Highlights
58 Palestinian civilians, including 11 women and 21 children, have been killed in Gaza, since the start of “Operation Protective Edge” on 7 July.
The targeting and destruction of residential buildings in Gaza continues to be the main cause of civilian casualties.
Some 70 homes have been targeted and totally destroyed. Overall, since the start of the operation, 342 housing units have been destroyed or severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes, displacing about 2,000 people who are being hosted by relatives.
Five health facilities have suffered damage after air strikes in their vicinities. Gaza hospitals treating injuries are affected by severe shortages of medical supplies and fuel needed to operate backup generators.
Indiscriminate rocket firing by armed groups from Gaza has targeted main Israeli population centres, but has resulted in no serious casualties so far.
 1,800,00 Affected people in the Gaza Strip
4,000,000 Under threat of rocket fire in Israel
58 Palestinians civilians killed
570 Palestinians injured
342 Housing units destroyed or severely damaged in Gaza
2,050 People displaced
Situation Overview
Overview
The Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, codenamed “Protective Edge”, entered its third day. Since the start on the night of 7 July 2014, Israeli forces have carried out hundreds of intense aerial and navy bombardment operations throughout the Gaza Strip, targeting military installations, rocket launching sites and the residences of alleged members of armed groups. Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas’ military wing, have fired hundreds of rockets at Israeli urban centres, including the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem metropolitan areas. The vast majority of these rockets have fallen in open areas, or have been intercepted by the Iron Dome system. A number of Israelis have suffered light injuries or being treated for shock, with limited damage to property reported.
- For more information, see “background on the crisis” at the end of the report
Since the start of the operation, at least 80 Palestinians, of whom at least 58 are believed to be civilians, including 21 children, have been killed by Israeli bombardment. Approximately 570 others, including 120 children and 160 women, have been injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Heath in Gaza.
Some 70 homes have been targeted and totally destroyed according to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR). Overall, since the start of the operation, 342 housing units destroyed or severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes, displacing about 2,000 people. One such attack overnight resulted in the killing of nine Palestinian males, including two children, while they were reportedly watching the World Cup in a beach cafeteria near Khan Younis. Another attack killed eight members of the Al Hai family, including two children, in Khan Younis refugee camp; the intended target is not known in either case. . In most cases, prior to the attacks, residents have been warned to leave the targeted building, either via phone calls by the Israel military or by the firing of warning missiles.
The uninterrupted waves of airstrikes and rocket fire have triggered widespread fear among the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel, particularly among children, with dozens having to be treated for shock. Today (10 July), Gaza residents in peripheral areas of the north, centre and south of the territory received warnings via telephone by Israel forces that they should evacuate these areas and move to adjoin urban areas, raising concerns that at a ground offensive and significant displacement may be imminent.
The streets of Gaza are mostly empty and almost all shops are closed. Due to a general strike and the hostilities, most government institutions were also closed, except for medical facilities. The Erez passengers crossing with Israel is open only for foreigners and urgent humanitarian cases, while the Rafah crossing with Egypt opened exceptionally today for the exit of injured Palestinians. The Kerem Shalom commercial crossing is functioning partially, allowing for the entry of only urgent humanitarian supplies and fuel. The Gaza Power Plant continues to function at half of its capacity, while electricity outages of 12 hours per day continue. Access to the sea is prohibited and all fishing activity has stopped: 3,000 fishermen are currently unable to continue their livelihoods. Farming areas have been targeted and destruction of agricultural livelihood has been reported.