Humanitarian Access Snapshot - Gaza Strip | October 2024

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION: KEY FIGURES

Denial of Access to North Gaza and Life Saving operations

During October, humanitarian organizations submitted 53 requests to the Israeli authorities to access North Gaza governorate. Of those requests, thirty-three (33) were rejected outright, nine (9) were facilitated and eleven (11) were initially accepted but then faced impediments on the way. An additional nineteen (19) movement requests were submitted to Israeli authorities to pick up humanitarian supplies from West Erez crossing, of which six (6) were denied, twelve (12) impeded and one (1) withdrawn.

With the intensification of Israeli military operations starting on 6 October in North Gaza, fighting resulted in forced displacement and the destruction or damage to critical civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities. Men, women, and children have been caught up in the violence. In one week alone, OCHA submitted five requests to reach those trapped under the rubble, all of which were denied.

From 6 to 31 October, no humanitarian movements were facilitated by the Israeli authorities to Jabalya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, the main towns in North Gaza. During this period, thirty-six (36) mission requests were submitted to access these areas, of which twenty-seven (27) were denied and nine (9) were impeded. Of the impeded missions, only three (3) were able to fulfill some of their objectives and three (3) were impeded so significantly it was not possible to achieve any movement objectives. In addition, 14 Erez West humanitarian cargo pick up missions intended to distribute humanitarian supplies in Jabalya were not facilitated to reach people in dire need of assistance.

Attempts to coordinate the evacuation of an injured UN staff member from the Jabalya area was also denied, with Israeli authorities suggesting that this person could attempt to be carried out on foot by relatives waving white flags to identify themselves.

Access to medical care has been severely affected by Israeli military actions in North Gaza. As Kamal Adwan hospital came under intensified threat from fighting and critical medical supplies dwindled, requests to transfer severely ill patients to Al Shifa hospital were denied on 8 and 9 October, only to be permitted on 10 October. On 12 October, during the transfer of critically ill patients an ambulance driver was stripped, blindfolded, and restrained at a checkpoint by the Israeli soldiers, despite being part of the approved convoy. Israeli soldiers also instructed a UN staff to position their vehicle so to shield military personnel during this incident.

On 20 October, a coordinated mission to Kamal Adwan hospital was prevented from delivering essential medical supplies —including blood, anesthesia and fuel— allowing only patient transfers to Al Shifa hospital. This decision blocked vital resources from reaching the hospital, leaving patients in dire need. Patients waited five hours in the back of ambulances as their forward movement to Al Shifa hospital could not be facilitated due to the intensity of military activity, resulting in the humanitarian team having to stay overnight at the hospital to attempt the transfer the following day. The caregiver of a patient was detained at an ad hoc checkpoint en route to Gaza city, with no subsequent information provided on their status.

During a similar mission on 28 October, intended to deliver medical supplies, fuel, and food to Kamal Adwan hospital and transfer critically ill patients, three patients were detained by Israeli forces at a checkpoint; only two were allowed to continue with the convoy.

Beyond obstructing supplies and denying access to medical care for those in need, medical staff have faced distressing conditions as they attempt to provide lifesaving care. Medical facilities have sustained extensive damage, and medical personnel have been placed in life-threatening situations. In a particularly concerning case, several medical professionals, including an orthopedic surgeon from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), were detained by Israeli forces at Kamal Adwan hospital. Efforts to confirm his status and ensure his wellbeing have so far been unsuccessful.

Access Constraints on Humanitarian Goods

There continues to be a lack of an enabling environment to bring in sufficient humanitarian goods and commodities to the Gaza strip. Particularly with winter approaching, it is more vital than ever to bring in humanitarian supplies such as shelter materials, clothing, fuel and food.

Transporting goods along the ‘Airport Road’ from Kerem Shalom / Karm Abu Salem up to the Shouka junction is nearly impossible under current conditions. The road itself is in very poor condition, with deep sand covering large sections that make navigation difficult. The anticipated rainfall will only exacerbate these challenges, making passage for any vehicle even more treacherous.

Beyond the physical obstacles, organized armed looting and violence, fueled by the breakdown of public order and safety have severely impacted security. Many contractors are unwilling to use this route, and humanitarian agencies have a duty not to transfer risk or endanger individuals. Additionally, contractual obligations to donors mandate the prevention of theft, loss, and looting of aid, further limiting the ability of humanitarians to use this route without a viable alternative. The looting has grown increasingly organized and persistent. Law enforcement officials from Gaza are unable to secure the area, as they risk coming under fire from Israeli forces.

The uplift of cargo from crossing points into Gaza was significantly curtailed in October. Due to Israeli public holidays, crossings such as Kerem Shalom, Erez, and Erez West were closed for a total of nine days in October. This closure reduced the number of operational days for humanitarian cargo pickups by almost one third. In addition, on Fridays and Saturdays, movement on the external Fence Road is not allowed due to shortened operating hours, and a further four movements on the Fence Road were denied throughout the rest of the month. Moreover, six movements to Erez West were denied in October, further reducing the ability to bring humanitarian goods into northern Gaza. Of those movements which were approved to collect cargo from Erez West, the ability to offload and distribute in North Gaza locations such as Jabalya was persistently denied.

[1] Northern Gaza refers to locations north of the Wadi Gaza, which covers two governorates. North Gaza refers to the northern most governorate in the Gaza strip, which includes Jabaliya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun.