in its ranks (website of the Jerusalem Battalions, May 14, 2018). Ubaida Salem Abd Rabbo Farhan (Facebook page of the city of Bani Suheila, May 14, 2018) Muhammad Ashraf Abu Sitta Personal details: 24 or 26 years old, from Beit Hanoun (Facebook pages of the spokesman of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip and the Indonesian hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed in eastern Beit Hanoun (Facebook pages of the Shehab Agency and Safahat Beit Hanoun al-akhbariya, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in the Fatah flag for burial (Facebook page of Safahat Beit Hanoun al-akhbariya, May 14, 2018).

14 14 Muhammad Ashraf Abu Sitta (Right: Twitter account of the "martyrs of Palestine" and the Facebook page of Safahat Beit Hanoun al-akhbariya, May 14, 2018) Izz al-din Moussa al-sammak Personal details: 14 years old (Facebook page of the spokesperson of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-bureij refugee camp. His father is Moussa al-sammak, a senior Hamas figure in the central Gaza Strip, who was deputy secretary of labor (Facebook page of Maghazi.news and al-mushraq News, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed in a riot in eastern al-bureij (fatehmedia.net, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. Right: Izz al-din Moussa al-sammak before his death east of the al-bureij refugee camp (QudsN Facebook page, May 14, 2018). Left: Moussa al-sammak, father of Izz al-din Moussa al-sammak (Facebook page of the "meeting place of the residents of al-bureij refugee camp," May 14, 2018)

15 15 Right: The body of Izz al-din Moussa al-sammak wrapped in a green Hamas flag. (Above: the body of Mahmoud Yahya Hussein) (Facebook page of the "meeting place of the residents of al-bureij refugee camp," May 14, 2018). Left: Izz al-din Moussa al-sammak's mother participates in the "Friday of loyalty to the shaheeds and wounded," holding a copy of the death notice issued by Hamas for her son (Twitter account of Shimaa' Ali, May 18, 2018) Izz al-din Nahed al-uweiti Personal details: 23 years old, from Khan Yunis. Circumstances of his death: Shot and killed during a riot (Facebook pages of the spokesman of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip and the European hospital in Khan Yunis, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Twitter account of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018). Izz al-din Nahed al-uweiti (Right: Facebook page of Majde Abo Omar, who represents himself as a classmate. He calls al-uweiti "the shaheed from the al-qassam Brigades," May 14, Left: Twitter account of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018)

16 16 Bilal Ahmad Abu Duqqa Personal details: 26 years old, from Abasan al-kabira. Circumstances of his death: Shot and killed during the riots (Facebook pages of the spokesman of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip and the European hospital in Khan Yunis, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Unknown Jihad Mufid Abd al-mun'em al-farra Personal details: 30 years old, from al-qarara. Circumstances of his death: Killed east of Khan Yunis (Facebook pages of the spokesman of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip and the European hospital in Khan Yunis, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: According to the social networks, he was an operative in Hamas' military wing. His brother, Iyad Mufid Abd al-mun'em al-farra, an operative in Hamas' military wing, was killed when a tunnel collapsed in the Khan Yunis region on August 4, 2014 (Twitter account of m_al_farra, who claimed to be a cousin of Jihad al- Farra, May 14, 2018; Facebook page of Mahmoud Abu al-hassan, who claimed to have met Jihad al-farra in a "return camp" a short time before his death, May 14, 2018). Jihad al-farra (Facebook page of Matrix Love, who claimed al-farra was his cousin, May 15, 2018)

17 17 Al-Farra's body wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of the al-saa 8 website, May 14, 2018) Fadi Hassan Salman Abu Salmi (Abu Salah) Personal details: 29 or 30 years old, from Abasan al-kabira; disabled (he lost both legs in Operation Cast Lead). Circumstances of his death: Shot to death in eastern Khan Yunis (Facebook pages of the spokesman of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, the European hospital in Khan Yunis and the Shehab Agency, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: The military wing of the PIJ claimed him as an operative and said he stood in the front line in every clash in eastern Khan Yunis (website of the Jerusalem Battalions, May 14, 2018). Ahmad Awadallah Right: Fadi Abu Salah in uniform. Left: During the riots (website of the Jerusalem Battalions, May 14, 2018) Personal details: 24 years old (Facebook page of the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-maghazi refugee camp (Facebook pages of the Nuseirat refugee camp, May 14, 2018).

18 18 Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Unknown Mu'tasem Fawzi Abu Lula Personal details: 20 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed in eastern Rafah. Wounded in the leg in a "return march" riot on May 4, On his Facebook page he stressed his determination to participate in "return march" activities, even at the price of his life (Filastin al-yawm, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Twitter account of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018). Right: Picture Abu Lula posted to his Facebook page with the hashtag "I_return" (Facebook page of Mu'tasem Fawzi Abu Lula, March 27, 2018). Left: Abu Lula's last posting to this Facebook page, reading "Goodbye those I love, we will see you in our land, if Allah so wills it" (Facebook page of Mu'tasem Fawzi Abu Lula, May 13, 2018) The body of Mu'tasem Fawzi Abu Lula wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Twitter account of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018) Muhammad Mahmoud Abd al-mu'ti Abd al-aal Personal details: 39 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018).

