OVERVIEW

Since 7 October 2023, when the Qassam Brigades (armed wing of the Hamas) and other Palestinian armed groups launched the al-Aqsa Storm military operation against Israel, hostilities between Hamas and Israeli forces have been constantly intensifying (WHO 10/10/2023; CNN 08/10/2023; Al Jazeera 09/10/2023). Israeli forces have launched a massive bombardment campaign, especially targeting northern Gaza and Gaza city. Since 28 October, Israel has been making regular and increasingly deep incursions into Gaza, with reports of its forces surrounding Gaza city as at 2 November (CNN 27/10/2023; Reuters 30/10/2023; The Guardian 30/10/2023; Nation 29/10/2023; FT 30/10/2023; OCHA 29/10/2023 a; Al Jazeera 03/11/2023; AP 03/11/2023).

Since the hostilities started, the violence has killed about 1,400 Israelis and injured over 5,400 (OCHA 29/10/2023 b; FT 30/10/2023; OCHA 06/11/2023). As at 6 November, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups were holding around 242 Israelis and foreign nationals hostage in Gaza, including an unverified number reported killed and four freed (OCHA 29/10/2023 a; Al Jazeera 28/10/2023; ET 27/10/2023; Nation 26/10/2023; OCHA 06/11/2023).

As at 6 November, the violence had killed over 9,480 Palestinians, including around 3,900 children, and injured over 24,170 in Gaza. About 2,100 people, including over 1,200 children, were either missing, dead, or trapped under the rubble waiting to be rescued (UN 31/10/2023; OCHA 05/11/2023). In the West Bank, the conflict had killed about 141 Palestinians ( UNRWA 01/11/2023; OCHA 06/11/2023).

On 13 October, Israeli forces ordered people to evacuate from north Gaza, including from 22 hospitals, leading to massive, unprecedented displacement towards the south and middle cities, away from border areas with Israel (PRCS 30/10/2023; VOA 29/10/2023; UNICEF 30/10/2023; WHO 28/10/2023 and 31/10/2023). This has resulted in the internal displacement of over 1.4 million people (over 60% of the total population) (IOM 02/11/2023; OCHA 02/11/2023, 01/11/2023 a, and 01/11/2023 b; OCHA 05/11/2023).

The complete siege that Israel declared on 8 October is preventing the adequate supply of goods into the enclave. All crossing points with Israel have been shut down (Al Jazeera 09/10/2023; DW 09/10/2023; The Guardian 12/10/2023; WHO 10/10/2023; UNRWA 11/10/2023; OCHA 02/11/2023). Since 21 October, the Rafah Crossing connecting Gaza with Egypt has been reopened after years of closure following intense diplomatic negotiations (VOX 09/10/2023; TWP 11/10/2023; UNICEF 06/2022). Egypt only allows goods to pass on a limited scale. It does not allow the movement of people, except those severely injured, foreign nationals, aid workers, and Palestinians with foreign passports, who were allowed to exit on 2 November (AP 02/11/2023; MSF 01/11/2023).
As at 4 November, only 451 trucks had entered the Gaza Strip since 21 October. The UN estimates that 100 trucks are needed per day (OCHA 02/11/2023; WFP 31/10/2023 and 30/10/2023; OCHA 01/11/2023 a; OCHA 05/11/2023). Beginning on 27 October, internet and mobile services are intermittently cut off (WFP 31/10/2023 and 29/10/2023; Mint 05/11/2023).

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