In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

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

08:00, 21 February until 08:00, 22 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: 97 people killed in Gaza brings the total number of deaths since 7 October to at least 29,410. With another 132 wounded, that has risen to 69,465. Fully accurate statistics are not available,due to insecurity menacing hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

OCHA Flash Update #124

Key points

Intense Israeli bombardment from air, land and sea continues to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Ground operations and heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups also continue to be reported, particularly in Gaza city, Deir al Balah and Khan Younis.

Between the afternoon of 21 February and 10:30 on 22 February, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, 97 Palestinians were killed, and 132 Palestinians were injured. Between 7 October 2023 and 10:30 on 22 February 2024, at least 29,410 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 69,465 Palestinians were injured, according to MoH in Gaza.

Between the afternoons of 21 and 22 February, no Israeli soldiers were reported killed in Gaza. As of 22 February, 235 soldiers have been killed and 1,396 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, according to the Israeli authorities, the vast majority on 7 October. As of 22 February, the Israeli authorities estimate that some 134 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza and include fatalities whose bodies are being withheld.

A new report by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health estimates the potential public health impact of the current conflict in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the deaths in excess of what would have been expected in the absence of hostilities. The report, which draws on a range of publicly available data, expert consultations, and peer-reviewed research, provides a range of projections of what could happen under three distinct scenarios and covers a six-month period from 7 February to 6 August 2024. The projections are designed to help humanitarian organizations, governments, and other actors plan their response to the crisis and take sound, evidence-based decisions. Under an immediate permanent ceasefire scenario, 6,550 excess deaths are projected, mainly due to the time needed to improve water, sanitation and shelter conditions, reduce malnutrition, and restore functioning healthcare services. Under the ‘current status quo’ and ‘escalation of the conflict’ scenarios, the projections rise sharply to 58,260 and 74,290 excess deaths, with traumatic injuries followed by infectious diseases being the main causes of additional fatalities in both cases. These figures are based on the absence of epidemics; should outbreaks of infectious disease such as cholera occur, the projections rise significantly to 11,580, 66,720 and 85,750 excess deaths, respectively. The report underscores the lasting impact of the conflict on the civilian population and emphasizes the urgent need for improved sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare services in Gaza.

Humanitarian operations continue to face immense challenges, with aid workers themselves killed, displaced, or facing mounting movement restrictions and a breakdown of civil order. On 21 February, Principals of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) emphasized that the humanitarian response “is already on its knees,” warning that “no amount of humanitarian response will make up for the months of deprivation that families in Gaza have endured.” The Principals put forth ten requirements to avoid an even worse catastrophe. These requirements include, among others, an immediate ceasefire, reliable entry points to bring in relief supplies to distribute throughout Gaza, security assurances, a reliable humanitarian notification system, and a stable communication network. The Principals also called on Israel to fulfil its legal obligation to provide food and medical supplies as well as facilitate aid operations.

On 21 February, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) General Director Meinie Nicolai condemned the strike on a house in Al Mawasi area in Khan Younis, where 64 people including MSF staff and their families were sheltering: “The amount of force being used in densely populated urban environments is staggering, and targeting a building knowing it is full of humanitarian workers and their families is unconscionable.” The attack resulted in the killing of two family members of MSF staff and the injury of six others. According to MSF, the site’s location had been notified to Israeli forces, an MSF flag was hung on the building, and no evacuation orders were issued before the strike. In response to the incident, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, stated: “Humanitarians are putting their lives on the line. Like all civilians, they must be protected.”

The provision of lifesaving services across Gaza is taking place amid intense hostilities, limitations on the entry and delivery of aid, and growing insecurity. On 20 February, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported receiving a delivery of 7,500 litres of fuel, in coordination with OCHA, to operate the generator at Al Amal Hospital, but the hospital still urgently requires food and medical supplies as well as additional fuel. Moreover, since 18 February, PCRS, OCHA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have coordinated the medical evacuation of 46 patients from Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, where 325 people, including some 140 sick and injured patients, their families, and healthcare workers, still remain. As of 22 February, Nasser hospital is struggling to operate, however minimally, with no electricity, running water, sufficient food supplies, or drinking water as well as a heavy Israeli military presence inside the hospital and heavy fighting in its vicinity. At least 12 patients still require medical evacuation and there are ongoing attempts to restore electricity. According to WHO, as of 22 February, there are 12 partially functional hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including six in northern Gaza and six in the south, in addition to three partly functional field hospitals.

