In Occupied Palestine
Zionism in practice
Israel’s Daily Toll on Palestinian Life, Limb, Liberty and Land
08:00 on 14 December until 08:00 on 15 December 2023
[Source of statistics: Palestinian Monitoring Group]
Restrictions of movement: Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza are under relentless and extreme control over all travel and movement.
Gaza Strip
Armed Palestinian Resistance: Palestinian Resistance continued launching dozens of missiles towards the Green Line.
Air strikes: Heavy aerial bombardment on buildings, homes and many facilities.
Victims: According OCHA:
On 15 December, heavy Israeli bombardments from air, land, and sea across Gaza continued, with the most intense airstrikes reported in Khan Yunis and Rafah, along with naval shelling off the coast of Rafah. Since 14 December, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza has not updated its casualty figures. The latest reported figures as of 14 December afternoon stood at 18,787 Palestinians killed. About 70 per cent are said to be women and children. About 50,5897 Palestinians have reportedly been injured. Many people are missing, presumably buried under the rubble, waiting for rescue or recovery.
Attacks: All over Gaza, there are air strikes, heavy gunfire, tank and artillery shelling, as well as missiles fired from Israeli forces and military occupation, especially in Khan Yunis. The Israeli Navycontinues to fire missiles, targeting facilities and buildings along the shoreline of the whole of Gaza.
Since about 17:45 and as of midnight on 14 December, communication with the Gaza Strip has been severely disrupted due to the shutdown of telecommunication and internet services in the Middle Area and southern Gaza after damage was reported to the main telecommunications fibre lines in Khan Younis. Telecommunication and internet services in North Gaza has been also impacted. This marks the fifth blackout since 7 October. As a result, this Flash Update provides limited updated information about the humanitarian situation in Gaza over the past 24 hours.
On 15 December, heavy Israeli bombardments from air, land, and sea across Gaza continued, with the most intense airstrikes reported in Khan Yunis and Rafah, along with naval shelling off the coast of Rafah. Since 14 December, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza has not updated its casualty figures. The latest reported figures as of 14 December afternoon stood at 18,787 Palestinians killed.arAbout 70 per cent are said to be women and children. About 50,5897 Palestinians have reportedly been injured. Many people are missing, presumably buried under the rubble, waiting for rescue or recovery.
Additionally, intense ground operations and fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups continued, especially in Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza. According to the Israeli military, three Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza on 15 December, bringing the total number 119 soldiers killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operations with 648 soldiers injured. The firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups into Israel has also continued, reaching Jerusalem and surrounding areas, while a fall was reported near Ramallah in the West Bank.
On 15 December, an air strike 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 air strikes or tank shells.
On 15 December, two Palestinian journalists were injured from a missile fired from a drone in Khan Younis, with one dying of his wounds after paramedics were impeded from reaching him for hours, according to media reports Expressing its alarm at the unprecedented rate of journalists and media workers killed in Gaza since 7 October, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in the occupied Palestinian territory has verified the killing of 50 journalists and media workers, and received information that 30 more may have died, amounting to approximately six per cent of all those registered with the Journalists’ Syndicate in Gaza.
Since 3 December, tens of thousands of IDPs, who have arrived in Rafah, continue to face extremely overcrowded conditions both inside and outside shelters. With an estimated fourfold increase in population density, exceeding 12,000 per square kilometre, it is now the most densely populated area within the Gaza Strip.
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).
Gaza Strip hostilities and casualties
The following are among the deadliest incidents reported between 14:00 on 14 and 15 December:
On 14 December, at about 12:00, continuous Israeli forces shelling in the centre of Khan Younis, hit several locations including Osama Bin Zaid Mosque, Al Hoob market, and Jasser building killing at least 13 Palestinians and injuring many others.
On 14 December, at about 19:20, at least five Palestinians were reportedly killed when a house in Ash Shaboura Refugee Camp, in Rafah was hit.
On 14 December, at about 11:10, an Israeli military drone reportedly killed two Palestinians in a school sheltering IDPs in Ad Darraj area, in Gaza City. According to the Ministry of Education (MoE), between7 October and 5 December, more than 3,477 students and 203 educational staff were reportedly killed, and more than 5,429 students and 507 teachers injured.
Displacement
Areas encompassing nearly 30 per cent of the Gaza Strip (excluding the orders to evacuate the areas north of Wadi Gaza) have been marked for evacuation on the Israeli military’s online map that was launched on 1 December. Access to this information is impaired by recurrent interruptions in telecommunications and the lack of electricity.
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.
