Palestine Weekly | October 7–13, 2024 (Days 366–372)

October 7-13: Escalation and Siege - Gaza and Lebanon Under Fire Amid Mounting Civilian Crisis

This week marked an intense escalation in violence and humanitarian crises across Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) expanded their ground invasion in Gaza and intensified air raids over Lebanon. Israel’s use of heavy weaponry, including allegations of radioactive materials in southern Beirut, inflicted severe casualties on civilians and led to the forced displacement of thousands. Amid widespread violence, international responses remained limited, with the U.S. continuing its support for Israel despite rising concerns over human rights violations and humanitarian tolls.

Day 366

• Gaza: The IOF launched severe assaults on the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing at least 17 people, including nine children, a journalist, and a head official from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The use of ground forces and tanks in the area signaled the first such operations in months, leading to widespread evacuation orders. This displacement left families with few options as southern Gaza already struggled to accommodate the influx of evacuees. In a separate incident, 45 Palestinians were killed, and 256 were injured in targeted airstrikes across Gaza, underscoring the ongoing assault on densely populated areas with limited medical and humanitarian support.
• Lebanon: Israel's strikes on southern Beirut and nearby towns reportedly involved radioactive material, drawing heavy condemnation from humanitarian organizations. In Kayfoun, an air raid killed six and injured 13 more, part of a broader pattern of attacks that claimed 25 lives and left 96 wounded within a 24-hour span. Evacuation orders for 25 villages in southern Lebanon pointed to escalating military action, forcing thousands to flee amidst fears of further IOF incursions. Hezbollah responded by launching missiles at strategic Israeli locations, including Haifa and Safed, leaving ten Israelis injured. This exchange reflects the volatile situation on the Israel-Lebanon border, where the violence and human cost continue to mount.
• West Bank: Armed settlers, reportedly emboldened by IOF protection, attacked Palestinian farmers near Ramallah, injuring 11, including a child. Such attacks have grown in frequency and severity, demonstrating a pattern of coordinated settler aggression targeting Palestinian livelihoods. Meanwhile, IOF missiles struck Homs in Syria, killing one and injuring three others, extending the conflict’s reach across borders and highlighting the ongoing regional repercussions.

Day 367

• Gaza: Following an escalation of IOF ground operations in northern Gaza, particularly in Jabalia, casualties continued to rise. A reported 77 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours, with significant strikes overwhelming facilities like Kamal Adwan Hospital. The IOF’s bombardment targeted homes in Sheikh Radwan, Beit Lahiya, and Zeitoun, areas already facing extreme deprivation and displacement. Hamas responded by firing rockets into Tel Aviv, contradicting Israeli claims of neutralizing Hamas' military wing. This back-and-forth underscored the increasing intensity of combat operations across both civilian and military zones.
• Lebanon: IOF air raids and artillery strikes led to over 22 deaths and 92 injuries across Beirut and southern Lebanon. Following orders to evacuate over 130 towns along the coastline, Hezbollah launched an intense retaliation, firing over 130 rockets at multiple Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv. This retaliation marked one of Hezbollah’s largest coordinated responses, intensifying the already fragile security situation and suggesting an ongoing escalation of cross-border hostilities.
• International Costs: As the United States continued to support Israel’s military actions, the financial toll on American taxpayers surpassed $22.8 billion, igniting discussions over the long-term consequences of such funding amidst rising civilian casualties in the region. The scale of support highlights both the commitment and controversy surrounding U.S. involvement in the ongoing violence.

Day 368

• Gaza: The IOF ordered a full evacuation of three major hospitals in northern Gaza, Kamal Adwan, Indonesian, and Al-Awda. These hospitals had been inundated with injured and displaced Palestinians, and the forced evacuation has placed thousands of patients, including premature infants and critical care patients, in peril. In the same area, the IOF continued to enforce a siege on Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, and Jabalia, blocking essential resources such as food and medical supplies and rendering the streets perilous with the bodies of those killed remaining uncollected due to ongoing gunfire. The dire situation in northern Gaza reflects the deteriorating humanitarian landscape, with survivors facing extreme shortages and threats from unyielding military operations.
• Lebanon: IOF bombings killed 36 and injured 150 Lebanese civilians within a single day, including residents forced to shelter in tents along Beirut’s beaches. The World Health Organization issued warnings about disease outbreaks, particularly concerning hepatitis A and diarrheal diseases due to deteriorating sanitary conditions and limited healthcare. This escalation further strained Lebanon’s infrastructure, already reeling from constant bombardments and facing critical shortages in medical supplies and personnel.

Day 369

• Gaza: As Israel intensified its week-long siege and ground invasion in northern Gaza, Jabalia refugee camp became completely encircled, with over 400,000 residents trapped and bombarded with limited escape routes. Israeli forces established checkpoints at the sole exit, shooting at civilians attempting to flee. IOF bombings on hospital courtyards and residential areas killed dozens, including a family of nine in Shujaiya and 15 displaced people sheltering in tents outside a bombed hospital. The targeting of shelters and hospitals illustrates a deliberate strategy to block all potential safe havens for Gaza’s civilian population, forcing residents to remain exposed to relentless attacks with no means of medical or humanitarian support.
• Journalist Attacks: Four journalists covering the Jabalia assault were shot by IOF snipers, killing two, including photojournalist Mohammed al-Tanani, and critically injuring two others, including Al Jazeera cameraman Fahd al-Wahidi. The assault on press members signifies an apparent attempt to limit independent reporting on the atrocities unfolding in Gaza. Witnesses reported that journalists displaying clear press markings were deliberately targeted, raising serious concerns about freedom of the press in conflict zones.
• Lebanon: At least 22 people were killed and 80 wounded in Lebanon as Israeli bombardments extended to regions previously spared. Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Lebanon, claiming that the country could face “destruction and suffering” similar to Gaza. This threat escalates fears of wider conflict, with IOF airstrikes reaching displacement shelters in al-Wardaniyah and paramedic stations in Tyre, killing five displaced civilians and four paramedics. The continuous strikes on Lebanon’s essential services signal an alarming disregard for humanitarian considerations, compounding the crisis facing Lebanese civilians.