19 19 Circumstances of his death: Killed in eastern Rafah. Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Twitter account of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018). Right: Muhammad Mahmoud Abd al-aal (Facebook page of the city of Rafah al-safha al-rafiyah, May 14, 2018). Left: The body of Muhammad Mahmoud Abd al-aal wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Twitter account of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018) Ahmad Fawzi al-tatar Personal details: 28 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Was the son of a senior commander of the wireless communications unit of the national security apparatuses, General Fawzi al- Tatar (Official Fatah Facebook page, May 15, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Was a Fatah operative (Facebook page of the Fatah branch in western Gaza City, May 14, 2018). The death notice and mourning tent organized by the western Gaza City Fatah branch (Facebook page of the Fatah branch in western Gaza City, May 14, 2018)

20 20 Ahmad Adel Moussa al-shaer Personal details: 16 years old, from Khan Yunis. Circumstances of his death: Killed in eastern Khan Yunis (Twitter account of Filastin al-a'an, May 14, 2018) Organizational affiliation: The military wing of the PIJ reported he was an operative in its ranks (website of the Jerusalem Battalions, May 14, 2018). Ahmad al-shaer (Right: from the Facebook page of the al-shaer family, May 14, 2018; Left: Jerusalem Battalions website, May 14, 2018) Muhammad Abd al-rahman Ali Miqdad Personal details: 28 years old, from Khan Yunis (Facebook pages of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip and the European hospital in Khan Yunis, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. Muhammad Abd al-rahman Ali Miqdad (Facebook page of the Miqdad family, May 15, 2018)

21 21 Moussa Jaber Hasanein Personal details: 36 years old, a captain in the civil defense forces in the al-shati refugee camp (Facebook page of the al-shati refugee, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed in eastern Gaza City. According to the Palestinian version, he was killed while helping the wounded (Facebook pages of the civil defense administration and the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Operative in the security forces of the Hamas ministry of the interior. Moussa Jaber Hasanein (Right: Facebook page of the civil defense administration in the Gaza Strip, May 14, and the Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018) Mahmoud Rabah Allyan Abu Muamar Personal details: 28 years old, from the Ma'an region of Khan Yunis. Circumstances of his death: Shot to death during the riots (Facebook pages of the European hospital in Khan Yunis and the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial.

22 22 Picture of Mahmoud Rabah Allyan Abu Muamar with the hashtag, "I_return" (Facebook page of Mahmoud Rabah Allyan Abu Muamar, March 27, 2018). Left: The body of Mahmoud Rabah Allyan Abu Muamar wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Aseel Saidam, May 15, 2018) Ahmad Muhammad Ibrahim Hamdan Personal details: 27 years old, from the al-amal neighborhood of Khan Yunis (Facebook pages of the European hospital in Khan Yunis and the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in the Izz al-din Qassam Brigades' nukhba elite unit (Facebook page of Abdallah Hamdan and Twitter account of Mohamed Sabri from Khan Yunis, May 14, 2018). Ahmad Hamdan buried in a green Hamas headband (Facebook page of Jawad Zidan, May 14, 2018) Mu'taz Bassem Kamel al-nunu (Abu Bassem)

23 23 Personal details: 30 or 31 years old, from the al-rimal al-shimali neighborhood of western Gaza City (Facebook page of Hamas' public activity in al-rimal al-shimali, May 15, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Was a captain in Hamas' security forces in the Gaza Strip (Facebook pages of the ministry of the interior and the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). Was also an operative in Hamas' military wing. Mu'taz al-nunu (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018) Right: Mu'taz al-nunu wearing a Hamas headband and wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Hamas' public activity in al-rimal al-shimali, May 15, 2018). Left: Operatives of Hamas' military wing and a Hamas sign at the entrance to the mourning tent (Facebook page of Hamas' public activity in al-rimal al-shimali, May 16, 2018) Jihad Muhammad Othman Moussa (Abu Muhammad) Personal details: 30 or 31 years old, from a neighborhood in northwestern Gaza City (Local neighborhood Facebook page, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown

24 24 Organizational affiliation: Was a second lieutenant in the internal security apparatus of Hamas' ministry of the interior (Facebook pages of the spokesmen of the ministry of the interior and the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). He was also an operative in Hamas' military wing. Jihad Muhammad Moussa (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018) Right: Death notice issued by Hamas' military wing for Jihad Muhammad Moussa (Abu Muhammad) (Facebook page of a local neighborhood in northwestern Gaza City, May 15, 2018). Left: The funeral held for Jihad Muhammad Moussa, attended by senior Hamas figure Isma'il Radwan (Facebook page of Hamas' public activity apparatus in western Gaza City, May 15, 2018) Wissal Fadhel Izzat al-sheikh Khalil Personal details: 15 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-maghazi refugee camp. Participated in riots in the past. Her mother said that every time she left the house to participate in a demonstration, she hoped she would be killed (arabstoday.net, May 16, 2018). The social networks posted pictures of her at riots.

