Weekly summary of the War on Gaza, July 12
- On July 1st, the Israeli military ordered Palestinians living to the east of Khan Younis, approximately 250,000 people, to move to the western part of the city. This “safe” area was then destroyed by Israeli bombs, suggesting that Israel is using psychological warfare, spreading panic amongst Palestinians with no warnings when bombings will start in supposed safe zones. On July 2nd, the Israeli military said that its operation in Khan Younis had ended, prompting Palestinians to the east of Khan Younis to return. On July 9th, an Israeli airstrike targeted Al-Mutanabi School in the Awda area, killing at least 30 Palestinians and injuring dozens.
- Similarly, on July 7th, the Israeli army ordered Palestinians living in the Shujaiya and Altufah neighborhoods to evacuate to the west and south of Gaza City. On the same day, the Israeli army sent tanks into the areas people evacuated to, leaving Palestinians with nowhere to go. Intense Israeli shelling and bombing hit these areas.
- Dozens of Palestinians were killed. Israeli snipers targeted anyone who attempted to return. Palestinians describe that night as “hell on Earth,” with some speaking of moving to six different places within twelve hours because of intense airstrikes.
- Dozens of families were forced to walk miles to the southern Gaza Strip through the Nitzarim corridor, a military road and checkpoint built by Israel after October 7th to divide Gaza into north and south. Palestinians who made this journey spoke of having dogs unleashed against them and being interrogated before being allowed to cross.
- On July 10th, the Israeli military dropped leaflets urging all Palestinians in Gaza City and the north of Gaza to move to the south after summary executions were reported by local family members of those who chose to stay.
- The Lancet, a reputable British medical journal, suggested the number of deaths in Gaza since October 7 could reach up to 186,000.
- In Al-Nusierat, the Israeli military targeted the home of the Fireeh family, killing 17 of them, 14 of whom were children.
- Al-Jazeera published a video showing Israeli settlers setting aid trucks going into Gaza on fire.
- The Israeli operation in Shujayia, Sabra, and Tal Al-Hawa came to an end on July 11. In Tal Al-Hawa, 60 bodies were uncovered after Israeli forces left. In Al-Shujayia, 86 bodies of Palestinians who were executed by the Israeli army were found, including the bodies of six family members from the Al-Khatib family who were found in their home. In Al-Shujayia, a young man with Down syndrome was found killed after Israeli forces arrested his three brothers, unleashing dogs on him that mauled his body as he touched the dog’s face, according to his family.
- Starvation is continuing to spread, as the US announced dismantling the US pier off the Gaza coast due to its failure to carry out the task of delivering aid. Meanwhile, the Biden administration approved sending thousands of new bombs to Israel.
- Israeli forces have also destroyed Asidqa Al-Marid Hospital during the Gaza City military operation, which had been renovated just two weeks ago.
