Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Situation Report on the Humanitarian Situation in the – No. 7 9 January 2009

The following information is based on reports from member states, the UN Country Team for the occupied Palestinian territory, humanitarian partners and authorities involved in the humanitarian response.

1. General Overview

1. The Israeli military operation in Gaza entered its 14th day. With continued clashes, there was an increased number of civilian casualties reported as well as restrictions to humanitarian access. As of 9 January, there were also over 21,000 internally displaced persons within Gaza.

2. As of 1700 hrs (1500 hrs GMT) the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that the total number of Palestinian fatalities was 800 and 3,300 injured, including a high number of civilians, since the beginning of the Israeli operation on 27 December. Since the beginning of the Israeli ground operation on 3 January, the number of fatalities of children in Gaza increased by 250%, as at 8 January.

3. Three Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldier fatalities on 8 January brought the total number of Israeli fatalities to ten soldiers and four civilians since 27 December. On 9 January, militants continued to fire rockets and mortar shells into . As of 1430 hrs (1230 hrs GMT), twenty rockets had been fired from Gaza, hitting major Israeli cities. Thirty rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel on 8 January.

4. For the third day, the Israelis implemented a unilateral cessation of military activities. The logistics cluster reported that the cessation of military activities was planned for 1200-1500 hrs (1000-1300 hrs GMT), one hour earlier than on the two previous days. Some humanitarian agencies expressed concern that the late announcement of the change in time could affect planning and coordination for the delivery of assistance.

5. During the night of 8 January, the Security Council (SC) adopted Resolution 1860 which called for: an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza; the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment; and called upon Member States to intensify efforts to provide arrangements and guarantees in Gaza in order to sustain a durable ceasefire and calm, including to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition and to ensure the sustained reopening of the crossing points on the basis of the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access between the Palestinian Authority and Israel (see Resolution attached). Fourteen of the Security Council’s 15 members voted in favour of the Resolution, with the United States abstaining.

6. In response to the Resolution, Israeli Prime Minsiter Olmertt’s office issued a statement on 9 January saying that the, “military will continue acting to protect Israeli citizens and will carry out the missions it was given.” The cease-fire was similarly rejected by , whose leader Ayman Taha said Hamas was, “not consulted about this 1 resolution and [the development of the resolution has] not taken into account our vision and the interests of our people.”

7. The Israeli Government was to meet on 9 January to decide how to proceed on an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire, as well as how to respond to the passing of the Security Council Resolution 1860.

8. On 8 January, the Human Rights Council held a special session on Gaza, at which strong statements were made by most member states, deploring the grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. A possible Human Rights Council Resolution is under consideration. On 9 January, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the immediate implementation of a ceasefire and suggested that the Security Council consider authorizing a mission to investigate violations committed by both sides in the conflict in order to establish the relevant facts and ensure accountability.

9. As a result of the insecurity faced by its staff, UNRWA had instituted a temporary suspension of movements of staff throughout the Gaza Strip on 8 January. On 9 January, in a high level meeting at the Israeli Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Tel Aviv, the UN was informed that the incidents which led to the temporary suspension of UN staff movements are deeply regretted and do not reflect official Israeli Government policy. The UN received credible assurances that the security of UN personnel, installations and humanitarian operations would be fully respected, and that there would be undertakings of improved liaison and more effective internal coordination within the IDF. On this basis, UN staff movements will resume as soon as possible while the UN will keep the safety and security of its staff under constant review.

10. Following an incident during which an ICRC-escorted convoy was hit on 8 January, the ICRC stated on 9 January that it, “will not be conducting relief convoys outside Gaza City,” though it “is maintaining most of its humanitarian activities in Gaza…such as the work of the ICRC surgical team at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.” The ICRC also stated that it was, “trying to clarify the circumstances under which one of its convoys came under fire on 8 January.”

11. The Joint Humanitarian Coordination Centre for the Israel Foreign Ministry and the Office of Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), which opened on 6 January, now includes representatives of humanitarian agencies and donors, including UN OCHA, WFP, UNRWA, ICRC, the EC and USAID. The presence of the representatives is intended to facilitate coordination of humanitarian operations between Israeli authorities and the humanitarian community.