25 25 Circumstances of her death: Killed in eastern al-bureij (website of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: She was a Fatah activist, according to a notice from a secondary branch of Fatah in western Gaza City, and according to pictures of her funeral in the al-maghazi refugee camp (Facebook pages of the Fatah branch in western Gaza City and News of the al-maghazi refugee camp, May 14, 2018). Her body was wrapped in a Fatah flag for burial. Wissal Fadhel Izzat al-sheikh Khalil (Right: Twitter account of "the martyrs of Palestine," May 16, Left: Twitter account of "addvvv5," May 14, 2018) Right: The funeral held for Wissal Fadhel Izzat al-sheikh Khalil. Her body is wrapped in a Fatah flag for burial (Facebook page of News of the al-maghazi refugee camp, May 14, 2018). Left: The mourning tent erected by Fatah for Wissal Fadhel Izzat al-sheikh Khalil (Facebook page of Imad al-sheikh Khalil, May 14, 2018) Ibrahim Ahmad al-zarqa Personal details: 18 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018). From the al-tufah neighborhood of Gaza City. His mother said that since the beginning of the "return marches" he had gone to the

26 26 area east of Gaza City every Friday to photographs the events, and that he often said he hoped to become a shaheed. Circumstances of his death: Shot to death during the riots (Karameh Press, May 16, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was active in Hamas' media bureau in the al-tufah region (Twitter account of al-tufah al-ilamiyyah, May 15, 2018). Right: Ibrahim al-zarqa (Facebook page of Muhammad Abu Muataz, May 14, 2018). Left: The last post on Ibrahim al-zarqa's Facebook page "the morning of the return and the shahadah," May 14, The body of Ibrahim al-zarqa wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Hima al-najjar, May 15, 2018) Mustafa Muhammad Samir Mahmoud al-masri (Abu Suheib) Personal details: 22 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-daraj neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. His brother, Muhammad Samir al-masri, an engineer, was an operative in the Hamas' weapons manufacturing unit and was killed in a "work accident" on December 29, 2006 (Facebook page of 'Ilam al-daraj, May 14, 2018).

27 27 Circumstances of his death: Shot to death in eastern Gaza City (Facebook page of the union of the families of al-daraj in Gaza City, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in Hamas' military wing (Facebook page of Waleed M. Ahel, May 14, 2018). Right: Mustafa al-masri in uniform. Left: The funeral of Mustafa al-masri, attended by armed operatives of Hamas' military wing (from a video about Mustafa al-masri on the Facebook page of Sharq Press, May 16, 2018) The body of Mustafa al-masri wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Waleed M. Ahel, May 14, 2018). Left: Hamas banner at the entrance to the mourning tent erected for Mustafa al-masri (Facebook page of Sharq Press, May 15, 2018) Ahmad Fayiz Harb Shihadeh (Abu Musab) Personal details: 23 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from al-rimal al-shimali in western Gaza City (Facebook page of the sports committee of the mosques in the al-rimal al-shimali region, May 14, 2018). He was a lawyer (Facebook page of the Palestinian Bar Association, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown

28 28 Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial and he was wearing an Izz al-din Qassam Brigades headband. He may have been an operative in Hamas' military wing. Right: Ahmad Fayiz Harb Shihadeh (Abu Musab). Left: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag and he was wearing a Hamas military wing headband for burial (Facebook page of Yusuf Shihadeh who represents himself as Ahmad's cousin, May 14, 2018) Ahmad Zuheir Hamed al-shawwa (Abu Dia') Personal details: 24 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-daraj neighborhood (Facebook page of 'Ilam al-daraj, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Shot to death in eastern Gaza City (Facebook page of Hamdan Shawwa, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag and he was wearing a Hamas military wing headband for burial. Hamas issued a death notice for him (along with four other operatives from the al-daraj area).

29 29 Ahmad Zuheir al-shawwa. Left: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag and he was wearing a Hamas military wing headband for burial (Facebook page of 'Ilam al-daraj, May 14, 2018) Ahmad Zuheir al-shawwa (second from right) in uniform, one of five in a Hamas death notice issued for operatives from the area killed on May 14, 2018 (Facebook page of 'Ilam al-daraj, May 15, 2018) Muhammad Hani Husni al-najjar Personal details: 33 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the Jabalia refugee camp. Circumstances of his death: Killed in the riots in the eastern part of the Jabalia refugee camp (Shehab Agency Facebook page, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was a second lieutenant in the Hamas naval police (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Hamas banners were hung in the mourning tent erected for him. According to the social networks, he was an operative in Hamas' military wing. Abd al-rahman, brother of Muhammad al-najjar, was an operative in Hamas' military wing and killed on July 6, 2006, in a clash with the IDF in the northern Gaza Strip. His sister was killed in Operation Cast Lead (Facebook page of Muhammad Abu Safia, May 15, 2018).

