In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

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

08:00, 12 February until 08:00, 13 February 2024

[Source of statistics: Palestinian Monitoring Group]

Gaza Strip

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: 133 people killed in Gaza brings the total number of deaths since 7 October to at least 28,473. With another 162 wounded, that has risen to 68,146. Fully accurate statistics are not available, due to insecurity menacing hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

OCHA Flash Update #117

Airstrikes on Rafah have heightened concerns of an escalation in the most southerly area of Gaza, which is already hosting over half of Gaza’s population. On 12 February, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned that a “potential full-fledged military incursion into Rafah – where some 1.5 million Palestinians are packed against the Egyptian border with nowhere further to flee – is terrifying, given the prospect that an extremely high number of civilians, again mostly children and women, will likely be killed and injured. There must be an immediate ceasefire. All remaining hostages must be released. And there must be renewed collective resolve to reach a political solution.”

Between the morning of 12 February and 10:30 on 13 February, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, 133 Palestinians were killed, and 162 Palestinians were injured, mostly in Rafah and Khan Younis. Between 7 October 2023 and 10:30 on 13 February 2024, at least 28,473 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 68,146 Palestinians were injured, according to MoH in Gaza.

Between the afternoons of 12 and 13 February, three Israeli soldiers were reported killed in Gaza. As of 13 February, 230 soldiers have been killed and 1,346 soldiers injured in Gaza since the beginning of the ground operation, according to the Israeli military. In addition, over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel, including 36 children, according to the Israeli authorities, the vast majority on 7 October and in the immediate aftermath. As of 13 February 2024, the Israeli authorities estimate that about 134 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, these reportedly include fatalities whose bodies are being withheld.

On 10 February, the Education Cluster published a Satellite-derived Damage Assessment of schools across the Gaza Strip to verify the extent of damage since 7 October 2023 and as of the end of January 2024. The assessment found that 162 school buildings have been directly hit, representing nearly 30 per cent of the total of 563 school buildings in Gaza. At least 26 of these buildings have been destroyed. Given that some 63 per cent of schools in Gaza operate a double shift system, with different sets of pupils attending in morning and afternoon sessions, these 162 physical school buildings accommodate a total of 235 distinct schools which, prior to 7 October, served some 1750,00 pupils and were staffed by more than 6,500 teachers. Another 151 schools have been confirmed as damaged, and 95 are likely damaged, and 41 possibly damaged. Some 25 per cent of the schools that were directly hit or damaged are operated by UNRWA, and 45 per cent of the schools in these categories have also served as shelters for IDPs. At least 55 per cent of schools in Gaza will either need full reconstruction or major rehabilitation. The satellite-derived images also provide evidence for the military use of schools.

According to the Ministry of Education, as of 6 February, more than 4,850 students and 239 educational staff have been killed and more than 8,227 students and 836 teachers have been injured in the Gaza Strip since 7 October. On 11 February, two Palestinian boys, including a 12-year-old, were reportedly killed when the Al Amal Boys School in western Khan Younis, which was being used as a shelter for IDPs, was reportedly fired upon.

On 12 February, Médecins du Monde (MdM) condemned the destruction of its offices in Gaza city a few days previously, which they describe as deliberate. No staff was inside when the building was demolished. MdM did not receive any warning about the attack, even though its offices were clearly identified as those of a humanitarian agency, and the address of the building had been shared with the Israeli authorities, their statement says. “We are once again outraged by what appears to be a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. The destruction of our offices is further proof that absolutely no place is safe in Gaza. NGO buildings are being demolished, while humanitarian aid is being demolished.”

Intense fighting in Khan Younis, particularly near Nasser and Al Amal hospitals, continues to jeopardize the safety of medical staff, the wounded and the sick as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs). On 12 February, MoH in Gaza reported that seven Palestinians have been killed and 14 injured by sniper fire in the courtyard of Nasser hospital. The hospital’s suspended ceilings also sustained damage due to nearby explosions; sewage has leaked into the emergency department, according to MoH in Gaza. Al Amal Hospital continues to contend with acute shortages of fuel and medical supplies and currently has only one functional operating room.