Between 1 and 15 February, only two out of 21 planned fuel missions by humanitarian partners to the north of Wadi Gaza were facilitated by the Israeli authorities, allowing the delivery of 38,400 litres of fuel. During this period, all 16 planned fuel or assessment missions to water and wastewater pumping stations in the north were denied access. In contrast, 25 out of 42 fuel missions to areas to the south of Wadi Gaza that require prior coordination were facilitated by the Israeli authorities, resulting in the delivery of 457,000 litres of fuel.

Warning that the Gaza Strip is on the brink of a public health catastrophe, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and the Health Clusters emphasize that there is a crucial need for adequate WASH infrastructiure to respond to the scale of the crisis. According to the WASH and Health Clusters, the majority of people in Gaza have no access to clean drinking water and water and sanitation infrastructure lacks the fuel necessary for its effective operation. Only one in three water pipelines from Israel remains operational, but only at 47 per cent of its full capacity. Additionally, two of the three main water desalination plants are only partially functional and wastewater treatment systems are all not operational. On 19 February, the Gaza Municipality reported widespread destruction of sewage facilities in the city, including severe damage to pump stations, drainage lines and power generators, which has led to the outflow of large amounts of untreated sewage.

The following are among the deadliest incidents reported on 20 and 21 February, mainly in Deir al Balah:

On 20 February, at about 14:00, 12 Palestinians were reportedly killed, and at least five others injured, when a residential square in western An Nuseirat, in Deir al Balah, was struck.

On 20 February, at about 21:00, one Palestinian body was reportedly recovered from under the rubble of a residential building in Az Zawayda, in Deir al Balah, that was struck on 18 February, bringing the total number of fatalities from the incident to 33.

On 20 February, at about 21:00, at least 25 Palestinians were reportedly killed, and tens of others injured, when a residential building in Deir al Balah was struck.

On 20 February, at about 22:00, eight Palestinians were reportedly killed, including the Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the Islamic University of Gaza, along with seven members of his family, when several residential buildings in eastern Rafah were struck.

On 21 February, at about 7:00, nine Palestinians, including three children (siblings), were reportedly killed during an incursion in the vicinity of Khan Younis port.

On 21 February, at about 9:00, six Palestinians were reportedly killed, when a civilian vehicle in Deir al Balah was struck.

West Bank Updates

On 21 February, Israeli forces shot and killed a 15-year-old boy by live ammunition in clashes between Palestinian stone throwers and the Israeli army during a raid in Azzun village in Qalqiliya. Medical sources reported that the ambulance was allowed by Israeli forces to evacuate the boy after around 20 minutes of his injury.

Initial information indicates that on the morning of 22 February, three Palestinian men from Bethlehem perpetrated a shooting attack near Az Za’ayyem checkpoint that controls access to East Jerusalem from the east. As a result, one Israeli settler and two of the three Palestinian men were killed and six Israelis were injured, one of whom is in critical condition. According to Israeli military sources, three Palestinians stopped their vehicle at a junction close to Ma’ale Adumim settlement during a traffic jam and opened fire at Israeli vehicles. Following the incident, Israeli forces closed all checkpoints leading to Jerusalem.

Since 7 October 2023, a total of 397 Palestinians have been killed, including 101 children, and 4,530 Palestinians have been injured, including 702 children, in conflict-related incidents across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. During the same period, 13 Israelis, including four members of Israeli forces, were killed and 86 injured in conflict-related incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Israel.