30 30 Right: Muhammad al-najjar (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Left: Muhammad al-najjar's last activity on his Facebook page was to change his profile picture to hashtag "I_return" (Facebook page of Muhammad al-najjar, March 29, 2018) Right: Picture of the funeral held for Muhammad al-najjar, with the logo of Hamas' media bureau in the Jabalia refugee camp in the upper lefthand corner (Shehab Agency Facebook page, May 14, 2018). Left: Hamas death notices hung in the mourning tent erected for Muhammad al-najjar (Facebook page of Hamas' naval police, May 15, 2018) Fadhel Muhammad Atta Habshi (Abu Ahmad) Personal details: 34 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-daraj neighborhood (Twitter account of Shabakat Fajar al-'ilamiya, May 15, 2018) Circumstances of his death: Killed near an IDF post, where he customarily went every Friday (Facebook page of Adelat al-sheikh and Twitter account of Mohamed Naem, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was a major in the Hamas security and protection forces (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018).

31 31 Fadhel Muhammad Habshi (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Left: Funeral held for Fadhel Muhammad Habshi without any organizational signs (Facebook page of 'Ilam al-daraj, May 14 and 15, 2018) Abd al-salam Yusuf Abd al-rahman Abd al-wahab Personal details: 38 years old, from al-qarara. Worked in the department of education and higher education in Khan Yunis (website of the department, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Shot to death during the riots (Facebook page of the European hospital in Khan Yunis, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in the Hamas flag for burial. His brother was an operative in Hamas' military wing and killed on January 24, 2002, in terrorist attack near Ganei Tal, in central Israel south of Gadera (Facebook page of Bahaa Alagha, May 14, 2018). Right: Abd al-salam al-wahab with the "I_return" hashtag (Facebook page of Abd al-salam Yusuf Abd al-rahman Abd al-wahab, March 26, 2018). Left: At a "return march" (Facebook page of Abd al-salam Yusuf Abd al-rahman Abd al-wahab, March 30, 2018) Ali Muhammad Ahmad Khafaja Personal details: 21 years old, from the al-sultan neighborhood in Rafah. Circumstances of his death: Killed in eastern Rafah (Facebook page of the medical services administration in the Gaza Strip, a department of the ministry of the interior, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Hamas banners and flags were hung at the entrance to the mourning tent erected for him.

32 32 Ali Khafaja (Facebook page of Abd al-mu'ti Abu Samaan, a classmate of Khafaja, May 14, 2018) Hamas signs and flags at the entrance of the mourning tent erected for Ali Khafaja (Facebook page of Yahya Khafaja, May 15, 2018) Muhammad Suleiman Aqel Personal details: 32 or 33 years old, from Abasan al-jadeeda in the Khan Yunis district. His name also appears on the social networks as Muhammad Suleiman Ibrahim Aqel (Twitter account of Rafah24, May 14, 2018) and Muhammad Suleiman Aqel al-dughma (Twitter account of Iyad Asfur Abu Amjad, May 15, 2018, and the Facebook page of Mohamed Aqel, May 15, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Was a captain in the Palestinian police force in Khan Yunis (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, the Twitter account of media correspondent Muhammad Lafi, May 14, 2018, and the Twitter account of Rafah24, May 14, 2018).

33 33 Mahmoud Mustafa Ahmad Assaf Muhammad Suleiman Aqel (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018) Personal details: 17 or 23 years old, from the Jabalia refugee camp (Facebook page of Isma'il Jumaa, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed east of Jabalia (Facebook page of Muhammad Farid Assaf, May 14, 2018). According to the Facebook page of Mahmoud al-batash, he was on a bus with Mahmoud Mustafa Assaf, who passionately called for the border security fence to be torn down, with blood, body and spirit (Facebook page of Mahmoud al-batash, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Unknown

34 34 Mahmoud Assaf (Facebook page of Mahmoud al-batash, May 15, 2018) Ahmad Majed Qassem Atallah Personal details: 27 years old, from the al-daraj neighborhood of Gaza City (Fajar Net, May 15, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Unknown Ahmad Atallah (Facebook page of the Hirz Atallah family, date, 2018) Khalil Isma'il Khalil Mansour Personal details: 25 years old, from the al-tufah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: A relative recounted that a few hours before his death he played with his young daughter and sang to her that he was going to paradise (Dunia al-watan, May 16, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Unknown Talal Adel Ibrahim Matar Khalil Mansour (Twitter account of Palshaheed, May 14, 2018)

35 35 Personal details: 16 years old Circumstances of his death: Died in the Shifaa hospital in Gaza City on May 15, 2018, having been wounded in a riot east of Gaza City (Facebook page of Khan Yunis Now, May 16, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Unknown Talal Adel Ibrahim Matar (Facebook page of Khan Yunis Now, May 16, 2018) Muhammad Samir Dawidar Personal details: 29 years old, from the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Circumstances of his death: Killed east of al-bureij. Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. His funeral was attended by armed operatives who fired their guns into the air (Safa, May 15, 2018). The body of Muhammad Samir Dawidar wrapped in the Hamas flag (Safa and the al-saa 8 website, May 15, 2018) Mukhtar Abd al-karim Abu Khamash

