Military and Diplomatic Highlights:
· The Israel Defense Forces killed Omar Atiya Daruish Aladdiny. He played a leading role in the preparations for the October 7 attack and was also responsible for embedding Hamas’ rocket arsenal in Gaza and firing rockets into Israel since 2008.
Civil Protection and Humanitarian Assistance Highlights:
Israel
Magen David Adom (MDA) has responded to numerous incidents:
· On February 29th, two victims were shot and killed on Route 60 near the entrance of Eli. MDA was assisted on scene by United Hatzalah volunteers.
· MDA personnel treated and transported eight patients because of an anti-tank missile attack on March 4th.
Gaza Strip
· Intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations as well as heavy fighting continue to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure.
· As of March 4th, up to 1.7 million people (over 75% of the population) have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times.
· The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has established several camps to accommodate IDPs. As of March 1st, these camps are housing 28,324 people.
· Humanitarian Aid Delivery Update:
o During February, there was a 50% increase in the number of coordinated humanitarian missions that were facilitated by the Israeli authorities across Gaza, rising to 111 compared with 75 in January.
o Only six of 24 planned missions in February to areas north of Wadi Gaza were facilitated, primarily due to an operational pause.
o The first three days of March saw a marginal increase in the number of trucks entering with an average of 127 trucks per day entering Gaza.
o On March 5th, the European Union (EU) opened two warehouses with 1,200 square meters of space.
· The EU announced on March 1st, that they will proceed with paying 50 million Euros to UNRWA. They will also increase emergency support by 68 million Euros in 2024.
· On March 8th, the European Commission, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced their intention to open a maritime corridor to deliver humanitarian aid:
o The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a mission to construct a temporary pier to receive these supplies.
· Healthcare and Public Health Update:
o The PRCS is operating medical points at the following locations:
ü Jabalia
ü Khan Younis
ü Mawasi
o The World Health Organization (WHO) was able to visit three hospitals in Northern Gaza on March 1 and 4:
o Al-Awda Hospital:
ü This was the first time that WHO could visit this hospital since October 2023.
ü One of their buildings has been destroyed.
ü WHO delivered 9,500 liters of fuel.
o Kamal Adwan Hospital:
ü This was the first time that WHO could visit this hospital since October 2023.
ü This is the only pediatric hospital in the north and is overwhelmed with patients.
ü Lack of food has led to the deaths of ten children.
ü The lack of electricity poses a serious threat to patient care, especially in critical areas like the intensive care unit and the neonatal unit.
ü WHO delivered 9,500 liters of fuel.
o Al-Shifa Hospital:
ü WHO delivered 19,000 liters of fuel and medical supplies for 150 patients.
ü 50 children were suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
ü Over 240 patients are in the hospital being supported by many volunteer health workers.
o Al-Amal Hospital:
ü Continuous shelling and gunfire around the hospital or directly targeting it continues to endanger the safety of patients and medical teams.
ü Some medical supplies, chronic disease medications, and laboratory necessities are depleted.
ü Essential needs such as milk, diapers for infants, and supplies for the elderly are lacking.
ü There are only enough food supplies on hand to last one more week.
ü There is only 3-days’ worth of drinking water on site.
ü Fuel on hand can only support operations for another week.
· Food Security Update:
o UNRWA reports that 90% of the population are experiencing high levels of food insecurity.
o The World Food Programme (WFP) pause in delivering food to northern Gaza has continued until conditions are in place that allow for safe distributions.
o WFP reports that markets are facing a range of challenges, including critical food shortages, reliance on informal supply channels, and the re-selling of humanitarian assistance. More than half of the shops surveyed between February 7-15 in Deir al Balah and Rafah reported a decrease in food stocks, and a notable portion indicated a complete depletion of their stocks.
o A joint assessment with UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) revealed an accelerating malnutrition crisis in Gaza, with wasting threatening the lives of countless children, pregnant women and young mothers.
o As of March 5th, UNRWA has delivered flour in Southern Gaza to over 370,000 families.
o On March 2 and 5, the U.S. Department of Defense and the Royal Jordanian Army Forces conducted air drops of relief supplies (mainly food).
· Water Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) Update:
o Preliminary observations show a deterioration of water and sanitation conditions, with 61% of assessed sites having no showers, 93% of sites with visible waste, and 20% of sites with water points at risk of contamination.
o The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 81% of households lack access to safe and clean water, with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in overcrowded collective centers or informal sites being among the most affected.
Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Highlights:
· Israel reports that 134 Israelis and foreign nationals are still being held hostage.
· On March 4th, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict reported that they have found clear and convincing information that sexual violence (including rape, sexualized torture, cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment) has been committed against hostages.
· WHO reports that there are now over 30,000 fatalities and over 70,000 people have been injured in the Gaza Strip.
· As of March 4th, UNRWA reports that 162 of their personnel have been killed.
· On March 4th, Project Hope reported that one of their nurses was killed with seven of her relatives by an Israeli strike on their family home.
· The PRCS reported that as of March 2nd, Israel continues to detain 15 staff members.
· On February 29th at least a hundred Palestinians were killed as humanitarian aid trucks entered northern Gaza:
o The IDF has stated that those killed were the result of pushing, trampling and being run over by the trucks.
o The UN Human Rights Office for the Occupied Territories reported that those killed were shot by the IDF and were also trampled and crushed by the trucks.
Sources:
· Joint Statement from the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States Endorsing the Activation of a Maritime Corridor to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza
· UNRWA Situation Report #87 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 5–6 March 2024, is valid as of 6 March 2024 at 22:3
· Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #134
· Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #133
· WFP Palestine Emergency Response External Situation Report #15 (6 March 2024)
· UN Human Rights Office - OPT: UN Human Rights Office strongly deplores killing of at least 112 Palestinians during food aid distribution in Gaza City
· Israeli Defense Forces Twitter Page
· Magen David Adom Twitter Page
· United Hatzalah Twitter Page
· Palestine Red Crescent Society Twitter Page
· OCHA Occupied Territories Twitter Page
· WHO Occupied Territories Twitter Page
· EU ECHO Twitter Page
· U.S. Central Command Twitter Page
Resources
Gaza/Israel: Statement by the High Representative on Palestinians citizens killed during a transfer of aid supplies (New)
FAO, On the ground in Gaza Website (New)
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
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