Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #89

On 10 January, four members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) ambulance crew and two injured people were killed when an ambulance was struck on Salah al Din Street at the entrance of Deir al Balah, according to (PRCS). The UN Human Rights Office expressed concern that Israel forces, “have placed civilian lives at serious risk by ordering residents from various parts of Middle Gaza to relocate to Deir Al Balah – while continuing to conduct airstrikes on the city... Today, 10 January, IDF strikes reportedly hit a residential building in front of the [Al Aqsa] hospital, as well as an ambulance vehicle belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The strikes reportedly killed 13 Palestinians.” Reportedly, the severity of the strikes have led many medical staff to evacuate the hospital, despite the high need for medical care as a result of the continuing strikes.  

On 9 January, the Ministry of Culture published a report summarizing the losses sustained in the Palestinian cultural scene. As of 9 January, 41 intellectuals and artists, including four children who were already considered as artists or creators, have been killed. The report stated that 24 cultural centers were damaged or destroyed, and approximately 195 historical buildings were damaged, including 20 mosques and churches across the Strip.  

Since 11 October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been under an electricity blackout, after the Israeli authorities cut off the electricity supply and fuel reserves for Gaza’s sole power plant were depleted. The communications and fuel shutdown continues to significantly hinder the aid community’s efforts to assess the full extent of needs in Gaza and to adequately respond to the deepening humanitarian crisis. For more information on electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, please see this dashboard. 

read the entire report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #89


The UN and its humanitarian partners are delivering food, water, blankets, health supplies and more, but they require greater access throughout Gaza to help people in need wherever they are and at a meaningful scale. Photo by UNRWA  

Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #87. Jan 8

HUMANITARIAN NEEDS AND RESPONSES: 3 January to 7 January 

Health

  • Since the start of hostilities, Health Cluster partners have provided healthcare and medical services to an estimated 500,000 people.  

  • The Health Cluster estimated that about 5,000 beds are required to meet trauma and emergency needs. A total of 59 out of 77 primary health centers are not functioning leaving many without access to basic health services. 

  • Only 26 per cent of the requested medical supplies needs have been met and only 120 out of 353 formal and informal IDP shelters have access to medical points.  

  • About 350,000 people with chronic illnesses and about 485,000 people with mental health disorders continue to experience disruptions in their treatments. 

  • 1.9 million IDPs remain at high risk of communicable disease due to poor living conditions, notably overcrowding of IDP sites and lack of access to proper water sanitation and hygiene facilities. 

    Read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #87

Most people in Gaza are being pushed into an ever-smaller area. Nowhere and no one is safe. Photo by WHO

Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel Flash Update #86. Jan 7

On 7 January, staff from the World Health Organization (WHO) and OCHA visited the Al Aqsa Hospital, the only functioning hospital in the governorate of Deir al Balah in central Gaza. According to the hospital director, because of increasing hostilities and ongoing evacuation orders, most of the local health workers and about 600 patients have been forced to leave the facility to unknown locations. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) stated that their emergency medical team had been forced to cease life-saving and other critical activities at the hospital and leave the facility, as a result of increasing Israeli military activity. According to a post from the WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, his staff witnessed “sickening scenes of people of all ages being treated on blood-streaked floors and in chaotic corridors.” The hospital reported immense needs, notably health workers, medical supplies, beds and the need to be protected from strikes and hostilities. The WHO team delivered medical supplies to support 4,500 patients needing dialysis for three months and 500 patients requiring trauma care. “Al Aqsa is the most important hospital remaining in Gaza’s Middle Area and must remain functional, and protected, to deliver its lifesaving services,” Dr. Ghebreyesus stated. “Further erosion of its functionality cannot be permitted – doing so in the face of such trauma, injury and humanitarian suffering would be a moral and medical outrage.” 

read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #86

Most people in Gaza are being pushed into an ever-smaller area. Nowhere and no one is safe. Photo by WHO