Day 370

• Gaza: In Deir al-Balah, the IOF bombed a school-turned-shelter housing hundreds of displaced civilians, killing 28 and injuring 54. The strike left survivors with severe burns and traumatic injuries, overwhelming nearby al-Aqsa Hospital, which lacks the supplies to treat the influx of casualties. Elsewhere in central Gaza, residential blocks sustained heavy bombing, and attacks on Kamal Adwan and other hospitals led to forced evacuations. With no safe zones or operational hospitals remaining in northern Gaza, civilians are left exposed, with the humanitarian situation reaching critical levels.
• Lebanon: IOF bombed densely populated residential areas in Beirut’s center, killing 22 and injuring 117, marking the third major expansion of bombings into the city center this week. The strikes prompted urgent international calls for de-escalation, though concrete action remains absent. Despite mounting pressure, Israel’s expansion of its military campaign into urban centers demonstrates a calculated approach to weaken civilian morale and disrupt Lebanon’s already fragile infrastructure.
• West Bank: Israel’s military offensive in the West Bank intensified with airstrikes on Tulkarem and Hebron, killing multiple residents, including a 66-year-old Palestinian man beaten by Israeli forces. Simultaneously, Israeli settlers rampaged through Palestinian towns, with 50 settlers attacking farmers near Ramallah, resulting in severe injuries. The increase in settler violence, alongside the IOF’s aggressive raids, underscores an organized effort to displace Palestinians and further destabilize the region.

Day 371

• Gaza: Another deadly airstrike hit Jabalia, killing over 22 Palestinians and injuring 30 others, with reports indicating several people remain trapped under the rubble. The ongoing IOF siege of northern Gaza continues to block essential humanitarian aid, as Israeli forces restrict UN and World Health Organization missions from reaching hospitals and evacuation sites. Medical professionals describe the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic,” with bodies accumulating in the streets and survivors struggling for resources as even temporary shelters become uninhabitable.
• Lebanon: Casualties continued to rise in Lebanon, with 60 reported deaths within a 24-hour period as IOF bombings targeted southern cities, including Nabatieh, where a market attack ignited fires across the area. Israel’s strikes on Lebanon’s army posts killed two soldiers and wounded three others, exacerbating regional tensions. Lebanese leaders condemned the attacks, warning of a growing crisis in southern Lebanon where residents face relentless air raids and displacement with limited access to safe shelter.
• International Response: Nicaragua severed diplomatic ties with Israel, condemning its actions as “fascist” and “genocidal,” signaling growing international disapproval of Israel’s tactics. This move, coupled with ongoing debates within the European Union over arms exports to Israel, illustrates shifting attitudes among global actors as the severity of Israel’s campaign gains international scrutiny. Despite this, active measures remain limited, leaving millions across Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank exposed to the continuing onslaught.

Day 372

• Gaza: The eighth day of Israel’s siege on northern Gaza saw airstrikes turning Jabalia into “uninhabitable ruins,” with residential buildings and infrastructure destroyed. Reports from the Palestinian Civil Defense indicate that over 400,000 residents in Gaza’s north are trapped without access to food, clean water, or basic necessities, leading to cases of starvation. The Israeli military enforced additional evacuation orders, despite knowing that no secure locations remain, compounding the suffering of civilians who now face constant life-threatening conditions.
• Health Crisis: Hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, al-Awda, and the Indonesian Hospital, are on the brink of collapse. Medical personnel report severe shortages of essential supplies, with patients lying untreated due to lack of capacity and resources. Human rights organizations have documented that the IOF is actively blocking medical evacuations and shooting at ambulances, escalating fears of a looming public health disaster. The World Health Organization has flagged the potential for outbreaks of cholera and other preventable diseases due to the unhygienic conditions and the sheer volume of unburied bodies.
• Lebanon: Intense air raids struck northern Lebanon, marking only the second such attack in the region, killing 11 civilians. Strikes on marketplaces and residential areas in Nabatieh led to additional casualties and extensive property damage, while Israeli forces continued incursions into southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s retaliatory rocket fire struck northern Israeli cities, including Haifa, illustrating the sustained and increasingly dangerous exchange of fire across the Lebanon-Israel border. The death toll in Lebanon continues to climb, further destabilizing a country already on the edge of a humanitarian breakdown.

As Israel’s military operations escalate across Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank, the week’s events highlight the unfolding humanitarian disaster affecting millions. Israeli forces' systematic targeting of shelters, hospitals, and densely populated civilian areas suggests a coordinated campaign to instill fear and devastate infrastructure, with international condemnations falling short of meaningful intervention. With medical and humanitarian aid systematically obstructed, the future remains perilous for civilians throughout the affected regions, where hope for reprieve grows increasingly faint.