Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #99

On 22 January, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that Israeli forces had surrounded their ambulance headquarters in Khan Younis; restricting ambulances from providing support in the area. Reportedly, Israeli forces struck the vicinity of Al Amal hospital and the ambulance headquarters, as intense fighting continued in the area, including dozens of casualties. Patients, wounded people and an estimated 13,000 displaced people who have taken shelter in Al Amal Hospital and the PRCS headquarters were unable to leave. According to humanitarian partners on the ground, people in the vicinity and Al Kheir area east of Al Mawasi have lost access to the health facility and have no alternatives for medical assistance in the area.

Read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #99

On 22 January, hostilities further escalated in Khan Younis. A strike reportedly hit near Al Amal hospital, but the intensity of hostilities in the vicinity prevented patients, wounded people and an estimated 13,000 displaced people taking refuge in the hospital from leaving. People outside Al Amal hospital, Khan Younis. Photo by OCHA, 19 January 2024

Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #98

At a press briefing in Geneva on 19 January, upon the conclusion of her visit to Gaza, a UNICEF Communication Specialist stated: “In the 105 days of this escalation in the Gaza Strip, nearly 20,000 babies have been born into war. That’s a baby born into this horrendous war every 10 minutes. Mothers face unimaginable challenges in accessing adequate medical care, nutrition, and protection before, during and after giving birth. Becoming a mother should be a time for celebration. In Gaza, it's another child delivered into hell. Humanity cannot allow this warped version of normal to persist any longer. Mothers and newborns need a humanitarian ceasefire.” 

Read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #98

Through humanitarian support, 15 bakeries have become operational in Gaza, but none of them is in the centre or the north. The capacity of humanitarian agencies to operate safely and effectively remains compromised by the intensity of hostilities, recurrent denials of access to areas north of Wadi Gaza, and longstanding restrictions on the import of critical equipment. Photo by WHO, 6 January 2024 

Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel Flash Update #97. Jan 19

Between the afternoons of 18 and 19 January, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, 142 Palestinians were killed, and another 278 people were injured. Between 7 October 2023 and 12:00 on 19 January 2024, at least 24,762 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 62,108 Palestinians were injured, according to the MoH.  

Reporting that cases of Hepatitis A have been confirmed in Gaza through test kits supplied by his organization, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus warned that “inhumane living conditions - barely any clean water, clean toilets and possibility to keep the surroundings clean - will enable Hepatitis A to spread further ... The capacity to diagnose diseases remains extremely limited. There is no functioning laboratory. The capacity to respond remains limited too. We will continue to call for unimpeded and safe access of medical aid and for health to be protected.” 

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 18 January 2024, OCHA recorded 439 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians, resulting in Palestinian casualties (43 incidents), damage to Palestinian-owned property (341 incidents), or both casualties and damage to property (55 incidents). This reflects a daily average of four incidents since 7 October 2023 until 19 January 2024. 


read the full report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #97

“None of the children has winter clothes. Four of us are sharing a single mattress… The little one sleeps in his carrier... They are all with diarrhea… It’s cold… Hatem has a cough. Their skin is peeling…” Mena, a single mother staying with her four children, including two with disabilities, in a makeshift tent in Al Quds Open University, Gaza. Photo by UNICEF/El Baba, 11 January 2024