2.1 Coordination and Humanitarian Response

Gaza Crossings

12. The Kerem Shalom crossing was open on 9 January. According to the Logistics Cluster, forty-one commercial truckloads were allowed entry into Gaza on 9 January through the crossing, including medical supplies, food and electrical parts for the power plant. However, no UN humanitarian supplies entered Gaza on 9 January. On 8 January, a total of 89 truckloads, including 40 for aid agencies, were allowed entry to Gaza through Kerem Shalom. COGAT reported that this included 2,227 tons of food, medical supplies and medication.

13. At Rafah crossing, on 9 January, 14 truckloads of medical supplies were allowed entry, as well as 11 medics and three ambulances. One medical case was evacuated.

14. The Nahal Oz fuel pipeline, Erez and Karni crossings remained closed on 9 January. COGAT reported that on 8 January, 315,000 litres of industrial fuel for the Gaza power station and 143 tons of gas for domestic uses was piped to Palestine through the Nahal Oz fuel pipeline. On 8 January, 232 dual-national left Gaza via the Erez crossing.

2.1. Protection

15. The safety of civilians remains a serious concern in Gaza. In particular, medical staff’s access to evacuate those affected by shelling has been constrained. An unknown number of dead, injured and trapped people remain in houses which have been shelled and in areas where hostilities are ongoing. As ambulances have been hit in the past, insecurity is preventing medical staff from reaching these places.

2 16. Due to the restricted access of ambulances, on 8 January, the ICRC called for, “ambulances in Gaza [to] be given systematic round-the-clock access to the wounded everywhere in the territory so they can save as many lives as possible.” The ICRC also noted that emergency personnel must be granted safe, unlimited passage to treat and evacuate the wounded.

2.2. Food

17. The World Food Programme reported that food distributions continued on 9 January. However, due to restricted access related to insecurity, since 27 December, WFP has reached only approximately 60,000 beneficiaries, which represents less than a quarter of their regular caseload.

18. Food shortages continued across Gaza and Karni Crossing Point remained closed, which is the only mechanisms that can facilitate the import of the amount of grain required for bakeries and food distributions.

2.3. Health

19. The security situation continued to prevent medical staff from reaching hospitals and clinics on 9 January. As the crisis approached the two-week benchmark, in addition to concerns about the capacity to treat emergency cases with overstretched emergency rooms and medical staff, there are concerns that chronically ill patients who depend on regular treatment at hospitals within and outside of Gaza will be affected by a lack of access to treatment. Only urgent surgery is being carried out in hospitals and all out-patient clinics are closed, except for those dealing with urgent cases.

20. WHO reported that 34 out of 56 primary health care centres were open on 9 January, however due to access constraints, there was a ninety percent reduction in visits.

2.4. Water and Sanitation

21. Due to a lack of electricity and diminished fuel supplies to operate back-up generators, many water wells and sewage pumps are still not functioning, leaving an estimated half a million Gazans without running water on 8 January.

22. Due to the dangers of movement, solid waste is piling up in the streets of Gaza. This is compounding the threat of the spread of disease posed by non-functioning waste-water treatment plants, which are currently leaking sewage into water pipes and which are at risk of overflowing.

2.5. Shelter and Non-Food Items

23. As fighting continues, a large number of people continue to flee their homes to seek safety and shelter. As of the evening of 8 January, UNRWA was operating 27 shelters in Gaza, hosting more than 21,200 displaced people. UNRWA school buildings and other basic structures are being used as shelters even though they have no special reinforcement to withstand the effects of the fighting. 24. Current supplies of non-food items (NFIs) in shelters remain insufficient and approval has not been granted for the import of NFIs into Gaza during the week.

2.6. Infrastructure, Fuel and Electricity

25. Most of Gaza Strip is still without power, though GEDCO reported that 15-20 percent of Gaza City started to receive an intermittent power supply on 9 January, thanks to ongoing repairs. Despite the repair of lines, there are still problems of localized network damage affecting the delivery of electricity to many areas.

