United Nations in Palestine

The UN and its partners in Palestine are working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: 17 interconnected Goals which address the major development challenges faced by people in Palestine and around the world. These are the goals the UN is working on in Palestine:

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30 January 2025

Israel’s new laws banning UNRWA already taking effect

Israeli legislation banning the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, is bringing fundamental changes to its operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, according to the agency and Palestinians they serve in Gaza who spoke with UN News on Wednesday.If implemented, the two new laws passed in October will simultaneously prohibit Israeli authorities from contacting UNRWA and ban the agency from operating in war-ravaged Gaza and East Jerusalem and the West Bank, according to UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler.As such, poised to change are Israel’s role as the occupying power and the work of the UN General Assembly-mandated agency known since 1949 as the backbone of humanitarian aid assisting nearly six million Palestine refugees today.Check out UN Photo’s essay What UNRWA Built here. Evacuation and relocationIsrael as the occupying power is responsible for issuing visas to international staff from humanitarian organizations like UNRWA, whose headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem comprise a compound protected by the 1946 Convention on Diplomatic Relations.The Knesset legislation has yet to come into force but is already impacting UN operations in the region.Israel has shortened all visas for UNRWA’s international staff to expire on Wednesday, which “is tantamount to being evicted” or declared persona non grata, Mr. Fowler said.As such, UNRWA’s international staff at the East Jerusalem office had to evacuate and relocate to Amman, Jordan earlier in the day. Office equipment and vehicles have been moved out, and efforts are continuing to digitise its archives.National staff will remain in East Jerusalem, but they face risks, including upcoming demonstrations by Israeli protestors, Mr. Fowler said. During the Gaza war, the compound had faced security issues, including arson attacks and violent protests.UNRWA had to comply with Israeli orders due to visa requirements despite East Jerusalem being recognised as occupied territory under international law, he added.Will UNRWA shut down completely?UNRWA’s mandate has remained the same for decades and it will not be ceasing all operations, said Mr. Fowler. It is unique as a working model that has provided core services such as healthcare and education to refugees and their descendants in line with its General Assembly-approved mandate.The agency also provides services to Palestinians in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.“UNRWA remains absolutely committed to stay and deliver,” Mr. Fowler said.“We will not stop. We’re not bowing down to this. But, we do know that the practical impacts, the uncertainty mean that our operations could be substantially affected.”Backbone of aid in GazaUp to the current fragile ceasefire, Israeli forces killed more than 47,000 Palestinians – according to local health authorities – and 270 UNRWA staff members in Gaza. Yet, despite challenges, agency staff in Gaza continue to operate, providing essential humanitarian aid, Mr. Fowler said.Over the first three days of the 19 January ceasefire, UNRWA provided food for one million people and one million blankets.Indeed, the UN agency is responsible for over half of deliveries inside the Gaza Strip and over half the aid coming in.The ceasefire has allowed UNRWA to scale up aid, but the situation remains precarious, he stressed. Impact on servicesThe Israeli laws could halt all UNRWA operations in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, affecting schools, healthcare centres and other services, Mr. Fowler explained.Some Palestinians in Gaza are worried at the prospect of losing UNRWA, including Iman Hillis, who is currently staying in an UNRWA school with her family.“We will have nothing to eat or drink, and this will affect us greatly,” she told UN News. “All the people will be destroyed and will not have food, water or flour.”International response amid ‘biggest fears’UNRWA supporters, UN Member States and UN officials have pressed Israel to reverse course up to the last minute. However, there is concern about the precedent this situation could set for other UN operations worldwide, Mr. Fowler said.The current situation is as unique as the agency itself. Israel’s ban is unprecedented. Never before has a UN Member State tried to undo the mandate of a UN organization.‘We’re at the 11th hour’“We face the risk of this becoming an example, which would then eventually morph into some kind of new normal,” Mr. Fowler said.In other places around the world, that “new normal” is a “very, very nightmarish scenario”, he warned.“The multilateral system is not perfect, but it’s the system that we have, and this is a unilateral blow against multilateralism,” he said.“We’re at the 11th hour. We all have to continue efforts to convince Israeli authorities to at least freeze this decision or void the laws completely. Our biggest fear is there is no Plan B.”Why can’t other aid agencies just take over?Uniquely, the UN General Assembly makes the decisions on UNRWA and how and where it operates.“No other agency has the scale and depth to do what we do,” Mr. Fowler said.However, under international humanitarian law, the occupying power is responsible to assure the wellbeing of the population under occupation, he added.“By voiding our mandate, the Israeli officials who have promoted this need to think hard about the fact that if there’s any Plan B, it’s on them,” he said.How will Israel’s role change?As the occupying power, Israel is and has been responsible for all services to the populations living in Occupied Palestinian Territory since it seized the areas in 1967.An agreement in 1967 between Israel and UNRWA recognised the UN Palestine relief agency and its General Assembly-mandated tasks serving Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.With the new legislation that, in effect, cancels that agreement, Israel continues to be responsible as the occupying power, including for all public services.As such, Israel will need to absorb the cost. UNRWA’s annual budget runs at about $1 billion every year., filtered_html