On 20 February, OCHA issued a report analysing the impact of the 2023 olive harvest in the West Bank, which took place between September and November 2023. This coincided with the 7 October attack in Israel and the military offensive in Gaza, after which restrictions on movement within the West Bank were intensified and incidents of settler violence against Palestinians significantly increased. It is estimated that at least 96,000 dunums of olive-cultivated land across the West Bank remained unharvested in the 2023 season, primarily in areas in the ‘Seam Zone’ area behind the Barrier, and in the vicinity of Israeli settlements, where long-term restrictions on Palestinian access apply. The agricultural gates along the Barrier remained closed, except for the period between 24 and 30 November when a humanitarian pause was implemented in Gaza. The prior ‘coordination system’ required by Palestinians to access their land in, and in the vicinity of settlements, was cancelled for the duration of the harvest. According to the Food Security Sector, the financial cost of olive oil production losses to the Palestinian economy is estimated at US$10 million. During September-November 2023, OCHA documented 113 harvest-related cases where Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians, damaged over 2,000 trees or stole crops and harvesting equipment. Farmers are concerned that the current restrictions may impede essential upcoming agricultural activities such as ploughing, pruning and weeding.

Since 7 October 2023, 551 people, including 264 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.

On 18 February, the Israeli authorities punitively sealed off an apartment in a 13-storey building in Shu’fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem, displacing five people, including four children. The house belonged to the family of the Palestinian who was shot and killed while carrying out a shooting attack in Kiryat Malachi in Israel on 16 February, killing two Israelis. Since 7 October 2023 and as of 18 February, Israeli forces punitively demolished or sealed off 24 Palestinian-owned homes, displacing 117 Palestinians, including 51 children.

Since 7 October 2023, 830 Palestinians, including 337 children, have been displaced, following the destruction of 131 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.

In two separate incidents on 20 February, in Asira al Qibliya village in Nablus, Israeli settlers reportedly from Yitzhar settlement threw a sound grenade at an electricity pole, causing electricity outages in the village for half-an-hour, and opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle when the driver tried to avoid a flying checkpoint they had erected along with the guards of the settlement. Settlers from Yitzhar settlement also raided the village on 21 February and threw stones and incendiary materials in the yard of two houses. As a result, a man was hurt in the leg while the yard of one of the houses and two vehicles parked outside the houses sustained damage. Since 7 October 2023 and as of 21 February, OCHA has recorded 577 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians that resulted in Palestinian casualties (51 incidents), damage to Palestinian-owned property (463 incidents), or both casualties and damage to property (63 incidents).

West Bank

[Palestinian Monitoring Group]

Israeli Army attack – 2 killed – 9 wounded: Jerusalem – morning, Israeli Occupation forces, near the al-Za’im checkpoint, opened fire on three people, killing two of them: Kazem Issa Ali Zawahraand his brother, Muhammad. A third person, Ahmed Azzam Al-Wahsh, was wounded and taken prisoner. A further eight people were also wounded.

Israeli Army attack – 1 child killed – 1 other person wounded: Qalqiliya – 14:30, Israeli forces stormed Azzun and invaded home, killing a 14-year-old boy, Fadi Saeed Kamel Suleiman, and wounding one other person. Four other residents were taken prisoner.

Israeli Army attack – 2 wounded: Nablus – 04:05-05:45, the Israeli Army, firing live ammunition, stormed the Balata refugee camp and invaded two homes, wounding two people.

Death: Tubas – 11:00, Khaled Al-Shawish (aged 53) has now died in prison, after having been incarcerated since 28 May 2007.

Home invasion: Qalqiliya – 01:10–02:25, Israeli Occupation forces raided Azzun and searched a home.

Home invasion and population–control: Nablus – 10:40, Israeli forces raided Yatma, invaded a house and ordered a resident, Hisham Ahmed Sanobar, to report for interrogation at Israeli Military Intelligence.

Home invasion: Salfit – 20:20–22:00, the Israeli Army raided the village of Haris and searched a house.

Occupation settler stoning: Ramallah – 16:30, Israelis, from the Halamish settlement, stoned passing vehicles at the nearby roundabout.

Occupation settler – agricultural sabotage: Tubas – Israeli Occupation settlers grazed cattle on North Jordan Valley farmland growing wheat, barley and chickpea crops.

Occupation settler – stoning – vandalism: Nablus – 21:20, Israeli settlers invaded the village of Asira al-Qibliya, stoning homes and injuring a resident. The settlers also smashed the windows of one person’s motor vehicle.

