As of 7^th October:

• At least 41,909 Palestinians killed since 7^th October 2023
• At least 97,303 Palestinians wounded since 7^th October 2023
• At least 1,139 Israelis killed since 7^th October 2023, including 8 soldiers during the recent ground invasion of Lebanon
• At least 8,730 Israelis wounded since 7^th October 2023

Friday 27^th September – Netanyahu in New York and programme manager killed in Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu told the U.N. General Assembly that Israel is fighting for its life and defending itself against savage murderers. Several delegations at the General Assembly walked out as Netanyahu approached the lectern.

Islam Hejazy was named as the aid worker recently killed in Gaza after a case of mistaken identity by gunmen. She was travelling by car in the southern Gazan area of Khan Younis, when gunmen in three cars shot at the vehicle with dozens of bullets. The interior ministry of Gaza stated it had investigated the circumstances of Islam’s death and described it as an “accident”. Islam, a mother of two children, was a “humanitarian with the highest ethics and professionalism” and was dedicated to helping Palestinian people. HEAL Palestine is a non-profit organisation working to provide emergency and long-term solutions to the children of Gaza. Following recent events, it is “more dedicated than ever to serving Gaza in Islam’s honour” and continues to call for an immediate ceasefire. Meanwhile, displaced Gazans living in battered tents fear the worst as winter nears and prices for tents and waterproof materials skyrocket. The conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, and Palestinians are already dreading the cold nights in the coming months, especially with blankets in short supply.

Saturday 28^th September – Hamas leader hiding in Gaza after Nasrallah killing in Lebanon

Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader, has reportedly “ceased movements” after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon. Sinwar’s security measures have also changed since the killing of Nasrallah, and other Hamas officials have stopped attending meetings in Lebanon for precaution. Israel has been investigating the possibility that Sinwar was killed in a recent IDF strike in Gaza, but for now there is no evidence to support this to be true. US mediators have been trying to contact Sinwar for weeks to complete a proposal for a cease-fire and a hostage release deal. However, a US State Department spokesperson stated that they have received no response. 

Sunday 29^th September – Tunnel in Gaza destroyed by the IDF

 The IDF released a video of the destruction of a 1 kilometre tunnel thought to belong to Hamas. The tunnel ran through central Gaza and reportedly contained several rooms, equipment and weapons belonging to Hamas. It is also thought that the tunnels were used as protection against air strikes from Israel.

Monday 30^th September – Gaza set to receive financial aid from Saudi Arabia and Gazan girls arrive in Italy to receive specialist treatment for burns

Saudi Arabia pledged to send $60 million to the Palestinian Authority to alleviate the “humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and its surrounding areas”. This was announced during a visit from the president of the Palestinian Authority to Saudi Arabia, according to one of his aides. This Saudi backing of Palestine comes after Prince Mohammed of Saudi Arabia declared that he would not establish diplomatic relations with Israel before the “establishment of a Palestinian state”. 

A two year old girl named Zeina has arrived in Italy for medical treatment. Zeina was burnt when boiling soup was spilt on her during an air strike in Gaza. Zeina’s burns were very severe and required several skin grafts, which she received in hospitals in Gaza as well as in Egypt. Further specialised treatment was required to allow Zeina to move her head properly and to treat her scars. Due to the efforts of Save a Child, a UK charity, and Kinder Relief, a US charity, Zeina was evacuated from Egypt to Italy to receive this treatment from Italy’s top burn specialists. Zeina was joined by Alaa, a 17 year old who also suffered serious burns due to Israeli air strikes. Alaa was trapped under rubble for 16 hours and suffered burns to her legs. She will never be able to walk normally again. The head of Kinder Relief, Nadia Ali, describes the girls as “the lucky ones who got out”, despite their injuries and the displacement from their homes. Alaa, who has lost her mother, father, two brothers, grandparents and aunt since 7^th October, hopes that “other injured Palestinians can leave for treatment” and prays “for God to protect them and the war to stop”.

Tuesday 1^st October – Air strike on Gaza kills at least 21 people and US announces $336 million in assistance to the State of Palestine 

Israel strikes Gaza in “renewed surge” of attacks. At least 21 people were killed in an air strike targeting a Hamas command centre. Further strikes on two houses and a school took place but have not been acknowledged by the IDF. Later in the day, strikes continued on Rafah and in the Zeitoun suburb, resulting in further casualties.

The US has announced it will provide $336 million in humanitarian assistance to help the people of Gaza and the West Bank. This funding will allow the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) partners to provide food assistance, emergency health care, psychosocial services, access to water, sanitation and hygiene for those affected by the ongoing events in Palestine. USAID also stated that they will use the funding for emergency shelter assistance to prepare Palestinians for the upcoming winter months. Since October 7^th, the US has provided over $1 billion in aid for the people of Palestine. However, it must be noted that in January 2024, the US paused its financial aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), following allegations that UNRWA employees were involved in the 7^th October attacks. Despite the allegations being unconfirmed by the UN investigation, the US reported that its funding would remain frozen until March 2025. UNRWA remains the principal provider of humanitarian assistance for Palestinians, and is being considered as a candidate for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. 

