A humanitarian and protection crisis unfolding
Since the Israeli military operation “Cast lead” began on 27 December until 8 January (4:00PM), 758 Palestinians have been killed — approximately 42% of whom were women (60) and children (257) according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The number of children fatalities has increased by 250% since the beginning of ground operation on 3 January (see chart below). 56% of Gaza’s population are children.
[...] During the reporting period, Palestinians fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, some hitting areas deeper into Israel than ever before. Three Israeli civilians have been killed since 27 December [...]