Military and Diplomatic Highlights:
· The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) between January 15-16 reported the following activities in the Gaza Strip:
o In Beit Lahia, 100 rocket installations and 60 rockets were located and destroyed.
o Terrorist fighters were killed in Northern Gaza, Northern Shati and Khan Yunis.
o Two weapons storage facilities were destroyed.
· On January 14th, Hezbollah launched several anti-tank missiles from Southern Lebanon into Israel. Several Hezbollah sites were attacked and destroyed by the IDF.
· Between January 15-16, one Israeli soldier was killed, and another soldier died from injuries previously received in December.
Civil Protection and Humanitarian Assistance Highlights:
Israel:
· On January 15th Magen David Adom (MDA) responded to two separate stabbing and car-ramming incidents in Raanana. MDA treated 11 people.
· The Finnish government on January 16th donated one million Euros to MDA.
Gaza Strip:
· On January 14th, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reactivated their ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Governorate after being forcibly halted for nearly two months due to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Ambulance Center and PRCS Al-Quds Hospital.
· The PRCS has also deployed additional ambulances since some were destroyed by the IDF during the raid of the Jabalia Ambulance Center about three weeks ago.
· There remains 1.9 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) throughout Gaza:
o More than half of the IDPs (approximately 270,000) have moved again further south.
o As of January 12th, nearly 1.4 million IDPs are sheltering in 154 UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) facilities.
· Between January 15-16, 204 trucks with food, medicine and other supplies entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings. Since the opening of Kerem Shalom crossing, almost 25% of aid trucks have come in through that entry point.
· On January 15th a joint statement was issued by the leaders of World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme and the UN Children’s Fund on the risk of famine in Gaza.
· Healthcare and Public Health Update:
o WHO reported on January 15th that the 360-bed Nasser Medical Complex remains overstretched with 700 patients (double its normal capacity):
ü The hospital continues to receive a high volume of trauma and burn cases but the Intensive Care Unit and burns unit are severely understaffed, delaying lifesaving treatment for many.
ü Reportedly, 7,000 people are seeking shelter on the hospital grounds. Overcrowding and lack of adequate water and sanitation facilities are making infection prevention extremely challenging, increasing the risk of disease transmission.
o The Al-Aqsa Hospital in Central Gaza status is dire:
ü With the withdrawal of several non-governmental organizations between January 6-7, the hospital only has 12 health workers. This includes only two doctors.
ü Food, water, and fuel are extremely scarce.
ü Around 140 patients are in the hospital and 1,500 people are sheltering there.
ü The hospital desperately needs the following resources:
Ø Sustained flow of supplies
Ø Additional human resources
Ø Protection
ü WHO is planning to facilitate the deployment of an Emergency Medical Team that can support surgeries and the hospital’s emergency department.
o WHO with financial assistance from the United Arab Emirates on January 15th delivered $866,000 worth of medicines and medical consumables to the Al Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem.
· As of January 15th, only one of the three water pipelines from Israel into Gaza is functioning:
o The Deir al Balah water pipeline, with a capacity of close to 17,000 cubic meters of water per day, urgently needs repairs. Water, hygiene, and sanitation partners have estimated that repairs could take up to four weeks.
· Telecommunication services in Gaza have remained shut down for the fourth consecutive day as of January 16th:
o This is the seventh time that communications have stopped working since October 7th.
o The blackout of telecommunications deprives people in Gaza from accessing lifesaving information, preventing people from calling for first responders and impedes other forms of humanitarian response.
Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Highlights:
· The IDF reported that Hamas on January 15th released a video of three hostages.
· As of January 11th, WHO reported the following:
o 23,357 Fatalities (70% are said to be women and children)
o 59,410 Injuries
o 7,780 people are reported missing or under the rubble.
· As of January 12th, UNRWA reports that 150 of their staff have been killed.
· The PRCS reported on January 16th that IDF shelling near the Al-Amal Hospital caused severe damage to the building.
Sources:
· Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #94
· UNRWA Situation Report #64 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (All information from 11- 13 January 2024, is valid as of 13 January 2024 at 22:30)
· oPt Emergency Situation Update 20 (As of 11 January 2024 at 13:00)
· Israeli Defense Forces Twitter Page
· Palestine Red Crescent Society Twitter Page
· UN Agency for Palestine Refugees Twitter Page
· WHO Occupied Palestinian Territory Twitter Page
Resources
ADL, We Stand with Israel Website
Monetary Donations:
Before you donate please review the organization’s track record by using CharityWatch and Charity Navigator.
· UN Crisis Relief, Occupied Palestinian Territories
· IsraAID
· WHO Foundation, Gaza Crisis: Help Save Lives
· UN Migration Agency, Gaza