Israel/Hamas War Situation Report #48

Military and Diplomatic Highlights:

· 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.

· Ground incursions and heavy fighting also continue to be reported in Jabaliya, Deir al Balah, and eastern Rafah.

· Between May 13-15, one Israeli soldier was killed in Gaza. A total of 273 soldiers have been killed and 1,712 injured.

· On May 15th, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed Hussain Ibrahim Mekky who was a senior Hamas field commander.

· There were approximately 40 rocket launches from Lebanon that occurred on May 16th. In response, Israeli fight jets struck one of the military posts from which the rockets were fired, and another Hezbollah military structure.

Civil Protection and Humanitarian Assistance Highlights:

· As of May 11th, there are up to 1.7 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Gaza which represents over 75% of the population:

o As of May 15th, the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that at least 60,000 IDPs have fled Rafah since military operations intensified.

o On May 14 and 15, the IDF issued two new evacuation orders for all or part of 19 neighborhoods in northern Gaza.

o To date, 78% of the Gaza Strip, have been placed under evacuation orders by the Israeli military.

· The UN reports that as of May 15th, the Rafah Crossing remains closed. The Kerem Shalom Crossing is operational, but the prevailing security and logistical conditions are hampering humanitarian aid deliveries.

· On May 16th, U.S. Central Command reported that to support the humanitarian mission to deliver humanitarian aid, they anchored a temporary pier to the beach in Gaza.

· Humanitarian Aid Deliveries (May 1-9):

o Northern Gaza:

ü Only 28% of the missions were facilitated by Israeli authorities.

ü 16% were outright denied.

ü 34% were impeded.

ü 22% were cancelled due to logistical hurdles.

o Southern Gaza:

ü 54% of the missions were facilitated.

ü 20% of the missions faced outright denials.

ü 6% were impeded.

ü 20% were cancelled due to logistical constraints.

· Healthcare and Public Health Update:

o On May 10th, the UN Health Cluster warned that unless fuel is promptly permitted into Gaza, the operational lifespans of five hospitals and five field hospitals would significantly reduce in less than 48 hours. Also at risk are 28 ambulances, 17 primary health care centers, 23 medical facilities in Al Mawasi, and ten mobile clinics that are providing essential immunization, trauma care and nutrition services.

o Oxfam on May 13th also warned that there is a rising risk of deadly epidemic outbreaks, including cholera. Five of Oxfam water and sanitation projects (including three wells, a desalination plant and a sewage pumping station) have been severely damaged or destroyed since October 7, 2023.

o On May 12, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that they have restored operations in the ophthalmology, surgery, and orthopedics departments at Al Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis.

· Food Security Update:

o The escalation of hostilities and lack of access to the main World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse and the Kerem Shalom crossing have restrained WFP and partners’ operations in southern and central Gaza.

o Food distribution in Rafah is currently suspended due to insecurity, partners’ lack of stock, and displacement of humanitarian personnel.

o All WFP contracted bakeries in Rafah have shut down.

o Fuel shortages and displacement of humanitarian personnel have also led to limited distributions of reduced rations.

o WFP has prioritized the provision of hot meals to displaced populations in central areas.

o Current supplies of food and fuel in Gaza will only last a few days, and WFP's operations might come to a standstill.

o On May 14th, World Central Kitchen reported that they have opened its third field kitchen.

Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Highlights:

· On May 13th there was another arson attempt by Israeli extremists at the UNRWA facility in Jerusalem.

· The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that a UN staff member was killed, and another staff member was injured when their vehicle was struck in-route to the European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis.

· As of May 12th, a total of 189 UNRWA staff have been killed.

· The Israeli government is still detaining 4 PRCS staff members.

· As of 12 May, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 189.

Sources:

· Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #166

· WFP Palestine Emergency Response External Situation Report #20 (16 May 2024)

· UNRWA Situation Report #107 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 6 - 12 May 2024 is valid as of 12 May 2024 at 22:30

· Israeli Defense Forces Twitter Page

· Palestine Red Crescent Society Twitter Page

· UN Agency for Palestine Refugees Twitter Page

· OCHA Occupied Territories Twitter Page

· U.S. Central Command Twitter Page