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30 January 2025

Aid efforts in Gaza escalate, as risk from deadly unexploded ordnance grows

As more than 423,000 displaced Palestinians return to their homes in northern Gaza following the opening of key roads, UN agencies are scaling up humanitarian aid and addressing the growing risks posed by unexploded ordnance such as landmines (UXO). “Hope returns to Gaza, but it’s fragile,” said Corinne Fleischer, World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “With open crossings and sustained efforts, Gaza’s recovery can take root,” she emphasised.The WFP has doubled its aid deliveries, bringing in 22,000 metric tons of food in the past six days - more than the entire supply that entered Gaza in November.Scaling up essential servicesUN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted further relief efforts, noting that six fuel tankers were delivered to northern Gaza on Wednesday.Aid workers stationed along the Salah ad Din and Al Rashid roads continue to assist people making their way back north to shattered homes, providing food, water, and hygiene kits, with the UN Children’s fund (UNICEF) distributing identification bracelets for children to help families stay connected.To support vulnerable groups, the World Health Organization (WHO) has supplied fuel, tents and equipment to establish trauma stabilization points along Al Rashid Road in collaboration with the Palestine Red Crescent Society.Meanwhile, efforts to provide emergency nutrition continue, with high-energy biscuits distributed to 19,000 people south of Wadi Gaza and 10,000 in the north.Shelter assistance is also being scaled up, with humanitarian partners distributing tents to families – many of whom are returning to homes that have been completely destroyed.Water remains a critical concern and aid workers are ramping up water trucking operations. In Rafah alone, 300 cubic meters of potable water – enough for 50,000 people – is being distributed daily.Danger underfootDespite the increasing humanitarian response, returning residents face significant risks from UXO contamination.The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has warned that between 5 to 10 percent of weapons fired into Gaza have failed to detonate, leaving behind deadly hazards.Since October 2023, at least 92 people have been killed or injured by explosive ordnance. Informal reports suggest 24 victims since the ceasefire began, according to Luke Irving, Chief of the UN Mine Action Programme (UNMAS) in the occupied Palestinian territories, briefing the press on Wednesday from the enclave.“Humanitarian convoys are finding items more and more, as we reach new areas which we previously could not get to, including large aircraft bombs, mortars, anti-tank weapons, rockets and rifle grenades,” he explained.Rubble removalTo mitigate risks, UNMAS and its partners are conducting awareness sessions, distributing safety leaflets and escorting humanitarian convoys along high-risk routes.A newly established UN-led Gaza Debris Management Framework aims to ensure the safe removal of rubble, but progress is being hindered by UXO contamination, exposure to hazardous materials and complex property disputes.Several UN agencies are collaborating to address both the environmental and housing concerns associated with these issues. Deteriorating situation in West BankMeanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, violence and military operations continue to escalate.The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported a drastic deterioration in the humanitarian situation, particularly in the governorates of Jenin and Tulkarm.“We’ve repeatedly expressed our concern over the use of lethal, war-like tactics in law enforcement operations,” Mr. Dujarric said.Israeli military operations in these areas have led to significant destruction of civilian infrastructure.In Tulkarm, access to water and electricity has been disrupted and initial estimates suggest that nearly 1,000 people have been displaced in recent days.Sustained humanitarian accessWith humanitarian efforts scaling up, UN agencies are calling for unhindered access to deliver aid safely and ensure the protection of both civilians and humanitarian workers.Mr. Dujarric reiterated the urgent need for safe passage for humanitarian workers, the protection of civilians and the acceleration of reconstruction efforts to support those returning home. , filtered_html

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29 January 2025

Lazzarini: UNRWA ban will only worsen the already catastrophic living conditions of millions of Palestinians

Briefing ambassadors in New York on Tuesday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that the laws passed in October last year in the Knesset jeopardize the lives of millions of Palestinians and risks undermining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.They require that UNRWA cease its activities in the territory of the State of Israel – including the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as the Knesset defines it, in defiance of international law – as well as restricting any Government contacts with the agency or anyone acting on its behalf.“Curtailing our operations now – outside a political process, and when trust in the international community is so low – will undermine the ceasefire. It will sabotage Gaza’s recovery and political transition,” Mr. Lazzarini said.He called for a “decisive intervention” by Council to support peace and stability in the occupied Palestinian territory and the broader region.Disastrous consequencesMr. Lazzarini further stressed that the full implementation of the Knesset legislation will be “disastrous”.In Gaza, undermining UNRWA’s operations would compromise the international humanitarian response, he said, adding that it would also degrade the capacity of the United Nations just when humanitarian assistance must be scaled up.“This will only worsen the already catastrophic living conditions of millions of Palestinians.”Unique roleUNRWA was established by the UN General Assembly to provide humanitarian and other essential services to Palestine refugees until a political solution is reached. Read our explainer on how the Gaza war has impacted UNRWA services, here.Mr. Lazzarini emphasised that its work cannot simply be transferred to other entities, as its scale and trusted relationship with communities are unmatched.“The Agency’s mere presence brings stability amid profound uncertainty,” he said. “Undermining UNRWA will sabotage Gaza’s recovery and any prospects for peace.”In East Jerusalem, where the Knesset legislation calls for the immediate expulsion of UNRWA, 70,000 patients and 1,000 students will lose access to health and education services.Mr. Lazzarini also noted that the legislation coincides with plans to expand illegal settlements on the land currently used by the Agency. Financial and political challengesCompounding these threats are severe financial constraints, with key donors reducing or suspending contributions.Mr. Lazzarini appealed for urgent funding to sustain UNRWA’s operations, warning that its lifesaving work could abruptly end without sufficient resources.He also highlighted a disinformation campaign spearheaded by Israeli authorities that falsely accuses the Agency of supporting terrorism. Such propaganda, he said, undermines UNRWA’s neutrality and puts its staff at risk.Call to actionIn conclusion, Mr. Lazzarini urged Security Council members to push back against the Knesset legislation, ensure continued funding for UNRWA, and advocate for a genuine political pathway to address the plight of Palestine refugees.“UNRWA was always meant to be temporary,” he said.“A fair and lasting political solution would allow the Agency to conclude its mandate, ensuring that its vital services are handed over to a functioning Palestinian state.”Jan Egeland: Humanitarian efforts face major obstaclesJan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), highlighted the indispensable role of UNRWA in supporting Palestine refugees and enabling broader humanitarian efforts.“UNRWA cannot be replaced by any other of the humanitarian organizations on the ground. We all rely on UNRWA’s logistical capacity. We operate in UNRWA's schools,” Mr. Egeland said“It is responsible for a massive relief operation in the hour of greatest need for the Palestinian civilians in Gaza.”He painted a grim picture of Gaza’s post-war landscape, where 87 per cent of homes have been damaged or destroyed, alongside schools, roads, and hospitals. He also noted that 1.34 million people urgently need emergency shelter support.Challenges persistHumanitarian organizations are working to scale up assistance, but challenges remain.“We managed finally to have 18 trucks of humanitarian cargo into Gaza last week. After months of frustrated attempts. We are working to deliver an additional 4,500 pallets of essential supplies,” Mr. Egeland, noting that insecurity, attacks and looting are still impeding aid delivery.A seasoned diplomat, Mr. Egeland has been an active participant in several peace processes, acting as the Norwegian official negotiating between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1992, which led to the Oslo Accord of September 1993.He also served in top humanitarian roles, including as UN Humanitarian Affairs chief and UN Senior Adviser for Syria., filtered_html

