Oxfam reaction to the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip

Despite several failed ceasefire attempts between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, no agreement has yet been reached. Vital crossings for people and goods remain closed.

Shane Stevenson, Oxfam Country Director in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel said:

“Civilians in Gaza are once again paying the price for the failures of political leaders to negotiate a just solution and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis. Instead, we are witnessing yet another cycle of death, damage, and destruction that brings us no closer to addressing the root causes of the crisis and is driving further human rights violations, poverty and suffering, particularly for a generation of children and young Palestinians.

“The UN Security Council, convening today, must call upon the Government of Israel to end all violence and immediately open crossings to ensure the movement of people, and humanitarian and medical relief items into the Gaza Strip. While they fail to act Palestinians in Gaza remain trapped, under siege, and with nowhere to flee for safety”.

Key numbers since the outbreak of violence on 9 May (as per 11 May 1600 hrs. CET): 

• 25 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli airstrikes, including six children and three women, and over 76 civilians reported wounded including women and children.
• No one has been killed in Israel by rockets launched from Gaza but several injuries were reported due to rockets fired in the southern part of Israel.
• More than 300 rockets and mortar shells launched at Israel by Palestinian armed factions including Palestinian Islamic Jihad. 62 were intercepted by Israel’s iron dome defence system and 65 fell within the Gaza Strip.
• An initial assessment conducted by the local Ministry of Public Work and Housing indicates that Israeli attacks have resulted in the destruction of 167 housing units, with 11 completely destroyed, 26 suffering severe damage and 130 sustained partial damages impacting around 190 people.
• Two Palestinians in Jenin were killed yesterday in clashes with the Israeli army in Jenin and another person died today of his injury from yesterday.
• Clashes erupted due to military raids in Nablus on 9 May following the Israeli airstrikes where a 14-year-old was critically wounded.
• Since the beginning of the year, at least 101 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers or forces, and Palestinian attacks have killed 19 Israelis.

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