Highlights

114 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the Gaza emergency, of whom 88 (77%) are civilians.

Some Israeli attacks have raised concerns about the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, including the destruction of homes of alleged members of armed groups.

Indiscriminate rocket firing by armed groups from Gaza has targeted main Israeli population centres, and resulted in at least three civilian injuries.

Fears of an imminent Israeli ground operation in Gaza have been on the rise; some 300,000 people in areas close to the border have been warned to leave their homes.

Water and sewage infrastructure in eight locations have sustained damage so far, affecting more than 350,000 people.

Situation Overview

The emergency in Gaza entered its fourth day. The past 24 hours have been characterized by an escalation in Israeli aerial and navy bombardments throughout the Gaza Strip, alongside an intensification of Palestinian rocket firing into Israel. Fears of an imminent ground operation in Gaza have been on the rise, as multiple communities in peripheral areas of the north, centre and south of the territory were contacted yesterday over the phone in recorded messages by the Israeli army, warning residents to evacuate their houses and move to nearby urban areas. While these calls have not so far triggered noticeable displacement, some 300,000 people could be affected.

Since the start of the military operation on 7 July, the Israeli military has carried out over 700 air raids, fired more than 1,100 missiles and 100 tank shells, and conducted some 330 naval shellings. These have resulted in the killing of 114 Palestinians, of whom more than two thirds (88 people) are civilians, including 30 children and 17 women, according to preliminary data collected by the Protection Cluster from various sources. Additionally, 680 Palestinians were injured, nearly two thirds of whom are children (221) and women (225), according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH).

Some of the attacks have raised concerns about the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, in violation of the principle of distinction under International Humanitarian Law (IHL). One such concern is related to the destruction of the homes of alleged members of armed groups: estimates by Palestinian human rights organizations range from 75 to 83 homes destroyed in these circumstances. In most cases, prior to the attacks, residents have been warned to leave the targeted building, either via phone calls by the Israel military or by the firing of warning missiles.

It is estimated that since the start of the operation a total of 282 homes have been totally destroyed and another 260 were severely damaged by Israeli attacks, according to the Shelter Cluster. This has resulted in the displacement of 3,250 people, who are hosted by relatives and neighbors. Another 360 people living in areas heavily targeted have sought shelter in various schools across Gaza.

In another incident of concern today (11 July), at around midday, an Israeli warplane targeted a vehicle belonging to Al Bureij municipality, while it was on duty, killing two employees and injuring three bystanders, including a 9 year old child, who died several hours later of the wounds sustained. On the night of 10 July, Al-Wafa hospital in eastern Gaza city was hit directly during an Israeli attack, causing damage to the staircase.

Palestinian rocket firing at Israel during the past 24 hours has been the heaviest since the start of the escalation. Some 340 rockets targeted multiple localities across Israel, including the main population centers, such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and, for the first time, Haifa, in northern Israel. While most rockets were intercepted or landed in open areas, a few hit homes, cars and a fuel tanker near a gas station in the city of Ashdod. The latter attack resulted in the injury of three civilians. Since 7 July, Palestinian armed groups reportedly fired approximately 1,150 rockets and 80 mortars towards Israel.

The streets of Gaza remain mostly empty and almost all shops are closed, as well as most government institutions, except for medical facilities. While primary health care facilities remain open, the number of consultations has dropped as people remain fearful to leave their homes. Hospitals are providing only emergency services, while shortage of medical supplies and electricity continue.

The Erez passengers crossing and the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing continued functioning partially, as has been the case in previous days. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt was exceptionally opened yesterday and today to allow the evacuation of a limited number of wounded Palestinians. Access to the sea is prohibited and all fishing activity has stopped: 3,600 fishermen are currently unable to mantain their livelihoods. Farming areas have been targeted and destruction of agricultural livelihood has been reported.