Occupation settler – pastoral sabotage: Salfit – 10:45, Israeli settlers forced off shepherds from pastoral land, in the al-Ras area of ​​Qarawat Bani Hassan.

Occupation settler – preparation for land-grab: Salfit – 18:10, Occupation settlers prepared to install a mobile settler home in the al-Ras area of ​​Qarawat Bani Hassan.

Occupation settler – pastoral sabotage: Hebron – 13:45, Israeli settlers forced off shepherds from pastoral land in Wadi al-Jawaya.

Occupation settler – pastoral sabotage: Hebron – 19:20, Israelis, from the Susiya settlement, assaulted Palestinian shepherds.

Raid: Jerusalem – 13:30, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled al-Ram.

Raid – refugee camp: Jerusalem – 04:40, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the Qalandiya refugee camp.

Raid – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades fired: Jerusalem – 23:40, the Israeli Army fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades at residents, while raiding the village of al-Issawiya.

Raid: Ramallah – 09:50, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Rantis.

Raid: Ramallah – 18:30-21:10, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the village of Qibya.

Raid: Ramallah – 20:25-midnight, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled Silwad.

Raids: Ramallah – 02:20–05:35, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Beit Ur al-Tahta as well as the village of Kharbatha al-Misbah.

Raid: Ramallah – 02:50–06:55, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Beit Sira.

Raids: Ramallah – 03:05–05:35, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled Ramallah as well as al-Bireh.

Raids – 10 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 04:05–06:55, Israeli troops raided Beit Rima and the village of Deir Ghassaneh, taking prisoner ten people.

Raid – refugee camp – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Ramallah – 22:55, the Israeli military raided the Jalazoun refugee camp, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades.

Raids – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Ramallah – 03:05, Israeli soldiers, fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades while raiding Ramallah as well as al-Bireh.

Raids: Jenin – 08:30-13:30, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Silat al-Harithiya, al-Yamoun and the village of Ta’anak.

Raid: Jenin – 09:35-13:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the Sabah Al-Khair suburb in the city.

Raid: Jenin – 17:55–20:40, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Jalboun.

Raid: Tubas – 10:40, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Bardala.

Raids: Tulkarem – 09:05, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Kafr al-Labad as well as the village of Shufa.

Raids: Tulkarem – 10:35-14:00, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the city as well as the villages of Pharaoh and Izbit Shufa.

Raid: Tulkarem – 00:25–05:50, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the city.

Raid: Nablus – 08:40, Israeli forces raided and patrolled Salem village.

Raids: Nablus – 10:40, the Israeli Army raided Aqraba and Qabalan.

Raid: Nablus – 11:25, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Sebastia.

Raid: Nablus – 15:15, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Beita.

Raid: Nablus – 16:00, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the village of Madama.

Raid: Nablus – 21:55–23:00, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Orif.

Raid: Nablus – 22:25–05:10, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Awarta.

Raid: Nablus – 04:00-05:45, the Israeli Army raided the city.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Nablus – 04:25, Israeli troops raided the village of Deir al-Hatab, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – destruction: Salfit – 10:45-12:10, the Israeli military raided Deir Ballut and demolished an industrial facility under construction.

Raid: Salfit – 10:25, Israeli soldiers raided Qarawat Bani Hassan and invaded the offices of a business.

Raid: Salfit – 18:45–22:40, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Sarta.

Raid: Salfit – 21:15–00:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled Bidya.

Raid: Jericho – 16:50, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Fasayil.

Raids – refugee camp – 2 taken prisoner: Jericho – 02:10–04:10, Israeli troops raided Jericho as well as the Aqbat Jabir refugee camp, taking prisoner two people.

Raid: Bethlehem – 12:15-15:15, the Israeli military raided and patrolled al-Khadr.

Raid: Bethlehem – 17:30, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled Tuqu.

Raid: Hebron – 13:40, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled al-Samou.

Raid: Hebron – 18:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the city.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 02:00, the Israeli Army raided Yatta, taking prisoner two people.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner in refugee camp: Hebron – 03:20, Israeli troops raided the al-Fawar refugee camp, taking prisoner two people