Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory

A Palestinian boy carries water through a heavily damaged street of Tulkarm refugee camp, following an Israeli operation that involved drone strikes and road bulldozing. Photo: OCHA

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Gaza Strip

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that civilians have no safety anywhere.

Yesterday, the Israeli military once again ordered the evacuation of large areas within Gaza, citing rocket fire into Israel. OCHA’s initial analysis indicates that the new orders cover about three square kilometres in North Gaza and Deir al Balah governorates. Since then, strikes were reported in Al Mawasi area, where people had been ordered to move and take shelter.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East or UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has issued a statement saying that this is another reminder that there is no “humanitarian zone” let alone a “safe zone.” He called for an end to misleading and to killing civilians, warning that every day without a ceasefire will bring more tragedy.

Over 80 per cent of the Gaza Strip is under unrevoked Israeli evacuation orders. Amid this situation, OCHA warns that the ability of humanitarian organizations to support people in need across Gaza is further diminishing. December saw some of the toughest restrictions on humanitarian movement ever recorded. This includes blocking access to border areas for collecting supplies and denying attempts to deliver goods and services, or assess needs across Gaza. Overall, 39 per cent of UN attempts to move aid workers anywhere in Gaza were outright denied by the Israeli authorities, with another 18 per cent disrupted on the ground or interfered with.

For the besieged areas in North Gaza governorate, access has been denied for 88 consecutive days; that is since 6 October 2024. Out of 166 attempts, as of yesterday, 150 were refused, and 16 were initially agreed to but interfered with or faced with impediments on the ground.

OCHA underscores that movement denial is likely resulting in more death and suffering, noting that access to what remains of hospitals in the north is among the top priorities.

West Bank

OCHA, UNRWA and humanitarian partners did an assessment in the aftermath of the operation that Israeli forces carried out in Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps last week, on 24 and 25 December.

OCHA’s teams visited the area on Tuesday. They estimate that over 1,000 housing units and about 100 shops were damaged from explosions or bulldozing. Over 20 families comprising more than 90 people were displaced. Damage to infrastructure disrupted electricity, water and sewage networks.

In response, OCHA has mobilized humanitarian action by our partners, who are already trucking water to people. This assessment will serve to inform further interventions, including the installation of new water tanks, the vacuuming of sewage and the distribution of hygiene kits and emergency cash.