Gaza pumping stations stop, sewage is "flowing in the streets"

Wounded Palestinians sit on the floor at Nasser hospital following Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis on Saturday (photo)

Israeli forces committed 20 massacres, wiping out entire families, kill 9 Palestinians in West Bank, Israeli military kills hostage it’s trying to rescue, Blinken bypasses weapons sale protocol for Israel

Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) casts lone “nay” on pro-Israel resolution, prominent Jewish organizations launch new centralized communications operation to advocate for Israel

Palestinian Olympic Committee: Israel has killed athletes, destroyed athletic venues and dreams in Gaza

Humanitarian update

Gaza official accuses Israeli troops of carrying out ‘gruesome massacres’: Hundreds have been killed and thousands wounded, Gaza’s health ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra says. “Over the past few hours, 210 martyrs [deaths] and 2,300 injuries have been admitted to hospitals with a significant number of victims still trapped under rubble and in the streets.”

Israeli forces “committed 20 appalling massacres, wiping out entire families”, he added.

Al-Qudra said two paramedics were wounded when Israeli forces targeted an ambulance while it was working to evacuate wounded patients from Gaza’s European Hospital.

Flowing sewage increases concerns of disease: The Gaza municipality reports sewage is flowing in the streets after all pumping stations ceased operations because of the lack of fuel. In the absence of toilets for displaced people who recently arrived in Rafah, open air defecation has also become widespread, increasing concerns of disease spreading, particularly during rains and related flooding, the UN agency OCHA says.

Severe hunger found in 36% of Gaza households: WFP: Moderate hunger is found in another 52 percent, the UN’s World Food Program says. In 91 percent of households, respondents reported going to bed hungry, and 63 percent reported enduring entire days without food. The situation is significantly worse in the north, the agency said.

Hospital surrounded: For the second consecutive day, Al Awda Hospital in Jabalia is surrounded by Israeli troops and tanks, and fighting is ongoing in its vicinity. On 8 December, a doctor in this facility was reportedly shot and killed. This is one of the two hospitals in the north that has been partially operational and admitting patients. Another two hospitals are providing just dialysis treatment.

RECOMMENDED VIEWING: Risk of starvation: Worsening shortages of food and water in Gaza

The following are among the deadliest incidents reported in the past 24 hours, involving the striking of residential buildings:

On 7 December, at about 15:50, thirty Palestinians were reportedly killed when a house was hit in Al Dorj neighborhood, east of Gaza city;
On 7 December, at about 21:40, 35 people were reportedly killed when two houses were hit in eastern Gaza city;
On 8 December, at about 8:15, 13 Palestinians were reportedly killed when a residential building was hit in An Nuseirat Camp, Middle Area;
On 8 December, at about 10:00, nine people were reportedly killed when a residential building was hit in western Khan Yunis.

UN alarmed at Israeli strikes on schools, hospitals in north Gaza: In the past week, the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territories said it has recorded at least 13 strikes on or in the vicinities of schools in northern Gaza and Gaza City. It also recorded at least 15 strikes on or in the vicinity of hospitals. “These schools are sheltering thousands of displaced civilians, and in some instances, these strikes have killed or injured them,” the office said.

Other Gaza news

Evacuation orders: The Israeli army has called on civilians in the north of the Strip to evacuate to “known shelters” west of Gaza City. It also said that fighting in the south continues, but that civilians can pass through a road west of Khan Younis. They say there is also going to be a four-hour “tactical suspension of military activities” in certain areas of the southern city of Rafah.

Instructions from the Israeli army have generated chaos and fear among civilians who have repeatedly said that no place is safe as Israeli air strikes continue to pound the entire strip, from north to south. Areas and routes that have been indicated as safe in previous weeks, have then been struck multiple times. Here is an example:

Update from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, which was targeted by Israeli forces earlier today:

Israeli jets have attacked a number of buildings here and killed a lot of residents, including women and children.

This area was described as a safe area by Israeli army, that’s why there are so many displaced people here. Survivors are trying to rescue those injured. The state of destruction is massive and it’s very difficult to rescue those injured. There is no equipment and everyone, including the rescue officials, is using their hands to remove the rubble.

West Bank, Jerusalem news

Israeli forces kill six Palestinians in Al-Fara’a refugee camp: Six Palestinian civilians were killed and several others were injured Friday morning during an Israeli military raid into the Al-Far’a refugee camp, in the northern West Bank province of Tubas. Eyewitnesses recounted that Israeli soldiers attempted to obstruct the passage of Red Crescent ambulances, preventing them from reaching the wounded for some time. Among the dead was a 14-year-old boy.

A seventh Palestinian, Rami Jamal al-Jundub, 25, was pronounced dead Saturday.

Another Palestinian killed: On Saturday morning, Israeli forces shot, then arrested Palestinian Sari Yousef Amr, 25, during a raid of the town of Dura, south of Hebron. They denied him medical treatment before taking him and his brother away. He has died of his wounds.

Yet another: A 17-year-old Palestinian, identified as Mahmoud Abu Haniya, was shot dead this evening by Israeli occupation forces in the town of Azzun, in the occupied West Bank governorate of Qalqilya, according to local sources.

Palestinian teen shot during funeral procession: A Palestinian teenager sustained moderate-to-serious wounds after being shot by Israeli forces’ live fire, and dozens of others suffocated by tear gas during confrontations in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron. Israeli forces fired live bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas bombs at residents during a funeral procession.

Palestinian Olympic Committee: Israel has killed athletes, destroyed athletic venues and dreams in Gaza: The Palestinian Olympic Committee said that Israel has killed many athletes, including 47 players from various team and individual sports and 17 technicians and administrators, in addition to five arrests and many physical injuries [read the full story here].

