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24 October 2025

UN Official Calls for Swift Action to Secure Fragile Peace in Gaza

“After two years of devastating war and unimaginable human suffering, we now have an opportunity to conclude a dark chapter in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and set the course for a more just and peaceful future,” said Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Since the ceasefire took effect, the UN and its partners have launched a 60-day response plan. Aid deliveries rose by 46 per cent in the first week, supported by Israeli facilitation and tracking through the UN 2720 Mechanism for Gaza. “But this is not enough,” he warned, stressing that meeting humanitarian targets requires more crossings, safe corridors, and unrestricted entry of goods, fuel, and humanitarian staff.Reconstruction, he added, “must be a collective, Palestinian-led effort.” Working with the Palestinian Authority, international partners, civil society and the private sector, the UN stands ready to coordinate recovery efforts in line with the ceasefire, the New York Declaration and the Arab Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction.A ‘Momentous But Precarious’ JunctureMr. Alakbarov called for the immediate release of remaining deceased hostages and large-scale humanitarian access across Gaza. “All parties must abide by their commitments under the deal and agreements should be reached to implement the next phase.”Reconstruction, meanwhile, will require “a collective effort and should be Palestinian-led”, he said. Working with the Palestinian Authority, international partners, civil society and the private sector, the UN is ready to help coordinate recovery efforts in accordance with the ceasefire, the New York Declaration and the Arab Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction.“We are at a momentous but precarious juncture,” Mr. Alakbarov said. President Trump’s 20-point plan and the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement to End the War in Gaza have created “a viable path towards ending the war”. The upcoming Cairo Reconstruction Conference — co-hosted by Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and the UN — will advance recovery and rebuilding efforts.For its part, the UN will continue to support all efforts to end the occupation and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in line with international law and UN resolutions, he said. This is critical to realize “a two-State solution — Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part — living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States”.

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23 October 2025

Israel is obliged to let aid flow into Occupied Palestinian Territory, says World Court

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) says that Israel must uphold its responsibilities as the “occupying power” by ensuring aid can flow freely and by respecting the rights of the UN and other humanitarian agencies working in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.In a detailed advisory opinion requested by the General Assembly, the UN’s top court found that Israel is required to “ensure that the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory [OPT] has the essential supplies of daily life, including food, water, clothing, bedding, shelter, fuel, medical supplies and services.”The court called on Israel to also “respect and protect” all aid workers, medical personnel and facilities.By ten votes to one, judges also held that Israel “has an obligation” to cooperate in good faith with the UN, “providing every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” including the Palestine refugee relief agency, UNRWA.UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the ICJ opinion as “very important”, adding that it came at a moment when the UN is doing all it can to surge aid into Gaza following the ceasefire.The opinion – requested in December 2024 – addresses Israel’s obligations in relations to the UN and other international organizations and countries vested in humanitarian operations in Palestine.In a sign of the level of international engagement in the case, 45 States and organizations filed written statements, and 39 presented oral arguments during hearings held from 28 April to 2 May 2025.Why the court mattersThe ICJ, based in The Hague, is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.It settles legal disputes between States and gives advisory opinions at the request of UN bodies.The opinions are not legally binding, but they carry significant moral and legal authority and often guide international policy and practice.Bound by international lawThe ICJ held that Israel is bound by international humanitarian law and human rights law to respect and protect civilians in the OPT, ensuring that aid workers and medical facilities are safeguarded and that no civilians are forcibly transferred or deprived of food.Ten of the eleven judges agreed that Israel must respect the privileges and immunities of the UN and its officials, in accordance with the UN Charter. This includes “the inviolability” of all UN premises – including those managed by UNRWA.Vice-President Julia Sebutinde of Uganda cast the sole dissenting vote in several sections.The ICJ also reaffirmed Israel’s obligation to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to detainees in the OPT and to “respect the prohibition on the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.”Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a social media post that it “categorically rejects” the ICJ’s advisory opinion, describing it as “yet another political attempt to impose political measures against Israel.”