36 36 Personal details: 23 years old, from Deir al-balah. Circumstances of his death: Killed east of al-bureij. Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Shehab Facebook page, May 15, 2018). Imad al-nufar The body of Mukhtar Abu Khamash, wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Shehab Facebook page, May 15, 2018) Personal details: Unknown Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. Senior Hamas figure Isma'il Radwan attended his funeral (Shehab, May 15, 2018). Hamas and its military wing issued a joint death notice for him. According to the notice, he was an operative in Hamas' military wing, killed during the "great return march" on May 14, 2018 (Facebook page of a neighborhood in northwestern Gaza City, May 18, 2018).

37 37 Right: The body of Imad al-nufar wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Shehab, May 15, 2018). Left: Senior Hamas figure Isma'il Radwan posts to his Twitter account that he attended the funeral of the "jihadi shaheed" Imad al-nufar (Twitter account of Isma'il Radwan, May 15, 2018) Right: Joint death notice issued by Hamas and its military wing for the "al-qassam [Izz al-din Qassam Brigades] shaheed Imad Muhammad al-nufar" (Facebook page of a neighborhood in northwestern Gaza City, May 18, 2018). Left: Undated picture posted to the Twitter account of a friend of Imad al-nufar, taken near the security fence (Twitter account of "3bood_aboodnfar," May 15, 2018) Sayid Muhammad Abu al-kheir Personal details: 16 years old, from the central Gaza Strip. Circumstances of his death: Killed east of Gaza City (Facebook page of Gaza Now, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. Hamas' military wing issued a death notice for him (YouTube, May 15, 2018).

38 38 Right: Death notice issued for Sayid Muhammad al-kheir. Left: His body wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (YouTube, May 15, 2018) Imad Ali Sadeq al-sheikh Personal details: 19 years old, from Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: Killed east of Gaza City (Fajar Net, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Unknown. His parents said he left home while on a fast to clash with IDF soldiers with the intention of becoming a shaheed. Family members issued a death notice for him with a picture of him holding a rifle. The picture was taken while he was at a Hamas military youth camp in the Gaza Strip (Facebook page of families from the al-daraj neighborhood of Gaza City, May 15, 2018). Death notice issued by the al-sheikh family with a picture of Imad al-sheikh holding a rifle. The picture was taken at a Hamas military youth camp (Facebook page of families from the al-daraj neighborhood of Gaza City, May 15, 2018) Zayid Muhammad Hassan Omar Personal details: 19 years old, from the al-daraj neighborhood of Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Wearing a Hamas headband and wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial, over which a Palestinian flag was draped (Fajar Net, May 14, 2018).

39 39 Body of Zayid Omar wrapped wearing a Hamas headband, wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial, and draped with a Palestinian flag (Fajar Net, May 14, 2018) Muhammad Abd al-salam Hirz Personal details: 21 years old, from Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Unknown

40 40 Muhammad Abd al-salam Hirz (Facebook page of the families of the al-daraj neighborhood in Gaza City, May 14, 2018) Shaher Mahmoud Muhammad al-madhoun (Abu Abdallah) Personal details: 32 years old, from Gaza City (Facebook page of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018). Shaher al-madhoun was a nephew of journalist Muhammad al-mahdoun, who in the past worked for al-aqsa TV and Hamas' Shehab news agency. He currently lives in Istanbul (Facebook page of Muhammad al-madhoun, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14, east of Gaza City (Twitter account of Muhammad al-madhoun, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in Hamas' military wing. A posting to the al-madhoun family Facebook page (May 14) showed him in military uniform and called him a "jihadi shaheed." According to the Facebook page of Abu Ubaida Muhammad from Gaza, whose pictures indicate the two were friends, Shaher al- Madhoun was a commander in the Izz al-din Qassam Brigades (Facebook page of Abu Ubaida Muhammad, May 14, 2018). Mahmoud Yahya Hussein Strip Shaher al-madhoun in military uniform (Facebook page of the al-madhoun family, May 14, 2018) Personal details: 24 years old, from the al-bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza

41 41 Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14, east of al-bureij (Filastin al-a'an, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. According to a Gazan Twitter account, he was an operative in Hamas' military wing (twitter.com/hollygaz/ May 14, 2018). The body of Mahmoud Hussein, wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (twitter.com/hollygaz/ May 14, 2018) Muhammad Riyadh Abd al-rahman al-aamoudi (Abu Ubaida) Personal details: 31 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-shati refugee camp north of Gaza City (Shehab Facebook page, May 14, 2018). Worked for the office of the inspector general of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Was also a field commander in Hamas' military wing (Facebook page of Ahmad Abu Rakan, May 14, 2018).