IDPs across Gaza continue to face deteriorating humanitarian conditions amid acute shortages of safe areas, shelters, clean water, food and medicine. As of 5 February, UNRWA estimates that some 75 per cent of Gaza’s population (1.7 million out of 2.3 million people) are displaced, the majority situated in Rafah governorate. On 10 February, the Israeli military reportedly fired on a school sheltering IDPs in Khan Younis, killing one Palestinian, according to UNRWA. The Agency estimates that at least 396 IDPs sheltering in its shelters have been killed and at least a further 1,379 injured since 7 October. On 12 February, the Al Huda Mosque in Rafah, which was sheltering IDPs, was reportedly destroyed by the Israeli Air Force, reportedly killing five Palestinians and injuring several others.

Between 1 January and 12 February, humanitarian partners planned 77 missions to deliver aid and undertake assessments to areas to the north of Wadi Gaza. Of these, 12 were facilitated by the Israeli authorities, three were partially facilitated, 14 were impeded, 39 were denied access, and nine were postponed by the requesting agencies. 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 among those overwhelmingly denied. During the same period, there were 189 planned missions to areas assessed as necessitating coordination to the south of Wadi Gaza. Of these, 107 were facilitated, two were partially facilitated, 19 were initially facilitated but then impeded, 48 were denied access, and 13 were postponed internally. Missions to areas not requiring coordination south of Wadi Gaza are not included in these statistics.

Hostilities and casualties (Gaza Strip)

The following are among the deadliest incidents reported on 12 February:

At about 6:00, 15 Palestinians, including children, were reportedly killed, and several others injured, when a residential building in southern Deir al Balah was struck.

At about 1:50, 11 Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building in the Yibna area of southern Rafah, was struck.

At about 1:55, five Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building in Tal Asl Sultan area, in western Rafah, was struck.

At about 2:00, seven Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building near Al Falah Mosque, in northern Rafah, was struck.

At about 2:00, five Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others were injured, when a residential building in Al Adis area, in north-eastern Rafah, was struck.

At about 2:00, five Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building in Ash Shouka area, in southern Rafah, was struck.

At about 2:10, seven Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building in An Nasser area, in southern Rafah, was struck.

At about 2:40, five Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building in Al Junina area, in southern Rafah, was struck.

At about 2:45, ten Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building in Bader area, in southern Rafah, was struck.

West Bank Updates

On 11 February, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man at the entrance of Battir village in Bethlehem. The Israeli military reported that the man attempted to perpetrate a stabbing attack against soldiers, while local accounts indicated that he was shot after he had been stopped by Israeli forces. According to Palestinian medical sources, the man was shot more than 20 times, and an ambulance was prevented from reaching him; after a few hours his body was then handed over.

On 13 February, according to initial information, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during a search-and-arrest operation in Qalqiliya city. Reports indicate that an exchange of fire was taking place between Palestinians and Israeli forces about half an hour before the man was shot while driving home.

Since 7 October 2023, 388 Palestinians have been killed, including 99 children, and 4,475 Palestinians, including 686 children, injured in conflict-related incidents across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. During the same period, 10 Israelis, including four members of security forces, were killed and 73 injured in conflict-related incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.

Since 7 October 2023, OCHA has recorded 527 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians, resulting in Palestinian casualties (50 incidents), damage to Palestinian-owned property (418 incidents), or both casualties and damage to property (59 incidents). According to initial information, on 12 February, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara and Asira al Qibliya, both in Nablus governorate, and threw incendiary materials at Palestinian residences and parked vehicles. Clashes between Palestinians and settlers, who were accompanied by Israeli forces, were reported. Two Palestinians sustained live ammunition injuries, and residential houses and vehicles sustained moderate to severe damage.

On 10 February, a Palestinian family was forced to demolish their house in the At Tur neighbourhood of East Jerusalem due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permit. Consequently, five people, including three children, were displaced. Since 7 October 2023, 513 people, including 251 children, have been displaced in Area C and East Jerusalem after their homes were demolished due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain.

West Bank

[Palestinian Monitoring Group]

Israeli Army attack on refugee camp – destruction and economic sabotage: Jenin – 23:35, Israeli Occupation forces, firing live ammunition, stormed the Jenin refugee camp, bulldozing roads, infrastructure and motor vehicles.

