ReliefWeb

Monthly highlights

• Low intensity hostilities between Israel and a Palestinian armed group continued throughout the month, without resulting in civilian fatalities.

• Access restrictions on people and goods between Gaza and Israel tightened intermittently in the context of these hostilities; imports of goods through Kerem Shalom crossing declined; exit of people via Erez crossing also decreased, compared to previous month.

• Water supply to Rafah area disrupted, following destruction of infrastructure in an Israeli attack.

Protection of civilians

• The intermittent launching of explosive/incendiary balloons and projectiles from Gaza towards Israel continued during February;
  Israel launched airstrikes targeting military facilities across Gaza, resulting in no fatalities on either side.

• Hostilities between Israel and a Palestinian armed group escalated on 23 and 24 February: 16 Israeli and 15 Palestinians were injured, including 10 Palestinians hit by a rocket falling short in Gaza.

• On at least 102 occasions, Israeli forces opened warning fire in the areas adjacent to the perimeter fence with Israel, and off the coast of Gaza. A Palestinian farmer and a fisherman were injured, while agricultural and fishing livelihoods were severely disrupted.

• One Palestinian was shot dead and another was injured after planting an explosive device next to the perimeter fence.