42 42 Right: Mahmoud Riyadh al-aamoudi (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Left: Mahmoud al-aamoudi wearing a Hamas military wing headband and wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of the office of the inspector general of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018) Isma'il Khalil Ramadan al-dahuk Personal details: 30 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-tufah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City (Twitter account of Shabakat al-tufah al-'ilamiya, May 15, 2018). According to the social networks, his name was Isma'il Walid Ramadan al-dahuk. Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14 east of Gaza City, near the cemetery (Facebook page of the public group of Ayman al-dahuk Abu Jihad, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in the Palestinian police force (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018) and also an operative in Hamas' military wing.

43 43 Right: Isma'il al-dahuk (Facebook page of the ministry of the interior in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Left: The funeral held for Isma'il al-dahuk, with no indications of his Hamas affiliation (Twitter account of Shabakat Fajar al-'ilamiya and a video on the Facebook page of Nidal Othman, May 15, 2018) Ahmad Mahmoud Muhammad al-rantisi Personal details: 27 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City (Facebook page of Ahmad Jamal, May 15, 2018). Son of senior Hamas figure Dr. Mahmoud al-rantisi (Abu Anas) (Twitter account of Adham Abu Salmiya, a Hamas activist who is also deputy chairman of the Zakat [charity] committee in Deir al-balah and a spokesman for the so-called "national movement committee for breaking the siege and reconstruction in Gaza," May 14, 2018) Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a green Hamas flag for burial. According to pictures posted on the social networks, he was also an operative in Hamas' military wing. Right: Ahmad al-rantisi (Twitter account of Adham Abu Salmiya, May 14, 2018). Left: Ahmad al- Rantisi's father, Dr. Mahmoud al-rantisi (YouTube channel of Hamas' public activity unit in western Gaza City, December 18, 2016)

44 44 Ahmad al-rantisi in Hamas military wing uniform. (Right: Twitter account of Yahya Abu Masima, May 16, Left: Instagram account of ahmed_abo_awni, May 15, 2018) Right: The body of Ahmad al-rantisi wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Paldf Twitter account, May 14, 2018). Left: Isma'il Haniyeh offers his condolences at the mourning tent erected by the family (Facebook page of Ahmad Jamal, May 15, 2018) Ahmad Abdallah al-adini Personal details: 30 or 36 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from Deir al-balah. Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14 east of the al-bureij refugee camp. Organizational affiliation: Belonged to the leadership of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Deir al-balah. The PFLP in the Gaza Strip issued a death notice for him, saying he had been one of the first to join the "return march" activities and made a point of participating in the riots (Facebook page of, the PFLP's media unit in the central Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Right: The death notice issued by the PFLP for Ahmad al-adini (Facebook page of, the PFLP's media bureau in the central Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Left: The funeral held

45 45 for Ahmad al-adini, attended by PFLP military operatives. His body was wrapped in the PFLP for burial (Facebook page of, the PFLP's media bureau in the central Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018) Omar Jumaa Abu Fol Personal details: 30 years old, from the al-tufah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City Circumstances of his death: Wounded on May 14 east of Gaza City (Twitter account of Shabakat Fajar al-'ilamiya, May 15, 2018). Died of his wounds in the Indonesian hospital in the northern Gaza Strip on May 15 (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in Hamas' military wing. He wore a Hamas military wing headband and his body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. His funeral was attended by operatives of Hamas' military wing (Facebook page of Sharq Press, May 16, 2018). Omar Abu Fol (Facebook page of Shabakat Fajar al-'ilamiya, May 15, 2018) The funeral held for Omar Abu Fol (Facebook page of Sharq Press, May 16, 2018) Muhammad Hassan Mustafa al-abdallah Personal details: 25 (Facebook page of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018) or 26 years old (according to the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis), from al-qarara (quds.net, May 14, 2018).

46 46 Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: According to the social networks, he was an operative in Hamas' military wing (Facebook page of Mohammed O. Alabadla, May 15, 2018). His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. Right: Muhammad al-abadallah (Facebook page of Mohammed O. Alabadla, May 15, 2018). Left: The body of Muhammad al-abadallah wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Shabakat Khan Yunis al-'ilamiya, May 14, 2018) Ahmad Salem Allyan al-jaraf Personal details: 26 years old according to the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip (Facebook page of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018), from Abasan al- Jadeeda. Circumstances of his death: Killed during riots in the region of al-farahin (Facebook page of Shabakat Nur al-akhbariya, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was chairman of the Hamas student faction at the al- Quds Open University in Khan Yunis. His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of the Islamic Bloc, the department of southern Abasan, May 15, 2018).