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27 January 2025

UN rights office raises alarm over escalating violence in occupied West Bank

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, expressed grave concerns over escalating violence in the Jenin area of the occupied West Bank, condemning the use of “unlawful lethal force” by Israeli security forces.OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan added that the Israeli military operation in and around the Jenin refugee camp had involved “disproportionate” use of force, including airstrikes and shootings that reportedly targeted unarmed residents.“The deadly Israeli operations in recent days raise serious concerns about unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including methods and means developed for war fighting, in violation of international human rights law, norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations.”OHCHR verified that at least 12 Palestinians – most reportedly unarmed – have been killed since Tuesday and a further 40 injured. Those injured include a doctor and two nurses, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.Obligation to protect civiliansMr. Al-Kheetan reiterated that Israel, as the occupying power, has a responsibility under international law to protect civilians living under occupation.He stressed the need for investigations into alleged unlawful killings, warning that a lack of accountability risks perpetuating violence.“All killings in a law enforcement context must be thoroughly and independently investigated and those responsible for unlawful killings must be held to account,” he said.“By persistently failing, over the years, to hold accountable members of its security forces responsible for unlawful killings, Israel is not only violating its obligations under international law, but risks encouraging the recurrence of such killings,” he warned.Impact on communitiesThe ongoing violence has displaced over 3,000 families in Jenin, and essential services such as water and electricity have been severely disrupted for weeks.The Israeli military has closed off major entrances to Palestinian cities, including Hebron, restricting movement, and paralyzing daily life. Thirteen new iron gates have reportedly been installed at other towns’ entrances across the West Bank.Briefing the Security Council on Thursday, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher also warned of record-high levels of casualties, displacement and access restrictions, since October 2023.Settler violence and settlement expansionBeyond military operations, there has been an uptick in settler attacks on Palestinian villages and the stoning of vehicles, in which several Palestinians have been injured.Houses and vehicles have been set on fire, according to the OHCHR spokesperson.He also voiced concern over some Israeli officials’ repeated comments about plans for further settlement expansion – in breach of international law.“We call for an immediate end to the violence in the West Bank. We also call on all parties, including third States with influence, to do everything in their power to ensure peace is achieved in the region,” Mr. Al-Kheetan stated.He reiterated High Commissioner Volker Türk’s call for Israel to halt settlement expansion and evacuate all settlements as required by international law.“We call on all parties, including third States with influence, to do everything in their power to ensure peace is achieved in the region,” Mr. Al-Kheetan urged.Relief efforts continue in GazaMeanwhile, in Gaza, the UN alongside humanitarian partners continues to support communities in need across the Gaza Strip.On Thursday, 339 trucks carrying vital aid entered the enclave, according to aid coordination office, OCHA, with assistance focused on food, water and hygiene supplies.Since the ceasefire took effect six days ago, more than 200,000 food parcels have been distributed to 130 sites, with aid reaching families in areas like Jabalya, in North Gaza governorate, that had been besieged for months.The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also provided water trucking and hygiene kits to 5,000 people in Jabalya.Returns to North GazaHumanitarian partners further reported that hundreds of displaced residents sheltering in Gaza City have begun returning to North Gaza governorate, while others in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis remain in makeshift displacement sites, with plans to move north.A rapid assessment conducted by the UN and partners at 13 sites in central and southern Gaza found that while displaced families had received some assistance – including food, water, and sanitation services – they still face critical shortages of drinking water, hygiene kits, blankets and clothing.Starting next week, humanitarian partners expect significant population movements between southern and northern Gaza and are preparing to address the urgent needs of displaced families try to return to mostly shattered homes. OCHA emphasised that while aid efforts are expanding, more resources are urgently needed., filtered_html

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24 January 2025

UN scales up humanitarian response in Gaza as ceasefire offers respite

The ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza is providing a critical window of relief for Palestinians in the war-torn enclave, as UN agencies ramp up the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance.The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Wednesday that large volumes of aid continue to flow into Gaza through the Erez and Zikim crossings in the north, and Kerem Shalom in the south – reaching areas that had been inaccessible during the conflict.Humanitarian partners on the ground also noted significant improvements in operations with the return of law and order following periods of intense looting of convoys by criminal gangs, enabling aid organizations to scale up their efforts.Supplies reach thousandsIn central and southern Gaza, monthly food distributions have resumed, providing full rations to affected families, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists at the regular press briefing in New York.On Wednesday alone, 118 trucks carrying food parcels and flour from UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) warehouses were transported to over 60 distribution points in the south.The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also dispatched high-energy biscuits and ready-to-use food, enough to feed thousands of infants.Medical supportMedical assistance is also surging in, with partners distributing medical disposables and trauma kits to 14 hospitals and reproductive health kits to 28 facilities, enough for about 58,000 people.Fuel deliveries, vital for sustaining critical infrastructure, have resumed. Seven trucks of fuel were delivered to northern Gaza on Wednesday, marking the first such shipment since the ceasefire began.These supplies are powering backup generators for water wells, desalination plants, and sewage pumps, as well as facilities operated by UN agencies such as UNRWA and the World Health Organization (WHO), and partners.In Gaza City, two of UNRWA’s primary health service points – the Beach health centre and Daraj medical point – reopened, offering much-needed access to medical care.Displacement and lingering challengesDespite these efforts, the humanitarian situation remains dire.OCHA reported that most Palestinians are still forced to live in displacement sites, unable to return home due to widespread destruction, deadly explosive ordnance, or restrictions on movement to the north., filtered_html

