The following is an update of news from the Gaza Strip and West Bank for October 21st, 2023 (courtesy of israelpalestinenews.org)
- Palestinian death toll 4,466 (4,385 in Gaza (including at least 1,756 children and 1,000 women, and 84 in West Bank); 13,934 injured (12,500 in Gaza – 2,450 children and 1,536 women – and over 1,434 in the West Bank). It remains unknown how many Americans are among the casualties. About 1.4 million people have been displaced, more than 1,000 missing and presumed to be under rubble. Israeli death toll remains 1,400 and 4,562 injured – all of whom were killed or injured in the Hamas-led attack into southern Israel on October 7th. In that attack, 32 of those killed were Americans. Since then, 1 Israeli has been killed in the West Bank).
- Associated Press confirmed that 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid supplies have been allowed to enter Gaza. 200+ more trucks carrying 3,000 tons of aid wait for permission from Israel to enter. An Israeli spokesperson said aid would only go to southern Gaza as the north should be evacuated, and no fuel would be allowed to enter. Before the war, 400 trucks entered Gaza daily.
- Israel has doubled the number of Palestinian prisoners from 5,000 to 10,000 in two weeks. About 80% are laborers from Gaza; the rest are from the West Bank.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) documented 57 Israeli attacks on health care, resulting in 16 fatalities of health care workers and 28 injuries, damage to 26 hospitals and other healthcare facilities, including 17 hospitals and 23 ambulances.
- As of 16 October, 167 educational facilities have been hit by Israeli airstrikes, two of which were used as emergency shelters for internally displaced persons, one of which was destroyed. One university building and 7 churches were damaged, and at least 11 mosques were destroyed.
- Poll finds that 66 percent of US voters think that the U.S. should call for a ceasefire – 56 percent of Republicans, 80 percent of Democrats, and 57 percent of independents.
- Hamas stated today that it offered to release two more hostages, but Israel turned them down. Israel denied the report. Hamas says it informed mediators of it’s intention to release the additional people on Friday, the same day it freed Americans. In both cases Hamas did not require any Palestinian prisoners be returned in exchange, even though Israel holds over 5,000 Palestinian prisoners, 1,000 of whom have never been charged with a crime.