Nearly 1.3 million of these IDPs are registered in 155 UNRWA facilities across Gaza, including more than 1.2 million in 98 UNRWA shelters in the Middle Area, Khan Younis and Rafah governorates.
The average number of IDPs in UNRWA shelters located in middle and southern areas is about 12,400 more than four times their capacity.
Health care, including attacks
Currently, only 11 out of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip are functional and able to admit new patients, although services are limited. Only one of these hospitals is in the north, according to WHO. The two major hospitals in southern Gaza are operating at three times their bed capacity, while facing critical shortages of basic supplies and fuel. According to the MoH in Gaza, occupancy rates are now reaching 206 per cent in inpatient departments and 250 per cent in intensive care units. Additionally, these hospitals are providing shelter to thousands of IDPs.
On 14 December, an airstrike hit the vicinity of Al Ahli Hospital in the east of Gaza City, causing large damage in the hospital facilities with no reported casualties.
West Bank
Air strikes: Nablus – dawn, a vehicle carrying carrying three people, near Amman Street, narrowly escaped being hit by two drone-launched missiles.
Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded: Ramallah – 11:05, one person was wounded in an Israeli Occupation forces‘ assault as they patrolled the village of Medea.
Israeli Army attack – 2 wounded: Ramallah – 11:50-17:30, Israeli forces, firing live ammunition, stormed into Ni’lin, wounding two people.
Israeli Army attack – 2 wounded: Ramallah – 15:30, the Israeli Army stormed the village of Deir Abu Masha’al, wounding two residents.
Israeli Army attack – 6 wounded: Jenin – 12:20–14:50, Israeli troops, storming into Silat al-Harithiya, wounded six people: Muhammad Nabil Jaradat, Ayoub Saeed Khashan, Moatasem Salman Zyoud, Ghanem Tahaina, Laith Adel Jaradat and Wassim Ahed Jaradat.
Israeli Army attack – youngster killed: Jenin – the storming of Jenin and its refugee camp has ended – but not before a 17-year-old youth, Musa Ahmed Musa Al-Khatib, was killed during home invasions. Until the Israeli Army departed, hospitals remained under siege, ambulances continued to be obstructed and there was much decimation of infrastructure.
Israeli Army attack – 2 wounded: Nablus – 17:50, the Israeli military stormed into Beita, wounding two residents: Omar Talaat Ahmed Hamayel and Yahya Murad Hamayel.
Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded: Hebron – 19:00, one person was wounded when Israeli soldiers stormed into Yatta.
Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded: Hebron – 19:50, Israeli soldiers, in the Wadi Abu Katila area and firing live ammunition in the streets, wounded a resident: Anas Al-Qawasmi.
Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded – home invasions – 2 taken prisoner: Hebron – 19:00–00:25, the Israeli Army raided Yatta and invaded a number of homes, wounding one resident and taking prisoner two others.
Israeli Army attack: Hebron – 22:10, Israeli Occupation forces fired live ammunition towards pedestrians in the Ras al-Aradad area of Sa’ir.
Home invasion: Jerusalem – 15:00, the Israeli Army raided the village of Beit Ijza and invaded a house.
Home invasion: Ramallah – 22:25, Israeli Occupation forces raided the village of Ein Yabrud and invaded a house.
Home invasions – explosives and destruction: Nablus – 17:50, Israeli troops raided the village of Urif, taking prisoner three people and destroying a house with explosives. The Army also demolished another house in the village.
Home invasion and armed robbery: Bethlehem – 02:25, the Israeli military raided the city and invaded a home, robbing the owner of the equivalent of over $US100,000.
Home invasions – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Bethlehem – dawn, Israeli forces, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, raided Nahalin and invaded a number of homes.
Israeli police and settlers’ mosque violation: Jerusalem – 08:00, settler militants, escorted by Israeli police, invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and molested worshippers.
Israeli Army destruction: Jerusalem – 15:00, Israeli Occupation forces demolished an office and shops, in the village of Sur Baher.
Israeli Army population–control – 1 taken prisoner: Tulkarem – 18:00, Israeli forces took prisoner one person, Issa Omar Mustafa Odeh, after reported, as ordered, for interrogation at Israeli Military Intelligence.
Israeli Army assault with stun grenades: Hebron – 10:50, the Israeli Army fired stun grenades at people, near the entrance to the al-Arroub refugee camp.
Israeli Army assault with stun grenades: Hebron – 16:10, Israeli troops, near the entrance to the town of Idhna, fired stun grenades and tear gas towards pedestrians.