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23 January 2025

Aid surging into Gaza ‘at scale’ but massive needs remain: OCHA, WHO

Aid is entering Gaza “at scale” in line with the ceasefire agreement that has seen Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners released and families reunited, but massive needs remain across the devastated enclave, UN humanitarians said.On day three of the ceasefire which entered into force on Sunday 19 January, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, welcomed the “surge” in lifesaving humanitarian assistance into the enclave, after 15 months of devastating Israeli bombardment.Aid trucks began entering Gaza “a few minutes after the deal entered into force on Sunday,” said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke. “Up to now - these two first days of entry - there [have] been no reports of looting or attacks against aid workers.”Hundreds of trucksMore than 900 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Monday, as the truce held between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas, according to the Israel authorities and the ceasefire’s guarantors, the US, Qatar and Egypt.While the conflict raged, prompted by Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, the aid lifeline to Gaza dwindled to as little as 50 trucks per day.“At long last, aid at scale is entering,” said Mr. Laerke. “At long last, more hostages were released and can be reunited with their families and at long last, women and minors were freed from detention. It’s a tremendous hope, fragile but vital; this deal must hold.”Addressing physical and mental scarsImmediate priorities for Gazans include “getting food in, opening bakeries, getting healthcare, restocking hospitals, repairing water networks, repairing shelter, family reunification,” the OCHA spokesperson told journalists in Geneva. “A lot of the things that we have done throughout, but nowhere near at the scale needed. And that is what we hope and work towards to be able to do now.”UN humanitarians have long maintained that the entire population of Gaza – more than two million people – depends on such essentials. They include children, who account for about half of the Strip’s population, “with many surviving on just one meal a day”, OCHA said in an update.“We have to – and we will – maximize delivery through this opening. Hunger is widespread, people are homeless; disease, injuries are rampant. Children are separated and there's a cloud of deep psychological trauma hanging over Gaza that needs to be dealt with.”Health emergency continuesUrgent health needs must also be addressed across Gaza where one in two hospitals are not functional, others are only partially functional and the majority of health facilities have sustained damage, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).“The idea is as quickly as possible to try to provide health facilities to people of Gaza, focusing on emergency care, maternal and child health and other areas,” said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic.He added: “We should not forget other areas and that's 12,000 patients still need to be evacuated outside Gaza. We need to make sure that those people can go and receive medical care they need.“We've been talking to 25,000 people [who] have sustained life changing injuries. These people need rehabilitation services that are not available right now.”, filtered_html

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22 January 2025

The Humanitarian Coordinator after visiting Gaza: People want to work and return to their homes

Muhannad Hadi, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, shared his impressions after visiting Gaza, describing it as one of the most hopeful moments in his 35-year humanitarian career.He said that for the first time in months, he saw people in the streets, beginning to clean roads and trying to rebuild their lives.“It made me very happy to see that people already started moving back to their places of origin,” he said.While acknowledging the ongoing suffering, Mr. Hadi noted a shift in attitude among Gazans, many of whom expressed a strong desire to return to work and rebuild rather than depend on aid.Women and children he spoke to highlighted urgent needs such as education, blankets for winter and basic clothing after months of deprivation.Mr. Hadi also visited the logistics cluster and milling facilities, where operators were eager to restart operations but faced barriers such as fuel shortages and a lack of spare parts. He also emphasised the need for international media to return to Gaza and report firsthand on the situation.The crisis in Gaza continues to remain acuteThe crisis in Gaza continues to remain acute, with UN humanitarians reporting critical shortages of water, food and efforts to deliver vital aid to the war-torn region. Meanwhile, escalating violence in the West Bank has further deepened concerns over civilian safety and access to assistance.The ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which took effect on Sunday allowed some displaced residents to return, but hundreds of thousands across the Gaza Strip remain dependent on humanitarian aid, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists at the regular press briefing in New York on Tuesday.“With the ceasefire in place, displaced Palestinians have been making their way back home, with many returning to find mountains of rubble,” he said.He added that over 90 per cent of housing units in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed over the past 15 months, according to partner organizations.“Given the scale of destruction and needs in Gaza, we are working to get vital aid to people as fast as humanly possible. We also urge Member States and partners to ensure that our aid operations are funded to meet the overwhelming needs,” he said.According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on Tuesday, 897 trucks entered Gaza, based on the information obtained through interactions with the Israeli authorities and other interlocutors.West Bank violence intensifiesMr. Haq also expressed deep concerns over the situation in the West Bank, in particular the safety of Palestinians in Jenin city and its refugee camp, where Israeli military operations on Tuesday resulted in fatalities and injuries.“According to initial reports, air strikes, heavy bulldozing and the operation of undercover forces have resulted in several fatalities and dozens of injuries – including among medical personnel,” he said.The operation follows weeks of clashes between Israeli forces and armed Palestinians. Earlier violence had displaced approximately 2,000 families from Jenin camp, with basic services like water and electricity severely disrupted.Humanitarians have struggled to access the area safely, limiting aid distribution such as mattresses and blankets., filtered_html

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21 January 2025

Guterres urges support for the Middle East amid current ‘turbulent period’

With the Middle East undergoing “a period of profound transformation”, the international community must support efforts towards more justice, dignity, human rights and peace in the region, the UN Secretary-General told the Security Council on Monday. António Guterres addressed the Council’s first quarterly debate on the Middle East for the year, held against the backdrop of Sunday’s temporary ceasefire in Gaza, the end of hostilities in Lebanon sparked by the war, and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.“We have a responsibility to help make sure the people of the Middle East come out of this turbulent period with peace, dignity and a horizon of hope grounded in action,” he said, speaking fresh from a visit to Lebanon.‘Ray of hope’Mr. Guterres said that the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal “offer a ray of hope.” The first phase of the agreement went into effect on Sunday, with Hamas releasing three women hostages and Israel releasing 90 Palestinian prisoners.“While many challenges lie ahead, we should appreciate the long-overdue relief this moment provides for Palestinians in Gaza and the hostages reunited with their loved ones,” he said.Meanwhile, the UN is doing its part to ensure the rapid scale-up of humanitarian deliveries. More than 630 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Sunday, with at least 300 headed to the north.Fully implement the dealHe said the parties now must make good on their commitments and fully implement the deal and ensure that it leads to the release of all hostages and a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.The Secretary-General pledged that the UN “will do all we can to advance these efforts – in particular, to scale up humanitarian aid across Gaza, fully aware of the significant obstacles, challenges and constraints that we still face.”Action on the groundThe ceasefire “must translate into at least four simultaneous actions on the ground”, he said.The first must be that UN entities – including UN Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, which he called “the backbone of our humanitarian response” - must be able to perform their functions without hindrance.“The UN must have rapid, safe and unimpeded access through all available channels and crossings to deliver food, water, medicine, fuel, shelter, and materials to repair infrastructure across Gaza, including the north,” he said. Other humanitarian organizations, including local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as the private sector, must also have unimpeded safe passage. Safe operating environmentHis second point underscored that scaling up the delivery of aid and essential services demands safe conditions and a conducive operating environment. Humanitarians also require the necessary technical, protective and communications equipment.“To do our work, the parties must coordinate with the UN system in a timely and effective manner. This also includes the restoration of public order and safety to prevent the looting of humanitarian supplies,” he said.Aid access, civilian protectionMr. Guterres stressed that people must be able to access life-saving aid, his third point. This includes medical evacuations for those who need it, and he urged countries to take in these patients. Sufficient commercial supplies must also be allowed to enter Gaza to meet the overwhelming needs of the population, he added.His final point highlighted that civilians must be protected, and those seeking to return to their communities must have safe passage.“Explosive ordnance must be removed. The recovery of human remains must be conducted with dignity and respect,” he said.‘Seize the opportunity’The Secretary-General urged the Security Council and all UN Member States to support all efforts to implement the ceasefire, bring about a permanent cessation of hostilities, ensure accountability, and create the conditions for recovery and reconstruction.Furthermore, the international media “must also be allowed into Gaza to report on this crucial story on the ground.”Mr. Guterres called for the international community to “seize the opportunity” of the ceasefire deal to intensify efforts toward addressing governance and security frameworks in Gaza.He noted that the Palestinian Authority has said it stands ready to assume its role and responsibilities in the enclave“I urge collective support for the creation of security and governance arrangements that will enable Gaza to be re-unified politically, economically, socially, and administratively with the West Bank,” he said.Two-State solution requires ‘irreversible action’He reported that, regrettably, the situation in the West Bank continues to worsen, with clashes, airstrikes, and unabated illegal settlement expansion and demolitions.“I am deeply concerned about an existential threat to the integrity and contiguity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory of Gaza and the West Bank,” Mr. Guterres said.He noted that senior Israeli officials openly speak of formally annexing all or part of the West Bank in the coming months, which would constitute a most serious violation of international law.He said “it is clear that greater stability in the Middle East requires irreversible action toward a two-State solution” between Israelis and Palestinians., filtered_html

