Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine

Aid workers in Ukraine's Zaporizhzia, support residents on 26 February affected by the overnight attack, providing emergency assistance. Photo: Humanitarian Mission Proliska.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

Senior UN official concludes two-day Gaza visit

In Gaza, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, wrapped up a two-day visit to the Strip today.

While in Gaza, he met with humanitarian partners, visited humanitarian operations, and discussed gaps and challenges in the response.

Today, Dr. Alakbarov joined a medical evacuation mission at the Rafah crossing, where the UN and partners help patients and their caregivers go to Egypt for treatment. He also visited a reception centre in Rafah, where humanitarians help people returning to Gaza.

Meanwhile, humanitarians leading on water, sanitation and hygiene services tell us that, in the last few months, they have delivered 17,000 hygiene kits, including toothpaste, soap and toothbrushes, to children and their families. Hundreds of water tanks have been installed near tents since the ceasefire, making it easier for people – especially children – to find clean water.

On food security, humanitarians report that, this month, families have on average had two meals a day, compared with one meal per day in July of 2025. While this is an improvement, one in five households still only has one meal a day. Many families say they cannot afford food and other essentials goods.

To help put food on the table, in January, humanitarians provided cash assistance to three quarters of a million people.   

This month, partners working on shelter provided tents, tarpaulins and other supplies to more than 27,000 displaced families. Additionally, today, in the city of Bani Suhaila in Khan Younis governorate, more than 400 vulnerable families living in this area received food and other supplies.

Aid workers are also distributing emergency shelter material – consisting mainly of salvaged timber and metal pallets – in Khan Younis and Gaza city. The material is being used to build housing units that can endure harsh weather conditions.

However, humanitarians report that families across Gaza are observing Ramadan in unsafe structures, as hundreds of thousands of housing units have been damaged since October of 2023.

The UN once again appeals for the lifting of restrictions on the entry of construction materials and equipment into Gaza so that people can have longer-term housing solutions.

#Ukraine

Aid workers rush in aid after renewed attacks across Ukraine

Overnight, a large-scale drone and missile attack – combined with front-line hostilities – resulted in civilian casualties and damaged homes and critical infrastructure across Ukraine including Kyiv City.

Authorities report that at least two civilians were killed and more than 40 injured, including two children. Residential buildings, shopping areas and energy facilities were once again damaged.

In the Odesa region, some 40,000 families were left without electricity. In the Poltava region, damage to gas facilities disrupted power supply for around 20,000 families and businesses. The Ministry of Energy reported additional outages in several eastern and southern regions, continuing a pattern of winter attacks on energy systems.

Humanitarian partners on the ground provided materials to repair windows, first aid, psychosocial support and cash support.

Last month, authorities and humanitarian partners said nearly 7,000 people were evacuated from front-line areas in eastern Ukraine.

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