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UNRWA Situation Report #65 on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem (All information from 14-15 January 2024, is valid as of 15 January 2024 at 22:30)

UNRWA

18 Jan 2024

Key points

The Gaza Strip

As of 15 January 2024, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities has increased by one to 151. As of 16 January, up to 1.7 million* people (over 75 per cent of the population) have been displaced across the Gaza Strip, some multiple times. Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Following intense Israeli bombardments and fighting in Khan Younis and Middle Areas in recent days, a significant number of displaced people have moved again further south.

*This includes 1 million individuals residing in or near emergency shelters or informal shelters. As of October 12, approximately 160,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were recorded in north Gaza and Gaza governorates. The ability of UNRWA to provide humanitarian support and updated data in these areas has been severely restricted. The ongoing hostilities, evacuation orders issued by Israeli Forces, and the constant need for safer locations have resulted in people being displaced multiple times.

**UNRWA has reported in Situation Report 64 that up to 1.9 million IDPs are either residing in 154 UNRWA shelters or near these shelters. Due to the continued escalation of fighting and evacuation orders, some households have moved away from the shelters where they were initially registered.

• There are instances where the same IDPs are registered in multiple shelters due to the fluid movement of populations; hereafter, estimates are used for these shelters. UNRWA plans to conduct a more accurate count of IDPs in shelters, including informal shelters, as soon as the security situation allows.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem

West Bank updates are provided twice weekly and cover updates from 11 -15 January.

On January 11 and 12 the following Israeli Security Forces (ISF) search and arrest operations occurred:

Continuation of search and arrest operations in Tulkarm city, Tulkarm camp and Nur Shams refugee camp, northern West Bank on 11 January. ISF closed all entrances to Nur Shams Camp, and snipers reportedly occupied the rooftops around the camp. Early in the morning on 12 January, ISF reportedly blocked the main streets of Tulkarm refugee camp with earth mounds. Severe destruction of infrastructure was reported in the city and camps. ISF reportedly opened fire in the vicinity of Adora settlement, near Idhna, southern West Bank. Three Palestinians, including two children, were killed. Overnight on 13 January, ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in the houses of the three Palestinians killed. ISF reportedly assaulted their family members, detained several Palestinians and confiscated vehicles.

On 13 January the following ISF search and arrest operations occurred:

ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Far'a Camp, northern West Bank. ISF vehicles reportedly surrounded the camp for several hours, entered multiple houses and buildings, and positioned snipers. An ISF bulldozer reportedly damaged infrastructure in the camp, including the wall opposite a health centre. Five people, including one minor, were injured during the exchange of fire. At least nine men were detained and released. ISF reportedly fired live ammunition towards an Al Jazeera journalist's vehicle. The operation ended in the late evening. UNRWA operations in the camp were severely affected. An exchange of fire took place between Palestinians and ISF in Jenin city and Jenin refugee camp, northern West Bank. ISF reportedly surrounded all hospitals in Jenin city and a military bulldozer destroyed infrastructure.

On 14 January the following ISF search and arrest operations occurred:

ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Biddya, northern West Bank, and detained 15 Palestinian labourers from Gaza. One Palestinian child was shot dead in clashes between Palestinians and ISF, during a search and arrest operation in Ein el -Sultan Camp, central West Bank. Palestinian chidlren were shot dead in clashes between Palestinians and ISF near Beit El/DCO checkpoint, north of Al Bireh city, central West Bank.

On 15 January the following ISF search and arrest operations occurred:

An exchange of fire took place between ISF and Palestinians in the vicinity of Annab and Jbara checkpoints, south of Tulkarm, northern West Bank. One Palestinian Security Forces Officer was killed and another two were injured with live ammunition. ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in Dura, southern West Bank. Two Palestinians, including a woman, were killed, and 10 Palestinians, including a journalist, were injured with live ammunition. A general strike was declared to mourn the deaths.
Two Palestinians reportedly carried out a ramming attack and stabbed Israelis in Ra'anana city, Israel. One woman was killed and some 19 others were reported injured. ISF conducted a search and arrest operation in the city and detained two Palestinians.