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20 January 2025

Guterres welcomes start of ceasefire in Gaza as UN ramps up food deliveries

Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the start on Sunday of the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, as UN humanitarian convoys brought in urgently needed food aid to begin pulling the war-ravaged territory back from starvation.“We stand ready to support this implementation and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” the UN chief said in a social media post. He added: “It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid.”According to news reports, three Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released and transferred by the Red Cross back to Israel, as the first phase of the ceasefire deal took effect. Reports suggest that later on Sunday, Israel is expected to release some 90 Palestinian prisoners. Brokered last week by the Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the three-phase ceasefire comes 15 months after Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October 2023. Some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken as hostages, with around 100 still being held.Israel launched the military campaign following the Hamas-led attacks on its territory. More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s health authorities, The Gaza strip has since been devastated and its two million inhabitants left in dire need of food and other necessities.The ceasefire and the implementation of the first phase was hailed by the United Nations as a crucial step toward peace and toward alleviating the immense suffering endured by the Palestinian population.In a separate statement, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher highlighted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza following the ceasefire. “As the ceasefire entered into force today, humanitarian aid moved into Gaza as part of a prepared surge to increase our support to survivors. More than 630 trucks with humanitarian aid entered Gaza today, with at least 300 of them going to the north.”He acknowledged the challenges faced in delivering aid, stressing the importance of safety for civilians and aid workers. Mr. Fletcher, who heads up the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed gratitude towards UN teams and partners, emphasizing their courage and creativity in preparing for this moment. “I urgently call on countries with influence over the parties to ensure that this lifesaving aid reaches those who need it most,” he said. What’s left of ‘home’In the early morning hours after the ceasefire went into effect, many displaced Palestinians began gradually returning to see what is left of their homes.Shadi Jumaa Abu Sheha returned to Nuseirat in central Gaza, only to find the dwelling he had built mostly with his own hands “is no longer a home, it is a ruin.” He was accompanied by a UN News correspondent in Gaza as he assessed the extent of the damage, which had left some of the rooms in ruins, their interiors now open to the weather.Still, Shadi was relieved that “the bloodshed has stopped”, telling our correspondent: “This is an indescribable feeling. Thank God we survived this war unharmed. But I cannot describe the extent of the destruction...I do not know what to say.”Safe humanitarian access neededFor its part, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) acted swiftly, with convoys entering Gaza early on Sunday from Egypt and via Ashdod, Israel. The ceasefire has allowed the agency to bring in urgently needed food supplies at an unprecedented scale, aiming to stave off starvation in the war-torn region, the agency said in a press release. WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized the critical nature of this initiative, noting that the agency’s goal is to deliver at least 150 truckloads of food into Gaza daily. “After 15 months of war, we need all border crossings to stay open and function efficiently, effectively and reliably. And we need humanitarian teams to be able to move freely and safely across Gaza to reach those in need.”Health challenges ahead Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed its support for the ceasefire and highlighted the monumental health challenges that lie ahead. The conflict has left a devastating toll: more than 46,600 people killed, over 110,000 injured, and a health system in disarray, the agency said in a press release.WHO underscored the urgent need for billions in investment to restore the health infrastructure, calling for the unwavering commitment of donors and the international community. The UN health agency and its partners plan to implement a 60-day plan focusing on trauma and emergency care, primary health care, child health, and other critical areas.“WHO calls on all parties to uphold their commitment to fully implement the ceasefire agreement and to continue working towards a political solution to address the protracted crisis in the occupied Palestinian territory, which is essential for lasting peace.” the agency said.Focus on women and girlsUN Women has also welcomed the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, expressing hope that all parties will honor their commitments to pave the way for lasting peace for women and girls in Palestine, Israel, and the region. “The news of the ceasefire brings relief for the 1 million women and girls who have lived under continued bombardment, without safety in Gaza for the last 470 days,” the agency said in a statement. The agency highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian relief and reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside women's organizations and the families of Gaza to advocate for inclusive recovery efforts, rights, safety, and dignity.While these efforts mark a significant step forward, the road to recovery is fraught with challenges, UN Women said, urging all parties to uphold the ceasefire and facilitate the safe and efficient delivery of aid. , filtered_html

