In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

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

08:00, 21 April until 08:00, 22 April 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: 54 people killed in Gaza brings the total number of deaths since 7 October to at least 34,151. With another 104 wounded, that figure has risen to 77,084.

OCHA Flash Update #156:

Key Highlights

There is a “palpable aura of fear” among displaced people in Rafah, states UNRWA, as airstrikes heighten concerns of a military escalation.

Only three hospitals are currently providing maternal care across Gaza while an estimated 180 women are giving birth every day, UNFPA reports.

About 12,340 tons of cooking gas, or an average of 82 tons per day, have entered Gaza since November, according to UNRWA; this is 68 per cent less than the daily average in the first nine months of 2023.

Four bakeries have resumed operations in northern Gaza, but this is still a “drop in the bucket,” warns WFP.

Gaza Strip Updates

Israeli bombardment from the air, land, and sea continues to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure. Airstrikes on Rafah, Deir al Balah, and Gaza city have reportedly been especially intense, with continued reports of fighting between the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups in northern Gaza.

Between the afternoons of 19 April and 22 April, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, 139 Palestinians were killed and 251 injured, including 54 killed and 104 injured in the last 24 hours. Between 7 October 2023 and 12:30 on 22 April 2024, at least 34,151 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 77,084 Palestinians were injured, according to MoH in Gaza.

The following are among the deadliest incidents between 18 and 20 April:

On 18 April at about 13:55, three Palestinians were reportedly killed and others injured when a group of people were hit in eastern Jabalya Refugee Camp in northern Gaza.

On 18 April at about 18:15, at least three Palestinians were reportedly killed and others injured when a residential building was hit in Ash Sheikh Radwan area in Gaza city. Others are reported to be missing under rubble.

On 18 April at about 21:00, four Palestinians were reportedly killed and three injured when a residential building was hit in Ash Shati’ (Beach) Refugee Camp in western Gaza city.

On 19 April, at about 22:20 hours, nine Palestinians, including six children and two women, were reportedly killed when a residential apartment near Al Quds University building in Tal As Sultan area, west of Rafah, was hit.

On 20 April at about 22:30, four Palestinians, including a girl and a pregnant woman, were reportedly killed when a house was hit near An Najma Square in Ash Shabora Refugee Camp in Rafah.

On 20 April at about 23:20, at least 16 Palestinians, including 13 children and three women, were reportedly killed when a house was hit in At Tanour area in eastern Rafah.

On 20 April at about 17:35, two Palestinians were reportedly killed, and ten others injured, when a location was hit in Al Mawassi area sheltering internally displaced persons (IDPs) in western Khan Younis.

Between the afternoons of 19 and 22 April, no Israeli soldiers were reported killed in Gaza. As of 22 April, 259 soldiers have been killed and 1,583 soldiers have been injured in Gaza since the beginning of the ground operation, according to the Israeli military. In addition, over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 33 children, have been killed in Israel, the vast majority on 7 October. As of 22 April, Israeli authorities estimate that 133 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, including fatalities whose bodies are withheld.

Airstrikes on Rafah have heightened concerns of an escalation in this southernmost area of Gaza, which is already hosting over half of Gaza’s population, many of whom have been displaced multiple times and are living in desperate conditions. On 21 April, the Deputy Humanitarian Co–ordinator and Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, Scott Anderson, reported that there was a “palpable aura of fear” among displaced people in Rafah about the prospect of a ground operation and stressed the importance of allowing civilians to relocate in search of a safer place if an operation takes place. Anderson also underscored that combatting the spread of disease is as much a priority as delivering food assistance at this time, as the sanitation crisis has been exacerbated by the absence of mechanisms to collect thousands of pounds of accumulated waste, the lack of insecticides to control vectors, and rising temperatures. Moreover, on 22 April, the MoH in Gaza stressed that a ground operation into Rafah would effectively destroy what remains of the health system in Gaza, further depriving people of health services.

