RRF 06/2023: Gaza Escalation Response

On 9 May, Israeli forces launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli airstrikes struck residential buildings and houses where three members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were staying, killing them along with ten family members In the Gaza Strip, the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has verified 33 Palestinian fatalities from 9 to 14 May. Out of the verified fatalities, at least 12 were civilians. Among the 12 civilians were four girls, 2 boys, 4 women and 2 men. According to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, 190 Palestinians were injured, including 64 children and 38 women.

During the escalation, there was damage to housing units, schools, health facilities, and infrastructure. A total of 2,943 housing units were damaged, with 103 destroyed, 140 severely damaged, and 2,700 otherwise damaged. It is estimated that 1,244 Palestinians were internally displaced as a result.

The escalation came to worsen the already fragile systems in the Gaza strip, along with the siege, blockade, high unemployment, economic collapse, extreme psychosocial distress and all of hostilities resulted in a direct humanitarian impact on education, livelihoods, access to basic services, shelter, health, water and sanitation.

ACT Palestine forum member DSPR- NECC are planning to support around 7,130 most vulnerable people in the affected area of Gaza Strip with food/ nutrition, health, and protection/ psychosocial support.

RRF06-2023 Gaza Escalation Response