47 47 Right: Ahmad Salem al-jaraf (Facebook page of the Islamic Bloc, the department of southern Abasan, May 15, 2018). Left: The funeral held for Ahmad al-jaraf (from a video posted to the Facebook page of Shabakat Nur al-akhbariya, May 14, 2018) Abd al-rahman Sami Aqel Abu Matar / Abd al-rahman Sami Aqel Personal details: 18 years old according to the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip (Facebook page of Gazan journalist Hassan Aslih, May 14, 2018). From the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. His name also appears on the social networks as Abd al-rahman Sami Aqel (Facebook page of the al-nuseirat refugee camp, May 14, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Shot during the riots (website of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Abd al-aziz al-malek, May 14, 2018). His brother, Tareq Sami Aqel Abu Matar, was a Hamas operative killed in March 2003 in an IDF activity in the Nuseirat refugee camp (Facebook page of the Rashfat Qahwa Group, May 14, 2018). Right: Abd al-rahman Sami Aqel (Facebook page of the Rashfat Qahwa Group, May 14, 2018). Left: The body of Abd al-rahman Sami Aqel wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Abd al-aziz al-malek, May 14, 2018) Alaa Anwar Ahmad al-khatib Personal details: 28 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-sajaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City (Twitter account of Shabakat Fajar al-'ilamiya, May 15, 2018).

48 48 Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14 in riots east of Sajaiya (Facebook page of Ali Muhammad al-khatib, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Belonged to the branch of the Fatah movement in eastern Gaza City (Facebook page of the branch of the Fatah movement in eastern Gaza City, May 14, 2018). Right: Alaa Anwar al-khatib (Twitter account of Shabakat Fajar al-'ilamiya, May 15, 2018). Left: Death notice issued by the Khalil al-wazir branch of Fatah in Sajaiya (May 14, 2018) Mahmoud Wael Mahmoud Jundiya Personal details: 21 years old, from the al-sajaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City (Facebook page of Gaza Now, May 15, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Details unknown Organizational affiliation: Was a Fatah operative. The branch of the Fatah movement in eastern Gaza City posted to its Facebook page that it mourned the death of its "heroic shaheed sons" killed in the Nakba Day march by IDF fire in eastern Gaza City. Mahmoud Jundiya, said the announcement, was one of three Gazans mentioned (Facebook page of the branch of the Fatah movement in eastern Gaza City, May 14, 2018). Fatah also issued a poster with Jundiya's picture (Facebook page of Yusuf Jundiya, May 15, 2018). The body of Mahmoud Jundiya was wrapped in a Fatah flag for burial (Facebook page of Hamada Muhammad Jundiya, May 15, 2018).

49 49 Right: Death notice issued for Mahmoud Jundiya by the branch of the Fatah movement in eastern Gaza City (Facebook page of Yusuf Jundiya, May 15, 2018). Left: The body of Mahmoud Jundiya wrapped in a Fatah flag for burial (Facebook page of Hamada Muhammad Jundiya, May 15, 2018) Ahmad al-abed Abu Samra Personal details: 21 years old, from Jabalia. Circumstances of his death: Critically wounded on May 14 east of Jabalia. Died on May 19 in the Shifaa hospital in Gaza City (Facebook page of Dr. Ashraf al-qidra, May 19, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Jabalia al-nazle, May 19, 2018). Muhammed Mazen Allyan Body of Ahmad Abu Samra wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Jabalia al-nazle, May 19, 2018) Personal details: 20 or 21 years old, from the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Circumstances of his death: Critically wounded on May 14 east of Jabalia. Died on May 19 in the al-quds hospital in Gaza City (Facebook page of Dr. Ashraf al-qidra, May 19, 2018).

50 50 Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Shehab Twitter account, May 19, 2018). The body of Mahmoud Allyan wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Shehab Twitter account, May 19, 2018) Taher Ahmad Madhi Personal details: 24 years old, from the al-shati refugee camp north of Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14, 2018 (website of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, May 15, 2018; Twitter account of fadi madi, May 14, 2018). Organizational affiliation: The pictures from his funeral and the mourning tent erected for him indicate he was an operative in Hamas' military wing. Right: Taher Ahmad Madhi. Left: The body of Taher Ahmad Madhi wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Muhammad Ahmad Madhi, May 14, 2018)

51 51 The mourning tent erected for Taher Ahmad Madhi. There are posters issued by the Badr Battalion of Hamas' military wing mourning the death of "its shaheed" (Facebook page of Muhammad Ahmad Madhi, May 16, 2018) Samer Nael Awny al-shawwa (Abu Mu'min) Personal details: 22 or 23 years old. Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14 in eastern Gaza City (website of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, May 15, 2018; website of the al-shawwa family, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in Hamas' military wing. Right: Samer Nael Awni al-shawwa (Abu Mu'min. Left: The body of Samer al-shawwa wearing a green Izz al-din Qassam Brigades headband and wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Muhammad Nael al-shawwa, Samer's brother, May 15, 2018)

52 52 Death notice issued by the Badr Battalion of Hamas' military wing mourning "its shaheed" (Facebook page of Muhammad Nael al-shawwa, Samer's brother, May 15, 2018) Yazan Ibrahim Muhammad Khalaf al-tubasi Personal details: 23 years old, from the al-shati refugee camp north of Gaza City; family originally from the town of Tammun, northeast of Nablus (Facebook page of Walid al-tubasi, May 15, 2018). His father was expelled from the town to the Gaza Strip (Facebook page of al-quds TV, May 15, 2018). Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14 (website of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in Hamas' military wing. His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial and he was wearing a Hamas military wing headband. Note: The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) branch in the town of Tammun issued a death notice for "its shaheed," allegedly killed on May 11 in the Gaza Strip (website of the PFLP's military wing, May 17, 2018). Right: Yazan al-tubasi (Facebook page of Akhbar Tammun Awal Balawal, May 15, 2018). Left: Yazan al-tubasi wearing a Hamas military wing headband and wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (from a video posted to the Facebook page of Loay al-sawafiri, May 15, 2018)