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Story

17 January 2025

‘Enough death and destruction’: Gazans hope for ceasefire and a better future

In the wake of Wednesday’s announcement of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas due to come into effect on Sunday, displaced Gazans – ground down by 15 months of devastating conflict – have told UN News they hope an end to their suffering is in sight. Around 90 per cent of the population across the Gaza Strip have been displaced from their homes, forced to move to avoid Israeli military operations. Many have been displaced repeatedly, some 10 times or more.Much of Gaza is rubble, while Israeli airstrikes and military operations have damaged or destroyed around 60 per cent of buildings, including homes, schools and hospitals. The relentless bombing campaign has pushed healthcare to the brink, the solid waste system has collapsed, causing serious environmental and health risks, and the water system has been drastically cut.UN News’s correspondent in Gaza has been speaking to displaced civilians sheltering in Nuseirat, central Gaza, who are hoping to return to what is left of their homes and rebuild their lives.Despite the critical humanitarian conditions, um Mohammed Hanoun is determined to go back to the Al-Karama neighborhood in northern Gaza with her family, even though she received news that her house had been destroyed in a drone attack."My plan is to remove the rubble, set up a tent on my land, and live there,” she said. “All I care about is seeing my home. I hope that Gaza will be rebuilt to the way it was, and that our lives will return to what they were."‘We deserve a better life than this’"I want to go back to Gaza City for one reason, and that's to see my father," says Sami Abu Tahoun, a child displaced from Gaza City, after receiving news of the ceasefire agreement – which on Thursday was still in doubt as the Israeli war cabinet failed to vote on the deal.The youngster says that he had not seen his father since the conflict forced them to leave Gaza City, in the northern party of the Strip. "When we left our home, I lost something essential in life, my father. When my mother asked me to pray, I refused. I wanted to wait until I could pray with my father." ‘Enough death and destruction’"We want to think now about our future. Enough death and destruction,” says Ayman Abu Radwan, a Palestinian man who, like Sami, had to leave his home in Gaza City for central Gaza for a tattered tent.“We are tired. We have endured the full heat of summer, and the frost and cold of winter. Children are dying. Every night, I am woken up by the cries of a two-week old baby shivering from the cold. I hope that our conditions will improve. We deserve a better life than this.”Even if a halt in the hostilities allows Gazans to return home, and for the Strip to be rebuilt, the mental suffering will continue, according to Mohammed al-Quqa, who was displaced from al-Shati refugee camp west of Gaza City.“The greatest suffering will be the psychological situation. The war has been long, and our families, our children, have witnessed things they should never have seen.”UN humanitarians poised to deliver surge of aidIf the ceasefire agreement comes into effect on Sunday, there is widespread anticipation that aid coming into the Strip will significantly increase – in line with the reported terms of the deal.Throughout the conflict, humanitarian convoys containing desperately needed supplies have repeatedly been delayed or denied entry at Israeli military checkpoints (in December, 70 per cent of coordinated aid missions were denied).On Thursday, The World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it has 80,000 tons of food is waiting outside Gaza or on its way in, enough to feed more than one million people.However, the UN agency also underscored the importance of humanitarian teams and supplies enjoying unrestricted movement to reach those in need. UNRWA focuses on essential healthcareThe healthcare system in Gaza has been shattered as a result of persistent Israeli bombardments, and more than 12,000 people are awaiting medical evacuation.On Wednesday the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners succeeded in evacuating 12 patients to hospitals in Europe, but the agency is calling for many more countries to receive specialized treatment, as and when the ceasefire takes hold.Aid workers have been operating under perilous conditions: almost 900 have reportedly been killed since October 2023, including 265 staff from the UN refugee agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA.Despite the risks, more than 1,000 UNRWA workers – the vast majority of them local staff – continue to operate health centres, temporary clinics and medical points across Gaza, providing more than 16,000 health consultations per day., filtered_html

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Press Release

29 January 2025

Accountability and human rights- basis of just peace in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

On the move in GazaWith the return of possibly hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to northern Gaza, the UN Human Rights Office reaffirms the rights of Palestinians to safety, protection, and dignity on their way back to what is left of their homes.The journey is difficult, with many unable to afford transportation and forced to walk long distances with unreliable telecommunication networks and no available toilets. This is particularly hard for the most vulnerable groups and the families who support them, including children, pregnant women, older people, and people with disabilities forced to make the journey without adequate assistance. Reports raise concern about an increasing number of children being separated from their families while on the move. As the occupying power, Israel has the obligation to ensure the provision of shelter, food and medical care and to restore and maintain public order and normal civil life for the Palestinian people. Israel is also prohibited from subjecting Palestinians to deportation outside the Occupied Palestinian Territory or forcible transfer within it. Killings continue around “buffer zones”The continued killings of Palestinians since the beginning of the ceasefire in and around vaguely defined and poorly communicated “buffer zones” in Gaza, particularly in the vicinity of the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors and along the eastern barrier fence, is cause for alarm. As of 27 January, the Israeli military reportedly killed at least 14 Palestinians, including 2 boys and 1 girl, mostly around these so-called “buffer zones” since the onset of the ceasefire on 19 January. Among those killed are two Palestinian brothers, including a boy, who were killed while reportedly checking their home in Rafah outside of such a zone.The Israeli military remains bound by international humanitarian law’s principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions, as well as the relevant human rights rules on use of force applicable to law enforcement. As a matter of urgency, it must take immediate steps to ensure its rules of engagement prevent further unlawful civilian deaths.Growing violence in the West BankAccountability and adherence to international law are also urgently needed in the West Bank, where a large-scale operation is unfolding with devastating consequences for Palestinians, both in terms of violence and displacement. Since 19 January, Israeli security forces killed 20 Palestinians including a 16-year-old boy in East Jerusalem on Monday. Deadly operation in JeninAn Israeli operation has continued in Jenin since 21 January with deadly consequences and was extended this week to Tulkarem. Israeli security forces have so far killed at least 18 Palestinians in this operation, most of whom are reportedly unarmed.This includes a two-year-old girl who was shot dead in her home by Israeli security forces on Saturday. After weeks of siege and use of force by both the Israeli and Palestinian security forces, 3,000 families from the Jenin Refugee Camp have been forced to flee – about 80 percent of total Camp residents. The remaining families are living in grave danger with no access to water, electricity, and other basic services. Videos circulating on the internet and reported by the media show evidence of Israeli security forces targeting Palestinians clearly posing no threat to life or limb. The use of tactics and weapons developed for war such as airstrikes in the West Bank where there are no active hostilities violates the international human rights law standards applicable to law enforcement. On Monday afternoon, the Israeli military expanded its operations to Tulkarem and its two refugee camps, where further destruction of roads and infrastructure is reportedly ongoing. According to information gathered by the UN Human Rights Office, several Palestinian families were already forced to leave their homes by the Israeli military for the duration of the operation, despite the fact they have nowhere to go in the middle of the winter.Raids and movement restrictions continue In addition, Israeli security forces in recent days have continued their routine raids of Palestinian communities across the West Bank including in Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem. Houses of Palestinian prisoners released as part of the ceasefire deal were also raided to prevent any “display of joy.” Suffocating restrictions on Palestinians’ freedom of movement across the West Bank persisted for the tenth consecutive day today, practically tearing communities apart and largely paralysing daily life. Human rights central to the way forwardThe continued implementation of the ceasefire deal in Gaza provides hope that an end to the horrors of the past 15 months is in sight. Israel and Palestinian armed groups must do everything in their power to make sure the ceasefire is sustainable so that the massive protection and humanitarian needs of the civilian population in Gaza can be addressed, and the process of a human rights-based recovery and reconstruction can commence. A vital prerequisite for this goal is to ensure strict adherence to international law in this critical time. The international community must also prioritize accountability for the crimes under international law committed over the past 15 months to facilitate redress and justice for victims. To prevent recurrence, it is essential that the root causes of the conflict are addressed based on international law, in particular human rights. This includes ending Israel’s unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and ensuring accountability as the basis of just and lasting peace that fulfills the rights of Palestinians and Israelis. , filtered_html

