Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, South Sudan, Ukraine
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
UN, partners continue to expand aid reach despite continued impediments
OCHA reports that, despite impediments, the UN and our humanitarian partners continue to support the most vulnerable families affected by harsh winter conditions and the dire consequences of the past two years crisis.
On Monday, the World Health Organization facilitated the evacuation of 18 patients and their 36 companions from Kerem Shalom crossing for medical treatment outside Gaza.
In recent days, partners have distributed 7,000 dignity kits, more than 5,600 dignified family hygiene kits, and 1.3 million bars of soap to some 200,000 people in northern and southern Gaza.
Partners providing emergency shelter materials report that, in recent days, they have reached more than 16,000 households across Gaza with shelter supplies and other essential items. These included more than 3,300 tents, 8,700 tarpaulins, 300 sealing-off kits to weatherproof makeshifts shelters, and more than 700 kits to stabilize and reinforce makeshift shelters.
To address needs for the winter, partners have distributed more than 7,000 blankets, 3,900 mattresses, and more than 1,000 bedding kits to improve sleeping conditions for families exposed to cold weather conditions. In addition, more than 2,500 kitchen sets have been distributed, and more than 880 households received clothing assistance through in-kind modalities.
On the water and sanitation situation, partners report that water trucking operations continue, with 36 partners distributing daily more than 21,500 cubic metres of drinking water and over 10,000 cubic metres of domestic water to 2,350 water collection points across the Strip.
In parallel, temporary learning spaces continue to expand across the Strip. To date, more than 420 learning spaces are operational, serving more than 230,000 learners supported by over 5,500 teachers.
Partners note that scaling up learning spaces for school-age children remains a critical priority; however, this depends on the timely entry of essential supplies which continue to be denied entry by the Israeli authorities on the grounds that education is not a critical activity during the first phase of the ceasefire.
Additionally, renovation work is advancing in public schools. Some 10 classrooms, two administrative rooms and two storage facilities have been recently completed in two schools in Gaza city, giving more than 1,800 children access to education.
On the West Bank, OCHA reports that, over the past two weeks, dozens of tents and makeshifts shelters in Palestinian Bedouin and herding communities across the West Bank have been damaged or destroyed due to severe winter weather.
OCHA also warns of the ongoing destruction of Palestinian-owned properties by Israeli authorities for lack of Israeli-issued building permits that are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtains.
Over the past two weeks, Israeli authorities demolished 50 structures in Area C and East Jerusalem, displacing more than 50 Palestinians and affecting the livelihood of more than 14,000 people.
During the same period, Israeli authorities forcibly evicted two Palestinian families from their homes in Batn al Hawa area of Silwan, in East Jerusalem, which were taken over by an Israeli settler organization.
These families are among more than 90 families in Batn al Hawa, comprising over 450 people including about 200 children, who have been at risk of forced displacement due to eviction cases filed against them by Ateret Cohanim settler organization.
OCHA reports that evictions and demolitions continue to cause grave physical, social, economic and emotional impact on Palestinian families.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.
#Syria
Renewed hostilities in Aleppo kill civilians, trigger new displacement
OCHA says that renewed hostilities in the city of Aleppo have resulted in civilian casualties, displacement and damage to health facilities and other critical infrastructure.
According to authorities, as of yesterday, at least five civilians – including two women and one child – were reportedly killed, and dozens more injured.
Several health facilities have been impacted, including Zahi Azarak Hospital, Ibn Rished Hospital, and Othman Hospital, with some reportedly ceasing operations due to the damage.
Movement restrictions have been imposed on key roads. Since yesterday morning, thousands of families have fled their homes, with many seeking shelter with host communities in Aleppo city and the district of Afrin.
Authorities announced the opening of two humanitarian corridors through the Al Awared and Al Zuhour for civilians to evacuate. Schools, universities and government institutions have halted activities. Flights to and from Aleppo International Airport remain suspended.
The UN and its humanitarian partners are mobilizing resources to respond to the growing displacement. Today, a UN team in Aleppo carried out an assessment mission to Yad Al Aoun camp in Afrin to evaluate immediate needs and the capacity to respond to them.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Syria with urgent support.
#South Sudan
Surge of violence in Jonglei State forces people to flee, disrupts humanitarian operations
OCHA reports that a surge in conflict and airstrikes in Jonglei State has forced people to flee their homes and has disrupted humanitarian operations.
Since 29 December, renewed fighting has displaced some 100,000 people – mostly women, children and older people – in several counties, according to authorities and humanitarian partners. Most displaced people are sheltering in remote areas out of fear of further attacks, while others have fled to neighbouring states. On 6 January 6, authorities in Lakes State say they have registered more than 11,000 people as have arrived from Jonglei.
In northern Jonglei State, several humanitarian organizations have relocated staff due to the insecurity and instructions by parties to evacuate the area. Humanitarian organization continuing to operate with local staff report growing challenges, including in restocking health facilities, and sustaining other essential activities. The situation is further compounded by reports from several humanitarian organizations that their facilities and assets have been looted or confiscated by both parties, disrupting provision of essential health services for thousands of people at a time when South Sudan continues to grapple with food insecurity, disease outbreaks and the impact of last year’s flooding.
Despite these challenges, OCHA continues to engage with all parties so aid can reach people safely.
In 2025, more than 715,000 people were displaced by conflict and floods in South Sudan.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in South Sudan with urgent support.
#Ukraine
As temperatures near zero, nearly two million people left without electricity
OCHA reports that continued attacks and hostilities have caused dozens of civilian casualties across the country. Nearly two million people have been left without electricity, as temperatures have dropped close to zero.
Authorities report that, between yesterday and this morning, attacks across Ukraine killed several civilians and injured more than 50 others, while damaging critical energy and port infrastructure in the regions of Dnipro, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia.
As a result, more than 900,000 residents in Zaporizhzhia and at least 800,000 families in Dnipro are left without electricity. Heating, water supply, mobile communications and public electric transport were also disrupted. The Mayor of Dnipro City declared a national-level emergency due to the interruption of basic services.
In the city of Kryvyi Rih, also in the Dnipro region, yesterday’s strikes were reportedly among the largest combined attacks since the start of the full-scale war. Damage to infrastructure left around 30,000 people without power. Repair work continues, and humanitarian partners are providing immediate emergency assistance.
The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, has called for the protection of civilians amid harsh winter conditions. Hostilities continue to cause widespread damage to housing and civilian infrastructure, particularly in front-line regions.
Nationwide, scheduled power outages continue for four to eight hours every day due to attacks on energy infrastructure, according to the national grid operator. Humanitarian organizations are responding by distributing emergency shelter materials, winter supplies and warm blankets, and by providing heating points, psychosocial and legal support to help affected people.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in need in Ukraine with urgent support.