Occupation settler plunder – agricultural sabotage: Qalqiliya – 14:30, armed Israeli settlers raided Kafr Qaddum farmland and plundered the olive harvest.
Occupation settler armed robbery: Bethlehem – armed Israeli settlers raided agricultural land, east of Tuqu’, forced a farmer off his land and robbed him of his mobile home and a solar panel.
Occupation settler land-grabs: Hebron – 10:40, Israeli settlers placed mobile homes in both the village of Umm al-Khair and the Sadda al-Thaala area, east of Yatta.
Occupation settler land-grab: Hebron – 17:30, Israeli Occupation settlers set up a number of tent–dwellings on land in an area, east of Yatta.
Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Jerusalem – 15:00, Israeli Occupation forces raided Abu Dis, taking prisoner two people.
Raid: Jerusalem – 20:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled Hizma.
Raid: Jerusalem – 02:25–03:55, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled Abu Dis.
Raid: Jerusalem – 03:25, Israeli troops raided and patrolled Biddu.
Raid: Jerusalem – 04:10, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the village of Qatana.
Raids: Ramallah – 08:50, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the villages of al-Tireh, Kharbatha, Bani Harith and Beit Sira.
Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 10:25, Israeli Occupation forces raided Kobar, taking prisoner two people.
Raid: Ramallah – 11:50, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Deir Qadis.
Raid: Ramallah – 11:50-17:30, the Israeli Army raided Bil’in.
Raid: Ramallah – 11:50-17:30, Israeli troops raided Safa and a cultural centre in the village.
Raids: Ramallah – 22:00, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Bir Zeit as well as the village of Ein Siniya.
Raid – in refugee camp: Ramallah – 00:45, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the al-Jalazoun refugee camp.
Raid: Ramallah – 02:45, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of al-Mughayir.
Raid: Ramallah – 03:00, Israeli forces raided and patrolled al-Bireh.
Raid: Ramallah – 06:05, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Rantis.
Raid: Jenin – 19:35, Israeli troops raided and patrolled Ya’bad.
Raid: Jenin – 20:40, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Araba.
Raids – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Tubas – 04:10, Israeli soldiers, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, raided and patrolled Tubas as well as the village of Tayasir.
Raids – refugee camp: Tubas – 04:20–07:50, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Tamoun, the village of al-Far’a as well as the al-Far’a refugee camp.
Raid: Tulkarem – 13:45, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the Shweika suburb.
Raid: Tulkarem – 15:00, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled Quffin.
Raid: Tulkarem – 17:30, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Shufa.
Raid: Tulkarem – 17:35, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Zeita.
Raid – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades fired: Qalqiliya – 21:00, Israeli soldiers, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, raided and patrolled Azzun.
Raids: Qalqiliya – 23:25–00:30, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Jayus and Azzun.
Raid: Nablus – 07:45-14:35, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Salem.
Raids: Nablus – 09:10, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the villages of Asira al-Qibliya and Madama.
Raid – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades fired: Nablus – 10:20-14:35, Israeli troops, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, raided Sebastia.
Raids: Nablus – 13:00-15:45, the Israeli military raided Qabalan and Aqraba, as well as the villages of Talfit and Osirin.
Raid: Nablus – 14:40-17:10, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the village of Burin.
Raid: Nablus – 17:50-20:40, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Qusra.
Raid: Nablus – 21:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled Asira.
Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Nablus – 01:20, the Israeli Army raided the village of Talfit, taking prisoner one person.
Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Nablus – 03:15, Israeli troops raided the village of al-Badhan, taking prisoner one person.
Raids: Salfit – 12:55, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the villages of Iskaka and Yasuf.
Raid: Jericho – 20:10, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the village of Fasayil.
Raid: Bethlehem – 17:05, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Harmala.
Raid: Bethlehem – 01:15–03:50, Israeli forces raided and patrolled Beit Fajjar.
Raid: Bethlehem – 02:25–03:40, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of al-Walaja.
Raid – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades fired: Bethlehem – dawn, the Israeli Army raided the Bab al-Zawiya area, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades.
Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 08:50, Israeli troops raided the village of Karma, taking prisoner one person.
Raid: Hebron – 18:00–00:25, the Israeli military raided the city and the Palestine Polytechnic University campus, photographed the Research Centre and checked ID cards.
Raid: Hebron – 22:45, Israeli soldiers raided al-Shuyukh.
Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 22:45, Israeli Occupation forces raided Sa’ir, taking prisoner one person.
Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 00:40, Israeli forces raided Dura, taking prisoner one person.
YAWN!