An estimated 180 women are giving birth every day in Gaza in “inhumane, unimaginable conditions,” stated the UNFPA representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, Dominic Allen, in a press briefing on 19 April, following a ten-day mission to Gaza between 8 and 17 April. Only three of the 11 hospitals that are still partially functioning across Gaza provide maternal care: As Sahaba in northern Gaza, Al Awda in Deir al Balah, and Al Emirati in Rafah. As part of an inter-agency mission to Khan Younis, Allen described seeing cables of ultrasound machines cut and screens of complex medical equipment smashed at Nasser Hospital. Allen added that no medical equipment was functional at Al Khair hospital and there was an “eerie sense of death” in the birthing rooms. In Deir al Balah, Al Aqsa Hospital is so overwhelmed with trauma patients that it no longer provides maternity care. In Rafah, where Al Emirati Hospital represents a lifeline for pregnant women despite facing major capacity gaps, supporting 50-60 births per day including 10-12 caesarean sections, there is deep fear gripping the population that this last haven would be destroyed in the event of a military ground incursion, stressed Allen. To enhance overall capacity, UNFPA is delivering mobile maternity units and emergency obstetric care units to two of the six field hospitals operational in Gaza. UNRWA, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) and UNFPA have also deployed midwives to three UNRWA shelters to mitigate shortages in pre- and post-natal care, with efforts ongoing to scale-up this project. However, among wider access constraints and challenges in bringing necessary maternal health supplies and equipment into Gaza, Allen reported an instance when torches were removed from midwifery kits and another when the oxygen machine was removed from a prefabricated maternity unit during inspection at Kerem Shalom Crossing. In his briefing, the UNFPA official also underscored the heightened risk of gender-based violence (GBV), including child marriage, faced by women and girls in Gaza, and the efforts made by UNFPA and partners to re-establish support services for GBV survivors that have been largely destroyed by over six months of hostilities. Urging a massive increase in the influx of aid entering Gaza, Allen echoed the UN Secretary-General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire as the only solution to this ongoing catastrophe.

Food production across Gaza continues to be severely impeded by dire shortages of fuel, including cooking gas. According to UNRWA, between 24 November 2023, when Israel first permitted the entry of Egyptian-imported cooking gas into Gaza, and 21 April 2024, about 12,340 tons of cooking .gas was allowed into Gaza. This is an average of about 82 tons per day, which falls short of requirements and is 68 per cent less than the daily average between January and September 2023 (260 tons). According to the Government Media Office (GMO) in Gaza, the impact of fuel and cooking gas shortages is particularly severe in northern Gaza, where families have been forced to rely on expensive and unsafe alternatives, such as firewood, charcoal, plastic and chemicals. The resultant emission of toxic gases has resulted in the spread of respiratory diseases, according to GMO. Longstanding constraints on the entry of fuel have also affected food production facilities, including restaurants and bakeries, limiting people’s access to nutritious meals and exacerbating food insecurity. This month, the World Food Programme (WFP) supplied fuel and wheat flour to bakeries in northern Gaza, enabling four bakeries to resume operations after being inactive for more than 170 days. WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized the significance of this effort, stating: “In northern Gaza, this is what humanitarian access looks like: fuel, flour and now bread for families who haven’t had it in months. An important step, but a drop in the bucket. WFP and our partners need accelerated access into and across Gaza to prevent the possibility of famine.”

According to the Cash Working Group, the very limited entry of commercial supplies into Gaza and the complete disruption of the private sector supply chain have resulted in a near total disappearance of the formal market and high price volatility, with significant fluctuations in key commodity prices reported since 7 October. On 14 April, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) reported that the Consumer Price Index had climbed by 165 per cent since the onset of the conflict, with an increase of over 25 per cent only between February and March 2024, and purchasing power has plummeted by 62 per cent. Informal markets have thus become a primary source for accessing essential goods, including food and water, and meeting basic household needs. In addition, displacement and loss of infrastructure has reduced the number of financial agents available for people to receive cash assistance, especially in northern Gaza. There is also a liquidity shortage, mainly in southern Gaza, driven by the inability of banks to move cash between branches. Despite these challenges, up to 72 per cent of people who have received Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) have been able to draw these resources. As of 22 April, one round of emergency MPCA has been delivered to about 124,630 households and over 27,780 households have received a second round. A top-up has also been delivered to 34,000 people, including persons with disabilities and nursing mothers. According to post-distribution monitoring (PDM) data, most respondents reported a preference for cash in all assessed locations, cash assistance has helped them to meet some, or all, of the basic households needs, and most of the MPCA was reportedly spent on food, followed by medicine and drinking water.

West Bank

Between 18 and 20 April, Israeli forces killed 14 Palestinians during a 50-hour operation in Nur Shams Refugee Camp and its surrounding area. During the operation, exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and armed Palestinians were reported, along with the sound of explosions. Initial reports indicate severe damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential homes, commercial stores, roads, electricity infrastructure, and water, sewage and telecommunication networks. Further technical assessments are planned.

On 20 April, a 50-year-old Palestinian ambulance driver was shot and killed by either Israeli settlers or Israeli forces while evacuating two Palestinians injured during an attack by Israeli settlers in As Sawiya village in Nablus governorate. About 50 settlers believed to be from Eli settlement had raided the village, shooting and throwing stones while Palestinian residents gathered and threw stones at the settlers. Israeli forces also raided the village and opened fire. In a statement on 21 April, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said it was appalled by the killing, noting that since the onset of hostilities, “eighteen staff members and volunteers of the PRCS [the Palestinian Red Crescent Society] have been killed in Gaza and now the West Bank and four from Magen David Adom in Israel.”

