In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

Israel’s Daily Toll on Palestinian Life, Limb, Liberty and Land

08:00, on 01 February until 08:00, 02 February 2024

[Source of statistics: Palestinian Monitoring Group]

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.

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.

Victims: 112 people killed in Gaza brings the total number of deaths since 7 October to at least 27,131. With another 148 wounded, that has risen to 66,287. Fully accurate statistics are not available, due to insecurity menacing hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

OCHA Flash Update #109

Almost all children in Gaza now require mental health and psychosocial support, twice as many compared with pre-war estimates. At least 17,000 children are unaccompanied or separated from their parents.

Some 75 per cent of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people, more than half of whom are children, are displaced according to UNRWA’s estimates. They face acute shortages of food, water, shelter and medicine. Intense fighting around Khan Younis continues to drive thousands of people into the southern town of Rafah, which is already hosting over half of Gaza’s population. Most are living in makeshift structures, tents, or out in the open, according to UNRWA. Expressing deep concern about the prospects facing internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Rafah, OCHA Spokesperson Jens Laerke stated: “Rafah is now a pressure cooker of despair and we fear for what happens next.”

Twice as many children now require mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the Gaza Strip, compared with pre-war estimates. UNICEF estimates that almost all of Gaza’s 1.2 million children are in need of MHPSS. Moreover, according to UNICEF, “at least 17,000 children in Gaza are unaccompanied or separated” from their parents and “due to the sheer lack of food, water and shelter, extended families are distressed and face challenges to immediately take care of another child as they themselves are struggling to cater for their own children and family.”

Health care in Gaza remains extremely precarious, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As of 30 January, only 13 out of 36 hospitals (36 per cent) in Gaza are functional, but only partially; seven in the north and six in the south. Moreover, only 17 per cent of primary healthcare centres remain functional, according to WHO. These include four UNRWA health centres out of 22 that were operational prior to the onset of hostilities. On 2 February, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that the PRCS Director of the Youth and Volunteers Department was killed by gunfire at its headquarters in Khan Younis. On the same day, according to PRCS, the fate of two staff members in the ambulance team that had been dispatched on 29 January to rescue a six-year-old girl in Gaza city remained unknown.

Heavy fighting near Nasser and Al Amal hospitals in Khan Younis continued on 2 February, jeopardizing the safety of medical staff, the wounded and the sick, as well as thousands of IDPs seeking refuge at the hospitals. On 1 February, PRCS reported that they had buried five people in Al-Amal hospital’s courtyard, as they were unable to move to the cemetery amid continued fighting and bombardment nearby. On 29 and 30 January, WHO reported that, despite challenges, the organization and its partners successfully delivered essential medical supplies for 1,000 patients to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis amid intensive military operations, and UNRWA delivered 24,050 litres of fuel. However, according to WHO, “efforts to provide food were delayed at a military checkpoint,” resulting in civilians taking the food from the trucks before it could reach the hospital.

The following are among the deadliest incidents reported between 31 January and 2 February:

On 31 January, at about 15:10, several Palestinians were reportedly killed, and others were injured, when a residential building in eastern Jabalya city was struck.

On 31 January, at about 17:00, three Palestinians were reportedly killed, when a group in An Nuseirat, Deir al Balah governorate, was reportedly shot at in a drone strike.

On 31 January, at about 12:30, five Palestinians were reportedly killed, as a group of people was struck in western Khan Younis city.

On 31 January, at about 15:50, four Palestinians, including a child, were reportedly killed, and others were injured, when a car and cart were struck in an area between Khan Younis and Rafah.

On 31 January, at about 18:55, four Palestinians, including a woman and her son and daughter, were reportedly killed when a residential building west of Rafah crossing was struck.

On 1 February, at about 18:15, at least four Palestinians were killed and several others were injured when a house in An Nasser neighbourhood in eastern Rafah was reportedly hit.

Displacement (Gaza Strip)

As of 31 January, according to UNRWA, there are an estimated 1.7 million IDPs in the Gaza Strip and 150-155 UNRWA installations that continue to shelter IDPs.

On 31 January, six IDPs were injured at a school in Khan Younis where they were sheltering, according to UNRWA. On 31 January, two incidents took place where IDPs sheltering in the Gaza Training Centre and UNRWA office, in Gaza city, were killed as a result of drone fire. Overall, as of 31 January, UNRWA reported that at least 278 incidents have impacted its facilities sheltering displaced families. As a result, at least 376 IDPs taking refuge in UNRWA shelters have been killed and 1,365 injured since 7 October, the Agency reports.

Humanitarian Access (Gaza Strip)

In January, ten of the 61 humanitarian aid missions planned for the north of Wadi Gaza (16 per cent) were facilitated by the Israeli authorities, two (3 per cent) were partially facilitated, 34 missions (56 per cent) were denied access, and six (10 per cent) were postponed by aid organizations due to internal operational constraints. In an emerging pattern, the access of an additional nine missions (15 per cent) was initially facilitated, but subsequently impeded as routes designated by the Israeli military proved to be unpassable, or due to the imposition of excessive delays prior to the departure of the missions or at checkpoints en route. Facilitated missions primarily involved food distribution, while the access of missions to support critical hospitals and facilities providing water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) services remained largely denied.

