Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is providing conditional cash to herders in the Gaza Strip. About 500 of the more than 2,000 households supported are women-led and over 120 are led by persons with disabilities. Photo: FAO

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Settler violence displaces more Palestinians in 2026 than in all of 2025

Violence across the West Bank continues to claim lives and deepen people’s needs.

Yesterday, two people were killed – one by Israeli settlers near Bethlehem and another by Israeli forces in Qalandia Camp, near Jerusalem. Since the onset of the regional escalation last month, over 150 settler attacks have resulted in casualties or property damage in about 90 communities, which is more than six attacks every day.

Since January, such settler attacks and access restrictions have displaced nearly 1,700 Palestinians. Less than three months into 2026, this number has already surpassed the total for the whole of 2025. OCHA says that since 2023, 38 Palestinian communities have been emptied of their populations. Humanitarian organizations are assisting those affected with shelter, as well as psychosocial and other support.

Yesterday, following the eviction of 15 Palestinian families from their homes in Batn al Hawa area of Silwan neighbourhood – in East Jerusalem – the UN and partners called on Israeli authorities to stop and reverse forced evictions and settlement expansion. The statement was released by the Humanitarian Country Team, comprising of heads of UN entities and more than 200 NGOs.

In the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian response continues at scale despite persistent access restrictions, supply chain disruptions and continued strikes.

Yesterday, the UN and partners offered services to 47 Palestinians who returned from Egypt through the Rafah Crossing. The World Health Organization and its partners supported the medical evacuation of 17 patients requiring care not available locally - they exited Gaza with 30 caregivers. UNRWA delivered more than 13,000 primary healthcare consultations across 38 service points. And UNDP collected close to 2,000 cubic metres of solid waste and removed over 750 tons of debris.

In addition, the UN Office for Project Services brought fuel into Gaza to power critical services, with the electricity grid down for almost 30 months. Kitchens supported by the World Food Programme served about 1.5 million meals. The Food and Agriculture Organization distributed animal feed and cash to livestock herders to reduce reliance on food assistance, and collected additional fodder from Kerem Shalom to replenish stocks. UNICEF supported truck delivery of 3,500 cubic metres of drinking water.

Meanwhile, OCHA coordinated aid to displaced families whose tents were flooded by heavy rain. Some 3,000 people were affected, and the rains also disrupted water services, according to UNICEF.