Jun 124 min read

Israel/Hamas War Situation Report #52

Military and Diplomatic Highlights:

· As of June 10th, one additional Israel Defense Forces (IDF) solider was killed in Gaza.

· The IDF on June 12th, killed Sami Taleb Abdullah, the commander of the Hezbollah Nasr Unit. Three additional Hezbollah terrorist operatives were also killed.

· Hezbollah on June 12th launched 160 projectiles into Northern Israel. Several fell in various locations, causing fires to break out and several projectiles were intercepted.

Civil Protection and Humanitarian Assistance Highlights:

· There are currently 1.7 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Gaza Strip.

· As of June 9th, almost all IDPs have left Rafah, fewer than 100,000 people have stayed in the area. All UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) shelters in Rafah have been forced to vacate.

· The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported on June 12th, that they have established an IDP camp in the Al-Nuseirat-Sea area. This camp will accommodate 30 tents.

· The U.S. Department of Defense reported that on June 11th, the floating pier has been reopened and is receiving relief supplies.

· Healthcare and Public Health Update:

o 17 of 36 hospitals in Gaza remain partially functional.

o WHO reported that on June 8th an inter-agency mission to Al Aqsa Hospital found that the hospital was hosting 700 patients (which is five-fold its capacity).

o The PRCS at the Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis is setting up tents with medical beds in front of the hospital’s reception and emergency department to increase bed capacity at the facility.

o On June 7th, a truck carrying European Commission-supported medications for noncommunicable diseases (hypertension, cardiac conditions, type 2 diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses) arrived in Gaza via the Kerem Shalom Crossing on May 30th:

ü These supplies will be distributed to health facilities to support the treatment of up to 44,000 people.

· UNRWA reported that as of June 10th, more than half of the buildings in Gaza have been destroyed. Clearing the rubble throughout the area could take years to complete.

· Fuel shortages continue to severely disrupt people’s access to water and the operation of vital sanitation facilities in the Gaza Strip:

o The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster reported that between May 26 and June 2, only 20% of the fuel needed per week to ensure the operation of vital water and wastewater facilities was received.

o Fuel deliveries were also suspended between May 31 and June 6 due to safety concerns and the shifting of logistical support services from Rafah to Khan Younis amid intensified military operations.

Violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Highlights:

· June 8th IDF Hostage Rescue:

o The IDF reported that they rescued four hostages, they were:

ü Noa Argamani

ü Almog Meir Jan

ü Andrey Kozlov

ü Shlomi Ziv

o They were being held by Hamas at the Nuseirat Refugee Camp.

o The IDF raid to rescue the hostages resulted in an estimated 274 fatalities and 698 injured.

o The PRCS reported that the IDF used an aid truck to infiltrate the camp.

· As of June 9th, a total of 193 UNRWA personnel have been killed.

· The PRCS has stated that as of June 12th, the Israeli government is still detaining Huthaifa Abu Aita. He is a volunteer that was detained at the PRCS medical post in Jabalia (Northern Gaza) 172 days ago.

· The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry released a report on June 12th that found that both Palestinian terrorist groups and the Israeli government have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Cultural Heritage Protection Highlights:

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) has verified damage to 50 sites as of June 10, they include:

· 11 Religious sites

· 28 Buildings of historical and/or artistic interest

· 2 Depositories of movable cultural property

· 4 Monuments

· 1 Museum

· 4 Archeological sites

Sources:

· Humanitarian Situation Update #177

· UNRWA Situation Report #113 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem - All information from 6-9 June 2024, is valid as of 9 June 2024 at 22:30 (local time)

· Israeli authorities, Palestinian armed groups are responsible for war crimes, other grave violations of international law, UN Inquiry finds