Israel news

Israeli rescue attempt thwarted: IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari announced on Friday evening that two Israeli soldiers were wounded during an operation to rescue hostages from within Gaza. Hagari added that no hostages were rescued in the operation. What he failed to mention at the time was that in the attempt, the Israeli soldiers also killed the hostage they were trying to rescue.

Israeli National Security Council head says war will last for months: Speaking during an interview with N12 news, Tzachi Hanegbi said the war would last for months, and possibly longer. He said the US has not given a timeline for the conflict for Israel.

Hanegbi also said that if Hezbollah does not withdraw its special forces from the southern Lebanon border with Israel the military have to “act militarily” to restore order.

The firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups towards Israeli population centers has continued over the past 24 hours, with no reported fatalities.

(Information on rocket attacks is here.) It appears that the last time a rocket killed an Israeli was October 7-8, as reported by Ha’aretz and the Times of Israel. 15 Israelis were killed – 10 of them Palestinian Israelis who reportedly had no access to bomb shelters. Rockets have killed a total of 35 Israelis over the 22 years they’ve been fired.

Latest from US and elsewhere

Blinken bypasses weapons sale protocol for Israel: The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has taken the unusual step of issuing an emergency declaration in order to bypass congressional review for this potential weapons sale to Israel. On Friday night, the State Department transferred this declaration to the US Congress for the 13,000 tank shells to go to the Israeli military immediately.

The State Department notified congressional committees at 11 p.m. on Friday that it was moving ahead with the sale, valued at more than $106 million, even though Congress had not finished an informal review of a larger order from Israel for tank rounds.

This is not usually how weapon sales occur. Typically, there is a 20 day review period in which congressional committees can vet, ask questions, perhaps be critical or not approve such a transfer. None of that is going to happen now.

What should also be pointed out is how this is a discrepancy from the words of Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, just set earlier this week. He said the US wants Israel to increase its protection of civilians in Gaza and the US had seen a “gap” in Israel’s intent to protect civilians, and the actual results.

Near unanimous House vote on pro-Israel resolution: The U.S. House of Representatives voted 412-1, with one voting “present,” on Nov. 28 to reaffirm Israel’s right to exist. The resolution reads:

The House of Representatives reaffirms the State of Israel’s right to exist, recognizes that denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism, rejects calls for Israel’s destruction and the elimination of the only Jewish state and condemns the Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) cast the lone “nay,” while “Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) voted “present.”

Among the 21 who didn’t vote were Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a progressive “Squad” member, as well as Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the former House speaker.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib stated,

Both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live with democracy, safety, peace and human dignity. This resolution that ignores the existence of the Palestinian people brings us no closer to peaceful coexistence.

Israel does not have a right to carry out illegal occupation and apartheid, which will never lead to a just and lasting peace,” she added. “Unfortunately, this resolution is a one-sided attempt to rewrite history.

Massie wrote: “I agree with the title ‘Reaffirming the State of Israel’s Right to Exist’ and much of the language, but I’m voting ‘no’ on the resolution because it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel is not helpful.”

RECOMMENDED VIEWING: Influencers deserting Biden: Social media stars upset at president’s stance on Gaza

RIGHT NOW: #JewsForCeasefire are sitting in at @RepDwightEvans' office in Philadelphia and demanding he support an immediate, lasting ceasefire.

We've been making calls and visiting his office for two months. He still hasn't taken action.

We're not leaving until he does. pic.twitter.com/aalz8YBQlp

— IfNotNow🔥🕎 (@IfNotNowOrg) December 8, 2023

Watch Security Council vote on draft resolution S/2023/970 tabled by the UAE on the Middle East & the Palestinian question.https://t.co/s2F3xb4T2O

13 members in favour. The US voted against and the UK abstained.

Available in: لعربية 中文 English Français Русский Español pic.twitter.com/3fJLL2aTJX

— UN Web TV (@UNWebTV) December 8, 2023

Indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas into Israel & use of civilians as human shields is against laws of war, but doesn't absolve Israel of its own violations.

Int'l humanitarian law can't be applied selectively.

It's binding equally at all times & doesn't depend on reciprocity.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 9, 2023

Statistics as of Dec. 8:

Palestinian death toll: OCHA reports at least 17,289* (~17,016 in Gaza* (6,121 women and 7,870 children), and at least 273 in the West Bank). This does not include an estimated 7,780 more still buried under rubble. Euro-Med Monitor reports 20,360 Palestinian deaths.

*IAK does not yet include 471 Gazans killed in the Al Ahli hospital blast since the source of the projectile is being disputed; although much evidence points to Israel as the culprit, experts are still looking into the incident. Israel is blocking an international investigation. Israel killed more Palestinians in a little over a month after Oct. 7 than in all the previous 22 years combined.

Palestinian injuries: 49,867** (including at least 46,480 in Gaza** and 3,387 in the West Bank). **NOTE: it is impossible to provide an accurate number of injuries in Gaza due to the ongoing bombardment and communication disruption.

It remains unknown how many Americans are among the casualties. in Gaza**. About 1.9 million people have been displaced (about 85% of the population).

Reported Israeli death toll ~1,147 (7 killed in West Bank, 99 in Gaza), including 32 Americans, and 5,431 injured, approximately 36 children).

NOTE: It is unknown at this time how many of the deaths and injuries in Israel may have been caused by Israeli soldiers; additionally, since Israel has a policy of universal conscription, it is unknown how many of those attending the outdoor rave a few miles from Gaza on stolen Palestinian land were Israeli soldiers.

Find previous daily casualty figures and daily news updates here. For more news, go here and here. Live broadcast news from the region is here.

Hover over each bar for exact numbers.
Source: IsraelPalestineTimeline.org