Palestine Situation Report | June 2024

For more information, including sources cited, read our full situation report.

Displacement, lack of access to menstrual supplies, dissolution of the healthcare system and profound food shortages continue to cause harm to all Gazans. In the West Bank, escalating tensions and violence between Palestinians and Israeli settlers and authorities are producing ruined homes and dangerous living circumstances.

The flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza has decreased an additional 67% since May 7. Despite severe food shortages throughout Gaza, especially in the north, 41% of all food missions in February and March were denied by Israeli authorities.

Internally Displaced People

Due to continued hostilities, 78% of the Gaza Strip is under evacuation orders. As a result of this widespread displacement, many Internally Displaced People (IDPs) have been forced to take shelter in open spaces like roads and agricultural lands. There is a huge need for supplies like tents and wood to make shelters, but fuel to transport those items and safe locations in which to build them are both limited. 

In northern Gaza, 75% of solid waste is dumped in the street without any controls or sanitation services, flooding streets with sewage and creating conditions for deadly waterborne diseases. Disease rates are expected to rise without electricity or fuel to restore water and sanitation facilities. 

Israeli authorities have been carrying out home demolitions in the West Bank regularly since October 7, displacing 1,974 Palestinians. Due to attacks on schools, UNRWA has also been limited in its capacity to shelter these displaced families.

Health and Healthcare

Palestinians now compose 80% of those facing famine globally. Today, 90% of the population endures entire days without food, and 31% of children under two in northern Gaza suffer from severe wasting.

In the West Bank, Israel rescinded the Palestinian work permits necessary to travel between different zones. Now many without income and reduced access to agricultural land face increased food insecurity as well.

In both Gaza and the West Bank, the number of attacks on healthcare facilities has risen drastically. The sudden cessation of medical evacuations after the closure of the Rafah Crossing exacerbated the severe shortage of hospital beds in Gaza. 

Only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are functioning, and even those are only partially operating. Due to fuel shortages, all of them are struggling to maintain critical operations such as powering generators and caring for ICU patients like newborns and pregnant women. 

Gaza’s population of 690,000 menstruating people are all experiencing a critical shortage of sanitary products and water and hygiene facilities. Many have resorted to using rags and other unclean materials, at the same time that nearly 75% have no privacy for washing.

Military Violence

Since October 7, at least 37,431 people have been killed and 85,653 injured in Gaza due to Israel’s offensive. In the West Bank, there have been 896 reported Israeli settler attacks since October 8, resulting in deaths, injuries and property damage. 

Recent military escalations in Gaza included the occupation of Rafah and the subsequent border closure to Egypt, preventing medical evacuations and the entry of aid. In addition, the Gaza Government Media Office reported that there may be around 7,500 tons of unexploded munitions across Gaza.

Anera’s Response

Anera has been steadily providing humanitarian aid to Gaza since October 7. As of June 21, we have sent 698 truckloads of supplies into Gaza, including over 30 million meals, 5,616,606 medical treatments, 23,056 blankets, 3,058 tents and 5,380 mattresses. 

Hygiene and sanitation are crucial in emergencies, and Anera has responded by distributing 36,359 hygiene kits and 382,709 bottles of water. The organization has also distributed 38,332 packs of menstrual pads, recognizing the specific needs of menstruating people  in emergencies.

Anera has facilitated access to healthcare services by organizing 130 free health clinic days near shelters. Anera has also conducted 325 psychosocial support sessions with guided self-expression activities for children, recognizing the need for young children to have an expressive outlet for their emotional well-being.