According to WHO, 1,243 medical cases including wounded people and those suffering from pre-existing medical conditions, along with 1,025 companions, were evacuated from Gaza via Rafah as of 30 January; these include people who are receiving treatment in Egypt as well as those evacuated to other countries.

Violence and casualties (West Bank)

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, 372 Palestinians have been killed, including 94 children, in conflict-related incidents across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Additionally, two Palestinians from the West Bank were killed while carrying out an attack in Israel on 30 November. Of these 372 fatalities, 360 were killed by Israeli forces, eight by Israeli settlers and two by either Israeli forces or settlers. The other two Palestinians, including a woman holding Israeli citizenship, were killed in an attack by Palestinians on 7 January 2024, reportedly in the belief they were settlers. So far as of 2 February 2024, 63 Palestinians, including at least 13 children, have been killed, the majority by Israeli forces. The Palestinian death toll in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2023 (507) marks the highest number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank since OCHA started recording casualties in 2005.

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, ten Israelis have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel. These include five Israelis, including four members of Israeli forces, killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem; four Israelis killed by Palestinians from the West Bank in Israel, and one Israeli killed by Israeli forces who misidentified him during a Palestinian-perpetrated attack in West Jerusalem. The number of Israelis killed in the West Bank and Israel in 2023 (36) in attacks perpetrated by Palestinians from the West Bank was the highest since OCHA started recording casualties in 2005.

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, 4,391 Palestinians, including 661 children, have been injured in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Of them, 4,254 have been injured by Israeli forces, 116 by settlers and 21 by either Israeli forces or settlers. Of the total injuries, 54 per cent were reported in the context of search-and-arrest and other operations, 34 per cent in demonstrations and 8 per cent during settler attacks against Palestinians. Some 33 per cent of those injuries have been caused by live ammunition, compared with 9 per cent in the first nine months of 2023.

Settler Violence

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, OCHA has recorded 495 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians, resulting in Palestinian casualties (49 incidents), damage to Palestinian-owned property (389 incidents), or both casualties and damage to property (57 incidents). In 2023, 1,264 attacks carried out by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (with or without Israeli forces), resulted in Palestinian casualties, property damage or both. Some 945 of these incidents resulted in damage, 165 resulted in casualties and 154 resulted in both. This is the highest number of settler attacks against Palestinians in any given year since OCHA started recording incidents involving settlers in 2006. On 1 February, Israeli settlers, reportedly from Shavei Shomron settlement, vandalized about 450 trees and saplings that include mostly olive, apricot and almond trees belonging to Palestinians from the nearby Deir Sharaf village (Nablus). On 2 February, Israeli settlers, reportedly from Eli settlement, vandalized a car in front of a house in As Sawiya village (Nablus).

Displacement (West Bank)

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, at least 198 Palestinian households comprising 1,208 people, including 586 children, have been displaced amid settler violence and access restrictions. The displaced households are from at least 15 herding/Bedouin communities. More than half of the displacement occurred on 12, 15, and 28 October, affecting seven communities. The displacement toll since 7 October 2023, represents 78 per cent of all displacement reported due to settler violence and access restrictions since 1 January 2023 (1,539 people, including 756 children).

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, 503 Palestinians, including 248 children, have been displaced following the demolition of their homes in Area C and East Jerusalem due to lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain. Overall, in 2023, 892 structures were demolished, sealed off and/or confiscated due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits in Area C and East Jerusalem, resulting in the displacement of 1,148 Palestinians, including 575 children. Some 39 per cent of people displaced occurred between October and December 2023.

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, Israeli forces punitively demolished 22 Palestinian-owned homes, displacing 105 Palestinians, including 45 children. The numbers exceed those reported in the first nine months of 2023, during which 16 homes were punitively demolished and 78 people displaced in that context.

Since 7 October 2023 and as of 2 February 2024, 756 Palestinians, including 313 children, have been displaced, following the destruction of 119 homes during operations carried out by Israeli forces across the West Bank. About 95 per cent of the displacement was reported in the refugee camps of Jenin, Nur Shams and Tulkarm. This represents 83 per cent of all displacement reported due to the destruction of homes during Israeli military operations since January 2023 (908 people).

Protection Needs

Unaccompanied and separated children require urgent protection, including family tracing and provision of shelter, winter clothing, blankets, water, and food.

Protection partners report having observed increased risk-taking behaviour during a food distribution in Gaza city, with displaced people hasting towards aid trucks, amid attacks.

Released detainees urgently need winter clothes and shoes, and tents, in addition to cash assistance. Released detainees asked for assistance in retrieving their personal belongings, that were confiscated while detained by the Israeli military.

Reports indicated that pregnant women have been unable to reach health facilities or call ambulances to be transferred to health facilities, and thus have been forced to give birth in UNRWA shelters, which are not equipped with the necessary medical and sanitation facilities to ensure safe births. Protection focal points have provided hygiene and dignity kits, amid scarcity of kits; however, women’s specific needs after childbirth remain unmet.