Wednesday 2^nd October – Air strikes hit Gaza, at least 70 killed and new customs rule slows down aid shipments 

The strikes from Tuesday 1^st October continued through the night and into Wednesday morning, with over 70 deaths reported across Gaza. The Khan Younis region in Southern Gaza was directly targeted by tanks and quadcopters, resulting in at least 51 deaths, including 7 women and 12 children. Further targets included Muscat School in Gaza City, Nuseirat Girls’ School, currently being used as a refugee camp, and the Al-Amal Institute for Orphans, resulting in further civilian deaths. A statement by the IDF states that the targets consisted of “command and control centres” of Hamas. The health ministry of Gaza declares that the death toll from these attacks could rise, with over 80 people with related injuries.

Furthermore, Israel’s authorities have introduced a new customs rule on aid entering Gaza from Jordan. Under this rule, organisations sending aid have to “complete a form providing passport details and accept liability for any false information on a shipment”. Organisations and its workers are fearful of signing this form as it could lead to issues if it “fell into the hands of Hamas or other enemies of Israel”. This rule is currently being disputed by affected organisations but has led to a decrease in aid shipments reaching Gaza via Jordan. Shipments from Cyprus and Egypt remain unaffected. However, commercial food shipments have also decreased, due to restrictions from Israeli authorities. There has been a decrease from a daily average of 140 trucks in July to 45 daily trucks in late September, which is exacerbating the current food insecurity in Gaza. This is gravely below the average of 600 daily trucks required to reduce the threat of famine during a war, as stated by the USAID. 2.3 million people in Gaza are facing high levels of food insecurity and the risk of famine will continue to increase if the necessary aid does not reach Gaza.

Thursday 3^rd October – IDF announces killing of 3 Hamas officials in Gaza

The IDF states that, three months ago, they killed three senior Hamas officials in Gaza. Hamas did not report these deaths at the time “in order to prevent loss of morale and functioning of its terror operatives”, says the IDF. The deceased include Rawhi Mushtaha, the head of the Hamas run government in Gaza, as well as members of Hamas’ security, Sameh al-Siraj and Sami Oudeh. These killings contribute to the surmounting deaths of senior Hamas officials since 7^th October, including Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in July and Hamas’ leader in the city of Jenin, Wissam Khazem, in August.

Friday 4^th October – Second phase of polio campaign in Gaza set to begin

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is aiming to begin the second phase of the polio vaccination campaign on 14^th October. As with the first phase of the campaign, it is essential that Israeli authorities cooperate with the WHO and pause fighting during the working hours of the day, to allow the campaign to be carried out safely and successfully. The WHO is currently negotiating with Israeli authorities and are set to meet on Sunday (6^th October) to continue talks.

Saturday 5^th October – Airstrikes in Gaza and Macron calls to end sending arms to Israel

On Saturday afternoon, Israeli airstrikes targeting refugee camps and residential areas in Gaza killed at least 7 Palestinians, including children, and injured several others. These attacks took place while the Israeli military ordered the immediate evacuation of the Bureij and Nuseirat refugee camps. This is part of Israel’s plan to expand the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza, that separates the north from the south. In the north, hospitals will reportedly “cease to function” within 24 hours because of a lack of medical supplies and diesel, caused from blockades by the Israeli military. Furthermore, the food shortages are mainly affecting Palestinians in the north, and are resulting in the deaths of many, mainly children.

At the 19th Francophonie Summit on Saturday, Emmanuel Macron, French President, expressed his concern for Gaza and called for a halt on sending arms to Israel. “Shame on them”, said Netanyahu in response, towards Macron and other Western leaders that have recently called for the cessation of arms to Israel. Despite this, France remains a “steadfast friend of Israel” and Macron reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defence and his “unwavering commitment” to Israel’s security.

Sunday 6^th October – Airstrikes continue and Israel enters northern Gaza 

Israeli airstrikes on a mosque and a school sheltering displaced Palestinians killed at least 26 people and injured another 93 in central Gaza, early on Sunday morning. Further strikes took place later on Sunday, on another school in northern Gaza. The government in Gaza, run by Hamas, said that 27 houses, several schools and shelters have been struck in the past 48 hours. The Israeli military said it was targeting “command and control centres” of Hamas, despite Hamas denying using schools and civilian sites for military purposes. The Israeli military also entered northern Gaza with tanks for the first time in months, following its evacuation orders of the area. The area of Jabalia was specifically targeted and surrounded, in response to Hamas’ efforts to rebuild in the area. Planes also hit several houses during the attack, killing at least 20 people. Residents have described this attack as one of the worst in many months, saying it “felt like the early days of the war”.

Monday 7^th October – Hamas launches rockets to Tel Aviv and Israel responds, ordering the evacuation of Khan Younis 

One year since the Hamas attacks of 7^th October 2023, Hamas launched 5 rockets into Israel from Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Israel intercepted these rockets, but 2 people have been wounded in Tel Aviv. In response to this attack, Israel has called for the evacuation of civilians in the Khan Younis area to the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi, and has said that the attack will be “met with extreme force”. Since the evacuation orders, Israeli warplanes have targeted the rocket launchers used in Khan Younis, and strikes continue across Gaza, killing at least 12 people.

Image by hosnysalah on Pixabay.