Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #70. Dec 15

On 15 December, an airstrike struck a school sheltering Internally Displaced People (IDPs), in Khan Yunis, reportedly killing 12 Palestinians, and injuring dozens of others. Since 7 October, at least 288 IDPs sheltering in UNRWA shelters have been killed and at least 998 injured, according to UNRWA. A total of 342 school buildings have sustained damage (about 70 per cent of all school buildings in Gaza). Seventy of the schools damaged are UNRWA schools, with at least 56 serving as shelters for IDPs. Several schools, including UNRWA schools, have been directly hit by Israeli airstrikes or tank shells.


A new World Food Programme (WFP) rapid food security assessment reveals alarming trends in the food security situation in southern Gaza, with 44 per cent of assessed households facing very severe hunger. This is an increase from the 24 per cent recorded in the previous assessment undertaken during the humanitarian pause (24-30 November).

Obtaining an accurate total of the IDPs remains challenging, but as of 12 December, according to UNRWA, almost 1.9 million people in Gaza, or nearly 85 per cent of the population, are estimated to be internally displaced, including people who have been displaced multiple times.

read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #70

“These are all our memories, our entire lives. For over 50 years, we have been living here .... Now it's all gone; everything has turned into ashes.” Screenshot from a video by UNRWA

Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #68. Dec. 13


As of 12 December, according to UNRWA, almost 1.9 million people in Gaza, or nearly 85 per cent of the population, are estimated to be internally displaced, many of them have been displaced multiple times.

  • As of 11 December, nearly 1.3 million of these IDPs were registered in 155 UNRWA facilities across Gaza, including more than 1.1 million in 98 UNRWA shelters in the Middle Area, Khan Younis and Rafah governorates. Obtaining an accurate total is challenging, given the difficulties involved in tracking IDPs staying with host families, the renewed movement of IDPs following evacuation orders since 1 December, and the evacuation of five UNRWA shelters on the orders of the Israeli military in eastern Khan Younis on 6 December.

  • Due to the overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions at UNRWA shelters in the south, there have been significant increases in some communicable diseases and conditions such as diarrhea, influenza, chicken pox, meningitis, jaundice, impetigo acute respiratory infections, skin infections and hygiene-related conditions like lice.

  • On average, UNRWA shelters south of Wadi Gaza are sheltering nine times their intended IDP capacity.

    Read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #68

A 6-year-old displaced boy in southern Gaza, where heavy rains have worsened the already dreadful living conditions of people staying outdoors, adding to the risk of waterborne diseases. Photo by UNICEF/El-Baba, 6 December 2023

Once a year, the Alliance asks for your support.

Friends,
 
In this dark time, we turn to each other for support. While what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank feels unbearable, we are buoyed by public sentiment: According to a Reuters poll in mid-November, 68% of Americans favor a cease fire. 
 
Because we know that the demonstrations, standouts, letters to the editor, and scenes of Gaza’s devastation are helping to sway public opinion, we have intensified our education, agitation, and organizing.
 
The reach of our social media work has significantly expanded. The number of our followers on Facebook and Twitter has steadily increased and we have a new Instagram account. (waterpalestine).  Visits to our website is up 66% in the last month, including people from 78 different countries. Daily updates from the U.N., photos from demonstrations, and images of resistance and solidarity are featured on our blog. In addition, 500 people have already signed up for our emailed Water Facts, a bi-monthly summary on different current aspects of life and death in Palestine.
 
In Massachusetts, we

  • initiated a centralized list for 20 local Palestine solidarity organizations and many individuals to publicize standouts and demonstrations.

  • distributed 75 yard signs in the greater Boston area and the South Shore.

  • collaborated with other justice groups in a sustained effort to educate and hold our elected officials accountable.

Our members are tireless, but our work also requires money. We need your support to create timely new banners, produce more lawn signs, pay for our social medial work, print leaflets and other educational resources and develop even more creative ways to do public education.  
 
We will not stop. Please continue to stand with us.
 
The Alliance
 
P.S. You can donate through our website. Your gift to the Alliance is tax-exempt.