26. During the lull fighting on 7 January, Paltel, the local mobile phone operator, managed to refuel its main switches and main mobile towers, allowing some communications.

3 3.0 International Assistance and Priority needs

3.1. Funding

27. The Humanitarian Country Team has re-visited projects proposed for the 2009 CAP (which appealed for over USD 462 million) to ensure that the projects, activities and priorities remained relevant to the ongoing emergency. At this stage, the budget of the CAP has been increased by over USD 67 million for a total appeal of over USD 529 million, and is subject to further changes. This includes the UNRWA Flash appeal for over USD 34 million (for additional food, cash assistance, shelter and fuel); an increase in the capacity of the Humanitarian Emergency Response Fund (HRF) (to quickly fund unpredicted emergency responses), and funding for WFP (for additional food and to cover costs of the newly-established logistics cluster which it is leading).

28. There is an immediate need for USD 101 million to respond to the current needs in Gaza. Priority sectors include: protection; shelter; food aid and food security; water and sanitation; agriculture; cash for work/assistance; education; health; and coordination and support services.

29. In total, as of 9 January, donors have already committed or pledged approximately USD 48 million (in funding or in-kind contributions) for projects in the Consolidated Appeal and approximately USD 40 million to projects outside of the appeal (http://ocha.unog.ch/fts/pageloader.aspx?page=emerg- emergencyDetails&appealID=834). This information was compiled by OCHA, based on the information provided by donors and appealing organisations.

3.2. Priority Needs

30. Protection: Compliance with international humanitarian law is essential to enhance security for civilians within Gaza, allow civilians freedom of movement to reach lifesaving services, and for humanitarian actors to distribute assistance.

31. Access: A sustained re-opening of all crossings into Gaza is required to meet assistance needs. Improved humanitarian access to Gaza is also required for humanitarian staff, particularly for NGO staff. Increased security and improved access within Gaza is essential for civilians to reach lifesaving services, and for humanitarian actors to distribute assistance.

32. Electricity & Fuel: Much of the population of Gaza continues to live without electricity. Hospitals require fuel to run generators on which they rely; water and sanitation facilities require fuel to operate; and households and bakeries require cooking gas.

33. Wheat grain: Wheat grain is urgently needed for local bakeries and for humanitarian food distributions. The Karni Crossing conveyor belt is the only mechanism which can facilitate the import of the amount of grain required in the Strip at this time, and is currently closed.

34. Cash: Cash has still not entered the Gaza Strip and is urgently needed, including for the Palestinian authority to pay civil servants, for the UNRWA cash distribution program to some 94,000 dependent beneficiaries, as well as its “cash for work” program, salaries for staff and payments to suppliers. The Palestinian Monetary Authority has requested approval from Israel for a cash transfer of NIS 243 million (USD 62.9 million) and USD 16 million from Palestinian banks in the West Bank to their branches in Gaza.

35. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet website at http://reliefweb.int. A copy of the Field Update from the Humanitarian Coordinator for the oPt can be found at: http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/ocha_opt_gaza_humanitarian_situation_report_2009_01_08_english.pdf

4 4.0 Contacts

OCHA Geneva - Humanitarian Affairs Officer OCHA New York - Desk Officer Mr. Peter Neussl Mr. Aurelien Buffler Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 15 11 Tel: +1 347 515 4801 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Ms. Olivia Tecosky Tel: +1 212 963 0363 Email: [email protected]

OCHA Geneva - Press Contact OCHA New York - Press Contact Ms. Elizabeth Byrs Ms. Stephanie Bunker Tel: +41 (0) 22 917 26 53 Tel: +1 917 367 2549 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

OCHA Office in the occupied Palestinian territory Mr. Philippe Lazzarini Tel: +972-2-582-996/ 5853 Email: [email protected]

Ms. Allegra Pacheco Tel: + 972-2-582-996/ 5853 Email: [email protected]

5