Palestine Situation Report | July 2024

For more information, including sources cited, read our full situation report.

The situation in Gaza and the West Bank continues to escalate. Polio has been detected in the water in Gaza, environmental degradation is reaching unfathomable heights, and mass displacements continue unchecked. Anera's staff is doing everything they can to meet needs as much as they can, but they themselves are facing malnutrition and risks to their health.

Violence in Gaza and the West Bank

Environmental devastation is a form of violence. A recent UN assessment revealed that over 39 million tonnes of debris have been created (and remain) in Gaza since October. This amount of rubbish poses a significant health risk, as it can contain asbestos, unexploded bombs and pathogens from human remains.

As of July 10th, 38,295 and 88,241 Palestinians have been recorded killed and injured in Gaza. Save the Children reports that up to 21,000 children are now estimated to be missing, and Gaza's Ministry of Health reports that over 14,000 children have been killed since October 7.

In the West Bank, The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has documented 1,084 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians that have resulted in property damage, injuries and some deaths. Between settler attacks and military aggression, 533 Palestinians have been killed and another 5,500 have been injured since October in the West Bank.

The food supply chain in Gaza has majorly broken down. Between restrictions on humanitarian aid and Israeli attacks on agricultural land and infrastructure, the market has plummeted. On June 25, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification partnership reported that 96% of the Gaza Strip population faces high levels of acute food insecurity.

Parents across Gaza are restricting their food intake to try and provide for their children. Nonetheless, children across the board in Gaza are experiencing a worsening dietary diversity that poses significant risks to the next generation's health and development.

Displacement, Shelter and WASH

The crisis in Gaza has displaced 1.9 million Palestinians, amounting to 90% of the residents of Gaza. As people evacuate and flee to designated safe zones, these safe zones have repeatedly been evacuated again.

On July 1, the Israeli military issued its second largest evacuation order since October 2023 to 250,000 people in Khan Younis and Rafah. On July 7 and 8, the Israel military ordered tens of thousands of residents of Gaza City to evacuate immediately.

The fuel shortage in Gaza is the biggest reason that Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure is non-operational. The severe shortage of clean water, hygiene kits and sanitation facilities has produced a surge in respiratory infections, diarrheal illnesses, jaundice and skin infections. Water filtration plants and wastewater treatment plants have had to close without fuel to operate, contributing to the emerging health risks.

In the West Bank, Israel operations damaged housing in the Nur Shams Refugee Camp in Tulkarem, displacing 11 families. And, settler attacks on Palestinians have displaced another 1,390 individuals.

Health

The healthcare sector urgently needs a daily supply of 80,000 L of fuel to sustain critical services like trauma care, hemodialysis and emergency surgeries. Despite the dire need for hospitals and medical treatment throughout Gaza, three hospitals were forcibly evacuated in Gaza in the first week of July. Now, only 13 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functional.

Over 10,000 cases of Hepatitis A and 880,000 cases of respiratory illnesses have besieged the hospital system. In addition, Polio has been detected in Gaza's sewage and drinking water. Without vaccines and proper medical treatment available, there is a risk that Polio will spread unchecked.

The shortage of support for people with disabilities is uniquely affecting their ability to survive in Gaza's conditions. Individuals with hearing impairments have been reportedly found dead, likely because they were unable to hear warnings issued by Israeli forces.

In the West Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 480 attacks on healthcare facilities. At the same time, 44% of the 28,292 applications to access health facilities since October 2023 have been denied.

Economic Situation

Economically, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Gaza has plummeted by 84%, leaving the economy at only 4% of the size it was before the war began. Unemployment has risen to over 79%, and inflation has reached over 153%.

In the West Bank, restrictions on movement, communication disruptions and barriers to goods access have made it much harder for Palestinians to sustain their economic activities. Approximately 160,000 jobs have been lost due to these new restrictions.

Anera's Response

As of July 15th, Anera has delivered 768 truckloads with supplies for Gaza. The goal has been to provide a continuous supply of essential emergency items, such as food resources, medical treatments, blankets and tents.

In addition, Anera has focused on distributing hygiene kits, water bottles and menstrual pads to address people's WASH needs. Finally, the organization has conducted psychosocial support sessions for children and free healthcare sessions to directly address the physical and emotional turmoil Palestinians in Gaza are facing.

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