On 10 January, four members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s (PRCS) ambulance crew and two injured people were killed when an ambulance was struck on Salah al Din Street at the entrance of Deir al Balah, according to (PRCS). The UN Human Rights Office expressed concern that Israel forces, “have placed civilian lives at serious risk by ordering residents from various parts of Middle Gaza to relocate to Deir Al Balah – while continuing to conduct airstrikes on the city... Today, 10 January, IDF strikes reportedly hit a residential building in front of the [Al Aqsa] hospital, as well as an ambulance vehicle belonging to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS). The strikes reportedly killed 13 Palestinians.” Reportedly, the severity of the strikes have led many medical staff to evacuate the hospital, despite the high need for medical care as a result of the continuing strikes.
On 9 January, the Ministry of Culture published a report summarizing the losses sustained in the Palestinian cultural scene. As of 9 January, 41 intellectuals and artists, including four children who were already considered as artists or creators, have been killed. The report stated that 24 cultural centers were damaged or destroyed, and approximately 195 historical buildings were damaged, including 20 mosques and churches across the Strip.
Since 11 October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been under an electricity blackout, after the Israeli authorities cut off the electricity supply and fuel reserves for Gaza’s sole power plant were depleted. The communications and fuel shutdown continues to significantly hinder the aid community’s efforts to assess the full extent of needs in Gaza and to adequately respond to the deepening humanitarian crisis. For more information on electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, please see this dashboard.
read the entire report: Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #89
The UN and its humanitarian partners are delivering food, water, blankets, health supplies and more, but they require greater access throughout Gaza to help people in need wherever they are and at a meaningful scale. Photo by UNRWA
