Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) Palestine Situation Report #37 – Reporting period (09/07/2024 to 15/07/2024)

15 July 2024

Highlights

• On 10 July, the ETC field coordinator joined the inter-agency assessment focusing on identifying the telecommunications, internet connectivity, and power solution needs in the Al Bureij and Al Maghazi camps for displaced people in Deir Al Balah. Community members expressed that they are unable to register at the self-registration sites and access educational materials due to poor connectivity.
• On 09 July, the ETC coordinator met with the Office of the Quartet and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)—Jawwal and Ooredoo—to discuss the challenges and way forward for telecommunications operators. The meeting highlighted the need for fuel, spare parts, and safe access to repairs and restoration of services. The ETC is engaging with key stakeholders to ensure the availability of fuel and equipment to keep telecommunications services operational.
• The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) approved an additional 29 Track241 devices for the use of seven UN agencies in Gaza. The ETC facilitated the submission of approval requests and coordination of the consolidated procurement of 73 devices intended for the use of 11 UN agencies on 30 June. The ETC is following up on the approval of the remaining devices.

Situation overview

The security situation in Gaza remains volatile due to the continuing hostilities. Israeli bombardment from the air, land, and sea, as well as ground incursions and heavy fighting continue to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip, resulting in further civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of houses and other civilian infrastructure.

On 10 July, the Israeli military airdropped leaflets informing residents of Gaza City that two designated “humanitarian routes” were available for them to evacuate southwards to Deir Al Balah City and the Az Zawayda area. This announcement followed two evacuation orders by the Israeli military on 07 and 08 July, which instructed tens of thousands of civilians to immediately evacuate 19 blocs in central and western Gaza City.

The recent Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Humanitarian Situation Update reports that over 1.9 million people (approximately nine out of 10 people) displaced throughout Gaza continue to face harrowing conditions, including in Deir al Balah. Most of the humanitarian responders were relocated to Deir Al Balah following the incursion in Rafah on 06 May, resulting in most of the humanitarian offices in Rafah being temporarily closed and non-operational.

The Kerem Shalom border crossing, which was operational at a limited capacity for transporting humanitarian aid supplies into Gaza, is now suspended due to security incidents. Erez West is the only crossing for importing humanitarian aid supplies into Gaza.