Attachments
Highlights
• On 11 April, the ETC engaged with telecommunications and internet service providers in Gaza to collect information on their fuel requirements to maintain critical communication services. This information will support the prioritization of allocating available fuel to operators, particularly disruptions to fuel stations caused by evacuation orders, to keep essential communications infrastructure operational across Gaza.
• The ETC is engaging with the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Gaza to obtain an updated list of telecommunications infrastructure sites requiring deconfliction. Once finalized, the ETC will share the list with the Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) to advocate for the protection of these sites and prevent further damage to these remaining critical infrastructures.
• The ETC is coordinating with the Global ETC and the World Food Programme Regional Bureau for the Middle East and Northern Africa (WFP RBC) to facilitate the transfer of 20 satellite phones—donated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)—from the WFP Lebanon Country Office (CO) to the WFP Palestine CO. Once transportation clearance is obtained from the Israeli authorities, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)- approved devices will be delivered to Gaza.
Situation Overview
Since 18 March, intensified Israeli bombardments from the air and land have been reported across the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure. Since 02 March, the entry of all humanitarian supplies, including food, fuel, cooking gas and essential medical supplies, into Gaza has been halted. A combination of expanded military activity, blockade on the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, casualties of aid workers and attacks on their premises, and severe access restrictions has significantly constrained the life-saving humanitarian assistance in Gaza. With two-thirds of the Gaza Strip territory designated as “no-go” zones or placed under displacement orders, over 401,000 people are estimated to have been displaced again, according to the Site Management Cluster (SMC), with no safe place to go. The first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on 19 January, expired on 01 March.