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Press Release

22 January 2025

Violence and restrictions in the Occupied West Bank coinciding with ceasefire implementation

Public statements by Israeli officials warning against celebrations by Palestinian families whose detained loved ones are being released coincided with calls by settlers for gatherings and attacks at locations where detainees are returning. Settler attacks followed, on 19 January, in several towns including Sinjil, Turmus’ayya, and Qalqilya, where scores of settlers torched Palestinians’ houses and vehicles, blocked roads, and threw stones. Six Palestinians were injured in Sinjil, including three children, aged between 14 and 16.Also yesterday, Israeli security forces raided several Palestinian towns in the West Bank. In Sebastia, Nablus, Israeli security forces shot in the chest and killed a 14-year-old Palestinian boy, reportedly unarmed, in the absence of confrontations or clashes. Public statements by Israeli military officials also raise concern about Israel’s plans to expand and increase operations in the Occupied West Bank.Israeli security forces also closed a number of checkpoints in Jericho, set up flying checkpoints in Tulkarm, and further increased searches and controls at checkpoints around Nablus and Tulkarm governorates. They additionally shutdown all entrances to Hebron, which has effectively cut off thousands of Palestinians from neighboring communities and largely prevented children from attending schools, and residents from reaching work. Thirteen new iron gates were reportedly installed at entrances of towns across the Occupied West Bank.Palestinian security forces detained several Palestinians, including journalists, covering the release of Palestinian detainees.While the ceasefire takes hold in Gaza, it is important to stress again that international law binds duty-bearers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Israel has the obligation to dismantle settlements and evacuate all settlers from the Occupied West Bank and end its unlawful presence across the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible. In the meantime, Israel has an obligation as the occupying power to ensure the protection of Palestinians from all acts of violence.Furthermore, Israeli and Palestinian security forces must ensure Palestinians’ ability to exercise the full range of their human rights, including freedoms of expression, assembly and movement. They must also ensure their conduct complies with international human rights law, including strict adherence to the rules on the use of force applicable to law enforcement operations. This includes immediately putting an end to the growing practice of unlawful killings of Palestinians both through targeted killings and unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, and conducting thorough, effective and transparent investigations into all possible violations to hold perpetrators accountable., filtered_html

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Press Release

09 January 2025

A week into the new year: violence shows no sign of abating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

The Gaza nightmare continues In Gaza, it has been 15 months of relentless Israeli attacks that have led to the killing of tens of thousands of Palestinians, the displacement (often multiple times) of almost everyone across Gaza, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the collapse of public order and safety. Nobody has been spared with scores of killings of first responders, healthcare workers, journalists, local police officers, and UN staff. No place is safe with bombardment continuing to destroy homes, shelters, hospitals, schools and places of worship. The first week of the new year was no different. Israeli airstrikes, artillery shelling and gunfire reportedly killed at least 332 Palestinians in Gaza since 1 January 2025, including women and children. The Israeli military is still issuing displacement orders, including in Middle Gaza. Airstrikes in Gaza City and Middle Gaza were particularly harsh last week, creating further insecurity and risks for Palestinians who are being forcibly displaced from northern Gaza and are seeking shelter in these areas. In the meantime, Israel continues to impede the entry of aid into Gaza. The collapse of public order and safety, in large part a result of the Israeli military’s targeting of civilian police, also continues to make it difficult to deliver what little aid is available effectively to those most in need throughout Gaza. Since 1 January 2025, at least two incidents were reported of Israeli airstrikes allegedly killing guards providing security to aid distribution. A 74-truck UN aid convoy was attacked last Saturday by looters who then seized 43 trucks. An Israeli airstrike on Sunday reportedly hit the tents of internally displaced persons in the Israeli-designated “humanitarian zone” of Al Mawasi - Khan Yunis and killed two civilian police leaders, one of whom was allegedly in charge of aid security.The suffering of Palestinians in Gaza is compounded by the harsh winter weather conditions with no proper shelters to stave off the cold and rain. On Monday, 6 January, a 35-day-old baby reportedly died from hypothermia bringing the total reported number of Palestinians who succumbed to the cold to eight, most of them children. The West Bank The deterioration of the human rights situation in the West Bank also continues into the New Year. This includes the sustained increase in violence which has so far killed 813 Palestinians over the past 15 months, especially as a result of settler violence and Israel’s security forces’ consistent use of unlawful lethal. This has involved the growing pattern of using methods and means of warfare outside the conduct of hostilities, the use of lethal force against unarmed Palestinian bystanders, including children and women not posing any threat to life or limb, and extrajudicial executions of Palestinians “wanted” by Israel.This is in addition to the forced displacement of Palestinians with incessant demolitions and forced evictions, the expansion of illegal settlements, severe restrictions on freedom of movement essentially tearing communities apart, and an unprecedented repression of freedoms of expression, press and opinion. Since 1 January 2025, Israeli security forces continued daily raids of Palestinian communities reportedly killed nine Palestinians, including four children, most recently two boys aged eight and ten who were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Tammun today, 8 January. On Friday, Israeli settlers attacked several Palestinian communities across the occupied West Bank, assaulted and set fire to Palestinian homes and vehicles and seriously injured at least ten Palestinians, among them an elderly Palestinian man. On Monday, Palestinian armed men reportedly shot at Israeli vehicles near an Israeli settlement, killing three Israelis including two women aged 70 and 73 and an off-duty police officer aged 35 and injuring eight others. Threats of retaliatory violence are surfacing in the media including by senior Israeli officials. Concerns about the conduct of the Palestinian security forces The conduct of the Palestinian security forces also continues to be a matter of concern as an operation in Jenin Refugee Camp continued since 5 December 2024. So far, eight Palestinians were killed in the course of the operation, most of them unarmed, and six Palestinian security officers. Among those killed since the beginning of the year in Jenin are a father and his 14-year-old son who were shot to death together on Friday, 3 January. The Palestinian security forces denied responsibility for the incident. This is happening along with a growing crackdown on the freedom of expression and press in the West Bank including the Palestinian Authority’s shutdown of Al Jazeera broadcasts, reported administrative orders banning criticism of the Palestinian Authority on social media, and reported arrests, threats and ill-treatment based on the exercise of freedom of expression.   We are reiterating our calls on the Palestinian security forces to operate within the strict limits of international human rights law and urge the conduct of transparent, thorough, and effective investigations into all killings by the Palestinian security forces. Violations of international law must end Fifteen months of grave breaches of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law with impunity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory cannot be allowed to continue for another year. This responsibility falls on the entire international community, especially countries with influence and leverage who can exercise pressure to protect civilians from further suffering and ensure accountability. The UN Human Rights Office calls once again on Israel to respect its international law obligations, including as the occupying power, to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians and their unimpeded and dignified access to basic services and essential needs. The UN Human Rights Office additionally calls for the release of all those arbitrarily detained in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the hostages who remain in Gaza. We remind Israel of its obligation to end its illegal presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as per the International Court of Justice, and to stop all violations of international law including practices that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. , filtered_html

