Military operations in Gaza and Israel: a worrying impact on civilians

Statement by Federico Dessi, HI Regional Director for Middle-East | 12th May 2023, 15:00 GMT

On May 9th and May 10th, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes and shelling on multiple targets across the Gaza Strip, launching operation “Shield and Arrow”. In the afternoon of May 10th, Palestinian armed groups in Gaza responded by firing numerous rockets from multiple locations towards the State of Israel.

As of noon on May 11th, the Palestinian Health Ministry had confirmed the killing of 25 Palestinians, including 6 children and 3 women. 64 Palestinians have been reported injured, including 21 children and 8 women. Some of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition.

As of noon on May 11th, according to the Israeli authorities, around 400 rockets launched from Gaza crossed into Israel. At least 25 Israelis were injured while running to shelters, 10 of which required medical treatment for shock and anxiety and 15 for light wounds.

All crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel have been closed since May 9th and until further notice, impeding humanitarian relief items to cross inside Gaza and humanitarian cases in need of life-saving care to exit towards Israel or the West Bank. In addition, an unclarified number of people are impeded to either re-enter Gaza or exit it.

“HI supports the numerous efforts to reach a ceasefire and the opening of a humanitarian safe passage to Gaza. HI is extremely concerned by the possibility of further escalation which might transform the current military attacks into a full-blown war with thousands of victims. HI calls to all parties to the conflict to stop using explosive weapons in populated areas due to their impact on civilians, both directly during the military operations and indirectly through the dissemination of explosive remnants of war that might main or kill additional people in the future.”

Federico Dessi, HI Regional Director for Middle-East

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