Emergency Manager's Weekly Report

Mar 145 min read

Israel/Hamas War Situation Report #42

Military and Diplomatic Highlights:

· On March 11 and 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed the following Hamas leaders:

o Muhammad Abu Hasna, Hamas’ Operations Unit Commander

o Hadi Ali Mustafa, a Hamas terrorist in Lebanon responsible for advancing Hamas' international activity.

o Marwan Issa, Deputy of Mohammad Deif and one of the planners of the October 7th Attack.

· As of March 12th, the IDF has stated that they have destroyed a total of 4,500 Hezbollah targets and killed over 300 fighters.

· On March 12th over 100 rockets were fired toward Northern Israel. In response Israeli fighter jets destroyed three rocket launchers.

Civil Protection and Humanitarian Assistance Highlights:

Israel

· On March 13th, the Magen David Adom (MDA) responded to a terror attack in the Jerusalem region and treated and transported two people.

Gaza Strip

· Intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations as well as heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups continue to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure.

· There are now 1.7 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

· On March 12th, U.S. Central Command dispatched vessels and materials from Joint Base Langley-Eustis to the Gaza Strip to establish a roll-on, roll-off dock capability that allows ship to deliver relief supplies.

· The UN and the European Union are continuing to call for more overland border crossings to be opened to deliver humanitarian supplies.

· The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on March 11 and 13 distributed 15,497 meals and food parcels in Southern Gaza.

· The UNRWA on March 11th reported that the Israeli restrictions of relief supplies are increasing and hampering response activities, these items include:

o Scissors used in children’s medical kits.

o Solar lights

o Oxygen cylinders and ventilators

· At the request of the Germany government, on March 11th, about 75 orphans and other vulnerable children were evacuated by staff from the SOS Children’s Villages from Rafah to an orphanage in Bethlehem, in the West Bank.

· The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that at least 17,000 children in Gaza are currently unaccompanied or separated, constituting 1% of the total displaced population.

· The UN is reporting that 5,000 persons with disabilities acquired from injuries sustained in hostilities suffer from a lack of accessible shelters, potential exploitation, insufficient medical services, and neglect of their needs.

· Healthcare and Public Health Updates:

o There are over 300,000 reported cases of acute respiratory infections and 200,000 reported cases of acute watery diarrhea.

o Hospitals across Gaza continue to face critical shortages of fuel, surgical equipment, anesthetic drugs and other medications, food, and health personnel, particularly in northern Gaza.

o Hospital Status:

ü 12 hospitals are currently partially functioning (6 in north and 6 in south of Wadi Gaza).

ü Only 2 out of 3 field hospitals are fully functional.

ü 24% of primary health care facilities are functional.

o A total of 17 World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Medical Teams are operational.

o On March 11th, WHO and partners delivered 24,050 liters of fuel, food, and medical supplies for 42,000 patients at Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza.

o The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has established medical points in their still functioning shelters. The medical teams are treating emergency cases and are providing consultations including care for post-natal and high-risk pregnant women.

o As of March 11th, UNRWA continues to operate 7 out of 23 health centers.

· Food Security Update:

o There are 2.2 million people facing famine as defined by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC):

ü 1.17 million people are facing IPC 4.

ü At least 500,000 people are facing IPC 5.

o On March 12th, the World Food Programme (WFP) delivered food for 25,000 people in Gaza city, marking the first successful convoy to reach northern Gaza since February 20th.

o U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces has continued conducting humanitarian air drops between March 9-11. These air drops delivered:

ü 121,492 meals and food aid

ü 77,700 bottles of water

o The World Central Kitchen has launched Operation Safeena which will deliver 200 tons of food via the new maritime aid corridor.

· UNICEF is reporting that as of March 13th, 81% of households in Gaza now lack access to safe and clean water.

Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Highlights:

· The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is reporting 31,184 fatalities and 72,889 injuries as of March 12th.

· As of March 11th, a total of 165 UNRWA staff members have been killed.

· The PRCS reports that 14 of their staff members are still being detained by Israel.

· On March 13th, an Israeli attack targeted a food distribution center in Rafah. This attack killed a UNRWA staff member and injured 22 people. This center was the few remaining sites in Gaza and its location was transmitted to Israel on March 12th.

Cultural Heritage Impact Highlights:

· The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of March 7th has verified damage to 41 cultural heritage sites. This includes:

o 10 Religious sites

o 22 Buildings of historical and/or artistic interest

o 2 Depositories of movable cultural property

o 3 Monuments

o 1 Museum

o 3 Archeological sites

Sources:

· Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #138

· Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #137

· Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel - reported humanitarian impact, 12 March 2024 at 15:00