Israeli Army attack – besieged home struck with anti-tank missiles: Jenin – dawn, Israeli forces stormed the village of Sir, firing anti-tank shells into a besieged home and taking prisoner five residents.

Israeli Army attack on homes – 1 resident killed – 7 taken prisoner: Qalqiliya – 01:25–06:45, the Israeli Army, firing live ammunition, stormed the city, raiding homes, killing a resident,Muhammad Sharif Hassan Salmi, and taking prisoner seven others.

Israeli Army gunfire in support of settler arsonists – 2 residents wounded: Nablus – 19:40, Israeli Occupation forces, firing live ammunition, stormed the village of Asira al-Qibliya, to support raiding settlers who had set fire to a home and a motor vehicle. The intervention left a 16-year-old youth, Muhammad Samir Asira, as well as one other person, Mahmoud Ahmed Issa Saleh, wounded.

Home invasion – armed robbery and abduction: Ramallah – 02:00, Israeli Occupation forces raided Silwad, invaded a home and plundered it, seizing cash amounting to the equivalent of around$US1500. A 17-year-old youth, Abdullah Khader Abbas, was abducted during the raid and one other person was taken prisoner.

Home invasion: Ramallah – dawn, Israeli forces raided Beit Rima and searched a house.

Home invasions: Nablus – 03:15, the Israeli Army raided the city and invaded a number of homes.

Home invasion: Nablus – 03:40, Israeli troops raided Jama’in and searched a house.

Home invasion and demolition: Bethlehem – dawn, the Israeli military demolished a house, in the village of al-Walaja.

Home invasion: Hebron – 21:10, Israeli soldiers raided Yatta and searched a home.

Home invasions: Hebron – 01:35, Israeli Occupation forces raided Beit Ummar, invading homes and shops.

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 assault with rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Jerusalem – 20:10, Israeli Occupation forces, in the village of al-Isawiya, fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades towards residents.

Israeli Army assault on funeral, with rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Jerusalem – evening, Israeli forces fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades towards members of a funeral-gathering near Biddu.

Israeli Army assault with rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Bethlehem – 21:00, the Israeli Army fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades towards people, in the Jebel al-Samen area of al-Khadr.

Israeli Army destruction: Bethlehem – dawn, Israeli troops destroyed property, in the village of al-Walaja.

Occupation settler violence – agricultural sabotage: Nablus – 15:10, Israeli Occupation settlers invaded Madama village farmland and assaulted a farmer.

Occupation settler arson and violence: Nablus – 22:45, Israeli Occupation settlers raided Huwara, stoning homes and shops and setting fire to a truck.

Occupation settler arson: Nablus – Israeli Occupation settlers invaded al-Sawiya village farmland and set fire to a motor vehicle.

Occupation settler violence – beating up: Bethlehem – Israeli Occupation settlers raided a mobile family home and beat up a woman.

Occupation settler vandalism – agricultural sabotage: Hebron – evening, Israeli Occupation settlers raided Susya village, demolishing two barns, a sheep-rearing shelter and retaining walls. The settlers also cut off branches from ten grapevines.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Jerusalem – dawn, Israeli Occupation forces raided the village of Beit Iksa, taking prisoner two people.

Raid: Ramallah – 09:15-13:30, Israeli forces raided the village of Ein Yabroud.

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

Raid – destruction – economic sabotage: Jenin – 23:35, Israeli troops raided the Jenin refugee camp, bulldozing roads, infrastructure and a number of motor vehicles.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Jenin – 03:25, the Israeli military raided the village of Kafr Dan, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Jenin – dawn, Israeli soldiers raided al-Yamoun, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Tubas – 13:25, Israeli Occupation forces raided the village of al-Hadidiya, taking prisoner one person.

Raid: Qalqiliya – 09:05-11:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Hajjah.

Raid: Nablus – 21:55, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled Qusra.

Raid: Salfit – 22:55, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Haris.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Salfit – 04:55, the Israeli military raided the city, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Bethlehem – 03:20, Israeli soldiers raided the village of Husan, taking prisoner two people.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Bethlehem – 05:00, Israeli Occupation forces raided the village of Kisan, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 03:10, Israeli forces raided the town of Tafuh, taking prisoner one person.