Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal 2023 Early morning on the 7th October 2023, Hamas launched a multi-front (land, air and sea) operation â€˜Al-Aqsa Floodsâ€™ against Israel. This included over 1000 rockets fired at southern Israel and surrounding areas, reaching as far as Jerusalem. Members of armed groups entered into Israeli towns, communities, and military facilities near the Gaza Strip, killing and capturing Israeli forces and civilians. The Israeli military declared â€œa state of war alert,â€ and begun striking targets in the Gaza Strip. At least 20,000 internally displaced people are sheltering in 44 UNRWA schools, including 28 designated emergency shelters, in all areas in the Gaza Strip, except Khan Younis.Â 
People have been killed on both sides and hundreds injured. In response, Israel has launched operation â€˜Sword of Ironâ€™. It was reported that Hamas have gained control of the Erez crossing, and there are reports of multiple Israeli Defence Forces soldier bodies being taken into Gaza. Reports several Israeli individuals from southern Israeli cities have been taken as hostage. Hamas have allegedly taken control of or are now in multiple Israeli cities in the southern area, as well as police stations and Israeli Security Forces military positions. The IDF have closed roads near Gaza, as well as the Allenby bridge. Restrictions are in place in many other areas within rocket reach. Morning of the 8th October, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing artillery shells and guided missiles at IDF radar sites in Shebaa Farms (border of Lebanon and Israel, occupied by Israel).
Reports suggest that hundreds have been killed on both sides while thousands have been injured and require medical treatment. The impact of this violence is affecting communities on both sides. Humanitarian needs in Gaza were already high across sectors prior to this escalation. In Gaza, the latest violence comes on top of 16 years of restrictions on the movement of people and goods, which have hit the economy and life of residents. During hostilities, essential medical transfers cannot take place, fuel cannot be imported and medicines are becoming harder to find and more costly. There is a heavy reliance on generators for those who have them. Schools have been cancelled in many areas on both sides of the border. Roads have been shut, impacting ambulance routes.
On the 7th of October, the ICRC dispatched a truck of medical supplies (stretchers, beds, body bags) to a hospital in Gaza and are ready to provide further humanitarian assistance as required on both sides. ICRC are working on aligning movement wide key messaging to ensure language is neutral and impartial. The ICRC donated 280 body bags and 12 stretchers to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. IFRC are working on movement wide coordination. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, confrontations have been increasing in multiple locations. As of 17:00 on the 7th of October the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported to have treated 23 Palestinians injured by Israeli forces. PRCS also reported seven Palestinians injured by Israeli settlers.
As of the 8th of OctoberÂ according to Israeli sources, at least 677 Israelis, including possibly also foreign nationals, were killed and at least 2,000 people were injured, making it the deadliest attack in Israel in decades.Â Media reports estimate the number killed to be much higher. According to Israeli sources, more than 50 Israeli forces personnel and Israeli civilians, including women and children, were captured and forcibly taken into Gaza. As of 20:00, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 413 Palestinians have been killed and 2,300 others injured. An additional 13 Palestinians, including one child, were killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank. As of 21:00, 123,538 Palestinians had been displaced in Gaza.
Please see PIMS page for information on previous response: OPT/Israel Conflict Escalation 2021