53 53 Notice issued by the Tammun branch of the DFLP for "its shaheed" Yazan Ibrahim al-tubasi, according to which he was allegedly killed on May 11 in the Gaza Strip (website of the PFLP's military wing, May 17, 2018) Layla Anwar al-ghundur Personal details: 8 months old, from a family living in the al-shati refugee camp. Circumstances of her death: According to the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, she died of tear-gas inhalation while with her parents in the "return camp" east of Gaza City (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). However, her parents said she had a congenital heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus. A doctor, who chose to remain anonymous, told the AP he was of the opinion that the defect, not the tear gas, was the cause of her death (New York Times, May 16, 2018). Note: A spokesman for the ministry of health later said her name was not on the list of Gazans killed and that the circumstances of her death were being examined. Muin Abd al-hamid al-saie The funeral procession of Layla Anwar al-ghundur (Palestine Online, May 16, 2018) Personal details: 58 years old, from the al-shati refugee camp north of Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: Critically wounded on May 14 in eastern Gaza City. Died on May 19 in the Shifaa hospital in Gaza City (Facebook page of Dr. Ashraf al-qidra, May 19, 2018). Organizational affiliation: Fatah. His body was wrapped in the Palestinian flag. Yellow Fatah flags were carried at his funeral (Paltoday YouTube channel, may 19, 2018).

54 54 Right: Muin Abd al-hamid al-saie (Twitter account of Filastin al-a'an, May 19, 2018). Left: Muin al-saie at one of the focal riot sites in the Gaza Strip (Paldf Twitter account, May 19, 2018) The funeral of Muin al-saie. His body was wrapped in the Palestinian flag. Mourners carried Fatah flags (Paltoday YouTube channel, May 19, 2018) Yahya Isma'il Rajib al-daqur (Abu Hamza) Personal details: 22 years old (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 14, 2018), from the al-sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. Circumstances of his death: Details unknown. Organizational affiliation: Was an operative in Hamas' military wing (Facebook page of the al-taqwa mosque in the al-sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, May 16, 2018).

55 55 Right: Death notice issued by the al-taqwa mosque for Yahya al-daqur (Abu Hamza). The death notice called him an operative in Hamas military wing Facebook page of the al-taqwa mosque in the al-sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, May 16, 2018). Left: Body of Yahya al-daqur wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Facebook page of Fawzi Ashraf, May 15, 2018) Information about the Palestinians killed on May 15, 2018 Nasser Ahmad Mahmoud Ghrab Personal details: 51 years old, from the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Circumstances of his death: Shot to death east of Jabalia on May 15 (Facebook page of Dr Ashraf al-qidra, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Emad, May 16, 2018). The body of Nasr Ghrab wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial (Emad, May 16, 2018) Bilal Badeir Hussein al-ashram Strip. Personal details: 18 years old, from the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza

56 56 Circumstances of his death: Shot to death on May 14, east of the al-bureij refugee camp (Facebook page of the spokesman for the ministry of health in the Gaza Strip, May 15, 2018). Organizational affiliation: The Fatah branch in central Gaza Strip issued a death notice for him saying he was a Fatah operative (Facebook page of the Raed al- Qrinawi branch of the Fatah in the central Gaza Strip, May 16, 2018). Right: Death notice issued by Fatah for Bilal al-ashram (Facebook page of the Raed al-qrinawi branch of the Fatah in the central Gaza Strip, May 16, 2018). Left: A Fatah flag was placed on his body for burial (Facebook page of the Nuseirat refugee camp, May 16, 2018) Saadi Sayid Fahmi Abu Salah Personal details: 16 years old, from Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. His father and his uncle are released prisoners affiliated with Hamas. Two of the uncle's sons are currently imprisoned in Israel. The uncle posted a notice to his Twitter account thanking Hamas and its military wing for attending the funeral of his nephew, Saadi Abu Salah (Twitter account of Fahmi Abu Salah, May 16, 2018). fence. Circumstances of his death: Killed on May 14, east of Beit Hanoun, near the border Organizational affiliation: Hamas produced a video dedicated to his memory showing him participating with a group of other adolescents in an attempt to cut through the border security fence. In the video his father says his son always spoke of his desire to be a shaheed. He said that from the beginning his son had always attended the "return marches." His body was wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial

57 57 (Shehab Facebook page, May 16, 2018). Hamas activists and operatives attended his funeral. Right: The body of Saadi Abu Salah wrapped in a Hamas flag for burial. Left: Saadi Abu Salah, a short time before his death, participating with a group of other adolescents in cutting through the border security fence during the riots on May 14 (Shehab Facebook page, May 16, 2018)