Today's top news: Middle East, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan, Sudan

#Middle East

Escalating violence increases humanitarian needs

OCHA continues to sound the alarm over the humanitarian impact of escalating violence across parts of the Middle East, which is driving rising civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and growing displacement.

OCHA is particularly concerned by reports of recent strikes on oil refineries, which could have serious environmental consequences across the region – with immediate impacts on access to safe water and public health. This comes on top of strikes on water desalination plants reported in several countries. 

OCHA stresses that the Middle East was already facing immense humanitarian needs prior to this latest escalation.

The organization reiterates that all parties to the conflict must fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ensuring the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. All possible precautions must be taken to protect civilians from the impact of hostilities and to avoid damage to health facilities, schools, water systems and other essential infrastructure.

#Lebanon

UN calls for urgent de-escalation, safe access for aid

OCHA reports that civilians and civilian infrastructure continue to be impacted by the hostilities across Lebanon.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs, forcing civilians to move on a large scale. As of yesterday, according to the authorities, more than 115,000 people are sheltering in more than 500 collective centres, while more than half a million people have registered as displaced.

Health services continue to be affected, with five hospitals and dozens of primary healthcare centers having ceased operations.

Humanitarians, together with national and local authorities, have delivered more than 300,000 hot meals, 125,000 bedding and hygiene items, over 150,000 litres of bottled water, and more than 80,000 litres of fuel to tens of thousands of displaced people. Psychosocial support and alternative education opportunities are being provided for children.

The humanitarian situation is rapidly worsening. Immediate de-escalation is urgently needed. OCHA stresses that all parties must respect international humanitarian law, as well as protect civilians, health facilities and humanitarian personnel. They must also ensure safe and sustained access for humanitarian organizations.

The UN and its partners are responding despite limited resources but need international support urgently to meet rapidly growing needs.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Crossing closures continue to hinder delivery of life-saving aid

OCHA says that the closure of crossings along Gaza’s perimeter continues to undermine humanitarian operations. 

The continued closure of the Zikim crossing is forcing aid workers to re-route critical supplies intended for northern Gaza through the southern crossing of Kerem Shalom, which is still the only operational crossing point. This long route is slower and more costly, and increases reliance on scarce fuel inside Gaza, where movements take place on damaged roads. 

Yesterday, some humanitarian staff were allowed to rotate in and out of the Strip for the first time since the escalation of violence in the region. 

The exit from Gaza of patients who need medical evacuations and the return of Palestinians from abroad remain suspended. 

Meanwhile, the UN and its partners continue to seize every opportunity to support people in need and scale up humanitarian operations where possible.  

In a social media post published for International Women’s Day, the UN Mine Action Service said women and girls play a critical role in mitigating the risks of explosive ordnance in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). They educate community members on these risks, help ensure the safety of mine action teams at their communities, and support data collection that guides effective planning. 

Turning to the West Bank, in a statement issued over the weekend, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, condemned the killing and injury of Palestinians in attacks by Israeli settlers. He warned that such violence is becoming increasingly extreme, underscoring the grave risks faced by Palestinians. Dr. Alakbarov called on Israeli authorities to prevent such attacks, stressing that Israel must ensure that civilians are protected and that those responsible are held accountable. 

The UN documented over the weekend the killing of four Palestinians in two separate settler attacks. Three of the fatalities were hit by live ammunition whereas a fourth person died after inhaling teargas used by Israeli forces who intervened in an attack perpetrated by settlers. Last week, the UN recorded two Palestinian fatalities in another settler attack. 

Meanwhile, the closure of checkpoints across the West Bank continues to undermine people’s access to services and workplaces, as well as the movement of emergency and humanitarian teams. 

In a social media post, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros, said that ambulances are taking longer to reach patients as they must use longer routes and search for accessible gates. WHO called for the unimpeded movement of medical supplies and health workers across the OPT, and the protection of health care. 

#South Sudan

UN, aid agencies forced to leave Akobo County

The Humanitarian Country Team in South Sudan, which brings together the UN and its partners, are deeply concerned by an order to civilians, the UN peacekeeping mission, UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to vacate Akobo County, in Jonglei State in the country’s east, ahead of military operations. The order came from the South Sudan’s People’s Defense Forces on 6 March.

Since conflict escalated in December, Akobo had become a refuge for people fleeing violence across Jonglei. Akobo is currently hosting an estimated 270,000 people, many who rely on humanitarian assistance for their survival. More than half are women and children.

In February, humanitarian partners had scaled up life-saving assistance for both displaced people and host communities.

The Humanitarian Country Team in South Sudan warns that any military action in or around such a densely populated area like Akobo would put civilians at grave risk and could trigger a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Partners tell us that people are crossing from Akobo into Ethiopia’s Gambella region.

There are also reports of looting in Akobo town, including in the main hospital, which provides critical services to the community. Humanitarians reported that some patients were relocated to Juba and that the medical staff left the hospital to seek safety.  

OCHA and the humanitarian community call on all parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law by refraining from military operations in populated areas, protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support. 

#Sudan

Drone strikes across several states kill civilians, damage markets

OCHA is alarmed by a series of drone strikes in recent days across several states in Sudan, causing civilian casualties, damaging civilian infrastructure and triggering new displacement.

In West Kordofan State, strikes in the localities of Abu Zabad and Wad Banda on Saturday reportedly hit markets, possibly claiming more than 20 lives and injuring many others, while in neighbouring North Kordofan, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in the village of Umm Kereidim on Friday, with more than 200 people having fled their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Meanwhile, in East Darfur State, a strike on a fuel market in the city of Ad Duyain yesterday reportedly killed seven civilians, including a pregnant woman and a child.

OCHA reiterates that the parties must adhere to their obligations under IHL. Civilian and civilian infrastructure – including markets, homes and schools – must never be targeted. Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access must be facilitated.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.