Monthly Event Reports
February 2024 | Palestinian Authority’s government dissolved
In late February, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and his cabinet tendered their resignations to President Mahmoud Abbas, indicating a shift towards the formation of a new technocratic government in the Palestinian territories amidst rising tensions in the West Bank and Gaza. This step was taken against a backdrop of political infighting, economic challenges, and strained relations with neighbouring states and international actors. The resignation could lead to potential restructuring or reforms within the Palestinian Authority and could also impact peace prospects in the region. The new government is expected to focus on the reconstruction of Gaza following the conflict and to operate independently of political factions, including Hamas. The potential formation of this government also raises questions about future elections, given the long-standing division between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah (the political party of President Abbas) in the West Bank, and the pressing need to address immediate crises before considering new electoral processes.
January 2024 | Humanitarian crisis escalates as war reaches 100-day mark
Conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, with Israeli attacks leading to the displacement of 85 per cent of Gaza's population. Over 1.4 million people are living in overcrowded and unsanitary humanitarian shelters. As of 30 January, the death toll exceeded 27,000, including over 10,000 children, while 218 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Healthcare facilities are grappling with both the high number of injuries from the conflict and the dire impact of the Israeli blockade, which has restricted entry of essential supplies, including food, water, fuel, and medicines. Hospitals are reportedly on the brink of collapse. Several countries’ suspension of funding to UNRWA following allegations of staff involvement in Hamas’ attacks has heightened the threat of famine. Moreover, there has been an unprecedented communications blackout, with several rights organizations expressing concern over the use of network blackouts as weapons. The Committee to Protect Journalists has also called for attention to the ‘devastating high’ in journalist killings in 2023.
October 2023 | Escalating violence and hostilities in Palestinian territories
In October 2023, the Israel-Palestine conflict intensified as war broke out in Gaza and violence intensified in the West Bank. This escalation began on 7 October, when Hamas-led groups from Gaza attacked Israel, killing as many as 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 200 hostages. Israel retaliated with a comprehensive counteroffensive, declaring war and enforcing a total siege on Gaza. The territory has been cut off from essential resources such as electricity, food, medicine, and water. This counterstrike caused substantial casualties and infrastructural damage in Gaza, including to healthcare facilities, schools, and residential areas. Although Israel claimed its primary targets were Hamas' political and military leaders, many civilian buildings and facilities were damaged or destroyed. The offensive led to the displacement of over 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, with about half sheltering in United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facilities. According to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry, this had resulted in over 9,000 Palestinian deaths, including more than 3,900 children, as of 4 November. This month has further marked the deadliest period for journalists covering the conflict since 1992. At least 36 journalists have been killed, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Meanwhile, in the West Bank, violent encounters between Israeli forces, settlers, and Palestinians resulted in numerous Palestinian deaths. Starting from 7 October, Israel enforced a complete closure of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, reportedly arresting 1,500 Palestinians. Israeli airstrikes on 19 and 22 October in the West Bank led to more than a dozen fatalities. Reports also surfaced of settler violence against Palestinians, causing further displacement.
July 2023 | West Bank sees most violent Israeli raid in recent years
In the midst of escalating tensions across the West Bank, the Israeli military conducted a large-scale operation in the densely populated Jenin refugee camp between 3 and 5 July. The offensive was the most significant since the Second Intifada (2000-2005), leaving at least 12 Palestinians killed and 143 wounded. Moreover, the operation damaged the camp’s infrastructure extensively, causing power outages, Internet cuts, sewer disruptions, and a lack of access to clean water. Israeli forces bulldozed roads and imposed access restrictions, impeding ambulance services. An estimated 3,500 residents were displaced. In retaliation, militants based in Gaza launched rockets towards Tel Aviv on 5 July. Israel responded with airstrikes in Gaza. Further incidents throughout July claimed the lives of at least 27 Palestinians and one Israeli. The operation in Jenin drew international criticism, with condemnations from the United Nations and a European envoy questioning the “proportionality” of Israeli force. Israel maintains that its raids in Jenin are targeted efforts to dismantle "terrorist infrastructure". However, experts have asserted that these actions constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions, suggesting that legal action should be initiated to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
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