Attachments
Key Points
The Gaza Strip
- Israeli Security Forces (ISF) continued military operations across Gaza, particularly in the Al Rimal area of Gaza City near Al Shifa Hospital, and in central Khan Younis. This has resulted in further civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure. Airstrikes and bombardment continued in Rafah where UNRWA estimates a total of 1.2 million people are now living, the vast majority in formal and informal shelters.
- UNFPA Executive Director made a statement on impending famine in Gaza[1] and of reports of newborns dying because they are underweight. UNFPA stated that the current situation significantly impacts pregnant women and newborns every day, with the odds of women delivering undernourished and undersized babies.
- WHO[2] continues to report that the health system in Gaza is collapsing due the conflict and access constraints. As of 27 March, according to WHO, two thirds (or 24 out of 36) of hospitals in Gaza are non-functional, two are minimally functional in northern Gaza, and 10 are partially functional including four in northern Gaza and six in southern Gaza. Similarly, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that health services in northern Gaza have been largely destroyed, and the southern Gaza Strip's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.
- The education cluster assessed that up to 212[3] schools in Gaza have been hit directly since 7 October 2023. Satellite analysis found that at least 53 schools were totally destroyed. It is estimated that at least two out of three schools in Gaza will need to be completely rebuilt or require major rehabilitation to function again. The Education Cluster report so states that it received several concerning reports, pictures and videos, showing that schools are being used for military purposes by Israeli Security Forces (ISF) including as detention, interrogation centres, and military bases. The satellite-derived images provide further evidence for the military use of schools.
- There has been no significant change in the volume of humanitarian supplies entering Gaza or improved access to the north. From 1 - 27 March there has been an average of 159 aid trucks crossing per day. The highest number this month was on 11 March, when 236 trucks entered Gaza via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Rafah land crossings. This remains well below the operational capacity of both border crossings and the target of 500 per day. UNRWA is the largest humanitarian organisation in Gaza with over 1.8 million people, or 85 per cent of the population, reached with flour since 7 October as one example. In addition, nearly 600,000[4] people have received emergency food parcels and almost 3.5 million patient consultations have been provided at health centres and points. UNRWA continues to provide storage and distribution of other agencies' food commodities.
- As of 27 March, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 171.
- As of 27 March, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population) ** have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, the majority multiple times.*** Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and the Middle Area in recent weeks, a significant number of displaced people have moved further south.
*This includes 1 million individuals residing in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of 12 October, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in UNRWA shelters in Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates. UNRWA currently estimates that the population of Northern Gaza and Gaza City governorates is up to 250,000 people. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by ISF, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times.
**UNRWA reported on 15 January in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs were either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fighting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered.
*** There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fluid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows.
[1] Statement by the Executive Director on Impending Famine in Gaza - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb
[2] Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #147 [EN/AR/HE] - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb
[3] Verification of damages to schools based on proximity to damaged sites - Gaza, Occupied Palestinian Territory (26 March 2024) - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb
[4] UNRWA and other UN parcels distributed by UNRWA.
Overall Situation
The Gaza Strip
- According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza as of 27 March, at least 32,470 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since 7 October. About 70 per cent of those killed are reported to be women and children. Another 74,889 Palestinians have been reportedly injured.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem
- According to OCHA, between 7 October 2023--27 March 2024, 438 Palestinians, including at least 106 children, have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.