A full weekly update on the West Bank will be published on 24 April.

West Bank

[Palestinian Monitoring Group]

Armed Israeli settler attacks on villagers’ homes – 6 wounded – arson and pastoral sabotage: Ramallah – 22:15, armed Israeli Occupation settlers stormed the village of Burqa, opening fire on homes and wounding six people. The settlers also set fire to a sheep–shelter. Three of those wounded are: Malik Ramadan Maatan, Fahim Yasser Ghanayem and Ali Nizam Maatan.

Israeli Army attacks on refugee camp – 1 wounded: Nablus – 02:15, Israeli forces, firing live ammunition while storming the Balata refugee camp, wounded a resident: Marzouq Abdel Fattah Kamel Kalbouneh.

Israeli Army attack – woman shot dead: Jericho – 15:50, Israeli Occupation forces, at the Hamra checkpoint, opened fire on and killed a woman, Labiba Fazza Sidqi Ghannam, accusing her of attempting to knife a soldier.

Israeli Army attack – 2 youngsters killed: Hebron – 07:25, at the Beit Einoun road junction, the Israeli Army opened fire on, and killed, two young men: Musa Mahmoud Musa Jabareen (aged 18)and Mahmoud Musa Hammad Jabareen (aged 19).

Home invasion – resident beaten–up: Bethlehem – 04:55, Israeli soldiers raided Za’tara, invaded a home and beat–up a resident: Amjad Daoud Abu Eida.

Israeli Army assault with rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Jerusalem – 10:30, Israeli Occupation forces fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades at people, in al-Eizariya.

Israeli Army assault with rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades: Jerusalem – 01:00, Israeli forces, at the Shuafat checkpoint, fired rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, wounding a pedestrian.

Israeli police and settlers’ mosque violation: Jerusalem – 08:00, settler militants, escorted by Israeli police, invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and molested worshippers.

Occupation settler arson and agricultural sabotage: Jenin – 11:05, Israeli Occupation settlers stormed Jalboun village and set fire to a greenhouse as well as a motor vehicle.

Occupation settler stoning and population–control: Tubas – evening, Israeli settlers invaded the Ein al-Hilweh community in the North Jordan Valley, closed the Maleh road junction and stonedpassing vehicles.

Raid: Jerusalem – 19:50–21:55, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Beit Ijza.

Raid: Jerusalem – 22:25–23:45, Israeli forces raided and patrolled al-Eizarya.

Raid – abductions: Ramallah – 14:20, the Israeli Army raided al-Bireh and abducted two 16-year-old youths: Salah Shafi’ Salah and Uday Labib. Two other people, Amir Dahadha and Ahmed Hashash, were taken prisoner.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 18:30, Israeli troops raided the village of Jaffna, taking prisoner one person.

Raid: Jenin – 09:10, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Jalboun.

Raid: Jenin – 13:35, Israeli troops raided and patrolled Ya’bad.

Raid: Jenin – 22:40, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the village of Anin.

Raid – 4 taken prisoner: Jenin – dawn, Israeli soldiers raided Maythaloun, taking prisoner four people.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades fired : Tubas – 06:40-07:55, Israeli Occupation forces, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, raided the city, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – abductions: Tulkarem – 16:35, Israeli forces raided the village of Izbit Shufa and abducted two 16-year-old youths: Tamer Yasser Mahmoud Hamed and Amir Tayseer Mahmoud Hamed.

Raid: Tulkarem – 16:50, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Pharaoh.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Qalqiliya – 03:45–05:15, Israeli troops raided the city, taking prisoner two people.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Nablus – dawn, the Israeli military raided Jama’in, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Nablus – 02:15–05:05, Israeli soldiers raided the Balata refugee camp, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Nablus – 02:20, Israeli Occupation forces raided Duma village, taking prisoner one person.

Raid: Salfit – 14:30, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the village of Haris.

Raid: Salfit – 19:00, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Iskaka.

Raid: Bethlehem – 21:00, Israeli troops raided Janata.

Raid: Bethlehem – 23:05, the Israeli military raided the village of Husan.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Bethlehem – 06:15, Israeli soldiers raided the city, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – stun grenades: Bethlehem – 21:00, Israeli Occupation forces firing stun grenades, raided Janata.

Raid – stun grenades: Bethlehem – 23:05, Israeli forces, firing stun grenades and tear gas, raided Husan village.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Hebron – 11:15, the Israeli Army raided Yatta, taking prisoner a man and a woman.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner – stun grenades: Hebron – 01:15–02:50, Israeli troops, firing stun grenades raided Beit Ummar, taking prisoner two people.