West Bank

[Palestinian Monitoring Group]

Israeli Army attack – home invasions – 4 taken prisoner: Jenin – 02:55, Israeli Occupation forces, firing live ammunition, stormed Jenin and searched a number of homes, taking prisoner four residents.

Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded: Tulkarem – 18:40–01:40, Israeli forces stormed Kafr al-Labad, wounding one man: Firas Khaled Abu Irshaid.

Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded and taken prisoner: Hebron – 13:30, the Israeli Army raided the the al-Jabari neighbourhood, opening fire on a vehicle and wounding the driver, Shaaban Walid Fadl Al-Jaabari, who then was taken prisoner.

Home invasions – 1 taken prisoner: Qalqiliya – 23:35–02:35, Israeli Occupation forces raided Azun and invaded two homes, taking prisoner one resident.

Home invasion: Nablus – 08:10–13:45, Israeli Occupation forces raided Nablus and searched a home.

Home invasion in refugee camp: Jericho – 03:00-04:25, Israeli forces, firing stun grenades, stormed the Ein Sultan refugee camp and searched a house.

Home invasion: Hebron – 22:50–06:35, the Israeli Army raided the city and searched a home.

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 armed robbery: Salfit – 12:45, Israeli Occupation forces seized a passenger bus, at the entrance to Kifl Haris.

Israeli Army armed robbery: Jericho – 14:50, Israeli forces, at the Hamra checkpoint, seized a vehicle from a man, Obaida Muhammad Hassan Daraghmeh, and then took him prisoner.

Occupation settler attempted arson: Nablus – 01:30, Israeli settlers raided the outskirts of al-Sawiya village and attempted to set fire to a motor vehicle. A number of villagers present were able to defend the property and force the settlers away.

Occupation settler stoning: Salfit – 11:50–14:20, Occupation settlers invaded Bidya and stoned passing vehicles.

Occupation settler agricultural sabotage: Bethlehem – Israeli settlers raided farmland, east of Battir village, bulldozed crops and uprooted 300 grapevines.

Raid: Jerusalem – 21:30–23:30, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Hizma.

Raid: Jerusalem – 02:45, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of al-Jib.

Raids: Ramallah – 08:45-12:25, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled Beit Ur al-Tahta as well as the villages of Qibya and Beit Ur al-Fawqa.

Raid: Ramallah – 09:00-10:20, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Shuqba.

Raids: Ramallah – 09:05-13:10, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Beit Liqiya as well as the villages of al-Tireh, Kharbatha al-Misbah and Beit Sira.

Raid: Ramallah – 13:10-16:35, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled Ni’lin.

Raid: Ramallah – 15:10, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Beitin.

Raid: Ramallah – 15:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Deir Qadis.

Raid: Ramallah – 01:50, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya.

Raid: Jenin – 11:10-14:30, Israeli troops raided and patrolled Silat al-Dahr.

Raid: Jenin – 20:10–02:05, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Araba.

Raid: Jenin – 20:35, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled Kafr Rai.

Raid: Tubas – 03:15–05:50, Israeli Occupation forces raided Tamoun.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Tubas – 03:15–05:50, Israeli forces raided al-Far’a, taking prisoner one person.

Raid: Tulkarem – 14:20-18:05, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Nazlet Issa.

Raid: Qalqiliya – 12:00-14:30, Israeli troops raided and patrolled Hablat.

Raid: Qalqiliya – 22:00, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Hajjah village.

Raid – 12 taken prisoner: Qalqiliya – 02:35, Israeli soldiers raided the village of Baqat al-Hatab, taking prisoner twelve people.

Raid: Nablus – 11:15-14:20, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Bizzaria.

Raid: Nablus – 16:35-17:35, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Qusin.

Raids: Nablus – 19:05-21:40, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled Qabalan as well as the villages of Yatma and Talfit.

Raid: Nablus – 20:55–22:00, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Einabus.

Raids: Nablus – 03:00–05:05, the Israeli military raided, as well as patrolling, the villages of al-Nasariya and al-Badhan.

Raid: Salfit – 10:30-13:15, Israeli soldiers forces raided and patrolled Salfit.

Raids: Salfit – 01:30, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the villages of Yasuf and Iskaka.

Raid – stun grenades fired in refugee camp: Jericho – 17:35, the Israeli Army, firing stun grenades, raided and patrolled the Ein Sultan refugee camp.

Raid – 9 taken prisoner – pastoral sabotage: Bethlehem – 11:10-20:40, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Husan, taking prisoner nine people as well as issuing destruction orders on two livestock shelters.

Raids: Bethlehem – 19:05–23:50, the Israeli military raided and patrolled al-Khadr as well as the village of Harmala.

Raid – stun grenades: Bethlehem – 23:45–01:25, Israeli soldiers, firing stun grenades, raided and patrolled Beit Fajjar.

Raid: Hebron – 15:20, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Halhul.

Raid: Hebron – 17:25, Israeli forces raided and patrolled Yatta.

Raid – 3 taken prisoner: Hebron – 22:45-06:35, the Israeli Army raided Dura, taking prisoner three people.