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Press Release

02 January 2025

Pattern of Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals raises grave concerns about serious crimes under international law – UN report

The attacks, documented between 12 October 2023 and 30 June 2024, raise serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law, the report states. Medical personnel and hospitals are specifically protected under international humanitarian law, provided they do not commit, or are not used to commit, outside their humanitarian function, acts harmful to the enemy.“As if the relentless bombing and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza were not enough, the one sanctuary where Palestinians should have felt safe in fact became a death trap. The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides, at all times,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said.“This report graphically details the destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza, and the extent of killing of patients, staff, and other civilians in these attacks in blatant disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law.” The appalling destruction wrought by the Israeli military’s attacks on the Kamal Adwan hospital last Friday – leaving the population of North Gaza with almost no access to adequate health care – reflects the pattern of attacks documented in the report. Staff and patients were forced to flee or were taken into custody, with many reports of torture and ill-treatment. The director of the hospital was taken into custody and his fate and whereabouts are unknown.During the period covered by the report, there were at least 136 strikes on at least 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, claiming significant casualties among doctors, nurses, medics and other civilians and causing significant damage, if not complete destruction of civilian infrastructure.In the exceptional circumstances when medical personnel, ambulances, and hospitals lose their special protection because they fulfil the strict criteria to be considered military objectives, any attack on them must still comply with the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack. Failure to respect any of these principles constitutes a breach of international humanitarian law.Intentionally directing attacks against hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are treated, provided they are not military objectives; intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population as such, or against individual civilians not taking direct part in hostilities, including the launching of an indiscriminate attack resulting in death or injury to civilians; and intentionally launching disproportionate attacks, are also war crimes, the report adds. Under certain circumstances, the deliberate destruction of healthcare facilities may amount to a form of collective punishment, which would also constitute a war crime.The report also notes that several of these acts, if committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population, further to a State or, in case of non-State actor, organizational policy, may also amount to crimes against humanity.In most instances, Israel alleges that the hospitals were being improperly used for military purposes by Palestinian armed groups, the report states. However, insufficient information has so far been made available to substantiate these allegations, which have remained vague and broad, and in some cases appear contradicted by publicly available information. If these allegations were verified, this would raise serious concerns that Palestinian armed groups were using the presence of civilians to intentionally shield themselves from attack, which would amount to a war crime.The impacts of the Israeli military’s operations in and around hospitals, and associated combat, extend far beyond the physical structures, the report finds.Women, especially pregnant women, have suffered gravely. Many women have given birth with no or minimal pre- and post-natal care, increasing the risk of preventable maternal and child mortality. The UN Human Rights Office received reports that newborns had died because their mothers were unable to attend postnatal check-ups or reach medical facilities to give birth.The increasingly limited healthcare system prevented many of those who had sustained trauma injuries from receiving timely and possibly life-saving treatment. By the end of April 2024, according to the Ministry of Health of the State of Palestine (Palestinian MOH), 77,704 Palestinians were injured. Many injured reportedly died while waiting to be hospitalized or treated. According to the Palestinian MOH, by the end of June 2024, more than 500 medical professionals had been killed in Gaza since 7 October.The Israeli military’s first major operation against a hospital involved Al Shifa Medical Complex in November 2023. It raided the facility a second time in March 2024 leaving it in complete ruin by 1 April. Subsequent to the withdrawal by the Israeli military, three mass graves were reportedly found at the hospital, with at least 80 corpses retrieved, raising serious concerns that crimes under international law may have been committed. Some of these bodies were reportedly found with catheters and cannulas still attached, suggesting they had been patients.In some of the attacks, the Israeli military likely used both heavy weapons and air dropped munitions with wide area effects, the report finds. It appears that an MK 83 munition was used in the 10 January airstrike in front of Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, Middle Gaza. Reportedly, at least 12 people were killed, including a journalist and several IDPs, and 35 people were injured. The use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in a densely populated area raises serious concerns of an indiscriminate attack.The report finds that another feature of such attacks has been the apparent targeting of people inside hospitals, but that in most of these cases it was difficult to determine attribution. The UN Human Rights Office verified multiple cases of people being shot dead at Al Awda Hospital in Jabalya, including a volunteer nurse who was fatally shot in the chest while looking out of a window on 7 December 2023.“It is essential that there be independent, thorough and transparent investigations of all of these incidents, and full accountability for all violations of international humanitarian and human rights law which have taken place,” said Türk. “All medical workers arbitrarily detained must be immediately released.”“It must also be a priority for Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure and facilitate access to adequate healthcare for the Palestinian population, and for future recovery and reconstruction efforts to prioritise the restoration of the medical capacity which has been destroyed over the last 14 months of intense conflict.”Please see the links to the full report below:ENGLISH: Thematic Report - Attacks on hospitals during the escalation of hostilities in Gaza (7 October 2023 - 30 June 2024) | OHCHRARABIC: https://www.ohchr.org/ar/documents/reports/thematic-report-attacks-hospitals-during-escalation-hostilities-gaza-7-october, filtered_html

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