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22 October 2025

‘Overwhelming’ demand for food aid in Gaza as fragile ceasefire holds

Abeer Etefa, Senior Regional Communications Officer for the World Food Programme (WFP) told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that since the ceasefire took hold on 11 October the agency has been able to bring in over 6,700 metric tonnes of food – enough for close to half a million people for two weeks.“Daily deliveries continue and they are now averaging around 750 tonnes,” Ms. Etefa said. “That's much better than what we had before the ceasefire, but it's still well below our target, which is around 2,000 tonnes every day.”The WFP spokesperson explained that unless all border crossing points can be used, reaching this target is “almost impossible.”Cross purposesCurrently, only the crossings at Kerem Shalom and Kissufim in the south are open, and the “severe amount of destruction” impedes access from the south to the north – where famine was declared in August.“We need Erez, we need Zikkim, we need these border crossing points to open,” Ms. Etefa insisted.Reaching northern Gaza with large-scale convoys is a priority, she said.“We've cleared the roads at scale into the north,” she added, removing the debris from the border crossing points to be able to connect to Gaza City where the situation is particularly dire.“But we need these crossings to open so that we're able to get large-scale convoys.”Distribution goalThe agency has started restoring its food distribution system, with a goal of scaling assistance through 145 distribution points across the Strip. Some 26 distribution points have already been reinstated.“The response has been really overwhelming,” Ms. Etefa said, describing people’s reactions to the food distributions. “People are showing up in large numbers, grateful for the efficiency of the delivery of food assistance” as well as the “dignified way” in which they are able to stand in line and quickly obtain their food rations.The impact is significant, especially for “the most vulnerable, the women, female-headed households, the elderly,” she said.Hedging betsPeople are hopeful but there is “cautious optimism” as to how long the current conditions will prevail, Ms. Etefa said. Those receiving food aid tend to eat only part of the rations and keep the rest in case of emergency “because they are not very confident how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next.”“It is a fragile peace,” Ms. Etefa stressed.Adding to the challenges, food prices in Gaza remain prohibitive and supplies are still not sufficient “to the level that it can be affordable,” Ms. Etefa said. “There's still a huge problem of access… people can find food in the market, but it's out of reach because it's extremely expensive,” she warned.Support for the starvingWFP is supporting the most food insecure people with digital payments which have so far allowed some 140,000 people to buy food on local markets, the goal being to double the programme in the coming weeks.The WFP spokesperson reiterated the agency’s calls for commercial supplies to enter the enclave and supplement aid. “Humanitarian aid will not be the only solution for dealing with severe malnutrition and having a complete food basket,” she explained.Only a full implementation of the ceasefire can enable WFP to operate at the scale required for this crisis, Ms. Etefa stressed. “Sustaining the ceasefire is vital.""It's really… the only way we can save lives and push back on the famine in the north of Gaza,” she concluded.Risk for civilians from unexploded munitions ‘incredibly high’The risk posed by unexploded ordinance is incredibly high, the head of the UN Mine Action Service team in Gaza said on Tuesday.Luke Irving told a press conference in New York at UN Headquarters that five children were reportedly injured last week in the enclave, two very seriously.There have been at least 328 victims of explosive munitions left behind from the Israeli bombardment and war with Hamas, some of them fatalities. The senior UNMAS official said the real figure is likely to be much higher due to underreporting.“We expect to find many more items in the coming weeks as we access more areas under the ceasefire,” he said.“We're deeply concerned about the heightened risk these items pose in the coming days, weeks, months and years, as people to try to salvage what is left of their homes and belongings, children play in conflict affected places and humanitarian personnel circulate to areas that were previously inaccessible.”

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21 October 2025

Gaza: Aid efforts continue as UN teams start clearing up to 60 million tonnes of debris

The UN said it was encouraged by renewed Gaza ceasefire commitments, warning that recent violence risked undermining fragile progress, as recovery efforts – including a large-scale rubble removal project – slowly gain momentum across the war-ravaged enclave.“We are encouraged that the parties have reaffirmed their commitments to implementing the ceasefire in Gaza and commend the steadfast efforts of the mediators,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at the regular news briefing in New York.“We do, however, remain concerned by all acts of violence in Gaza and the reported attacks and strikes that took place yesterday.”Mr. Dujarric urged all sides to honour their obligations and avoid any action that could lead to renewed hostilities, reiterating the Secretary-General’s call for the release of the remains of all deceased hostages.Over the weekend, Humanitarian Affairs chief Tom Fletcher wrapped up a visit to Gaza, where he met aid workers and inspected UN-supported projects, including a child nutrition centre, a hospital and a road clearance operation.Debris removal underwayIn Gaza City, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) has begun a major debris removal operation – the first phase of a comprehensive debris management plan aimed at restoring access to essential services such as hospitals and schools.“Rubble represents a major challenge in Gaza, where the estimated amount is between 55 and 60 million tonnes,” said Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Representative in Palestine.The UN agency taking the vital first step by clearing roads and recycling materials to pave new access routes and temporary facilities.Dozens of diggers and other vehicles have been deployed along Al-Jalaa Street, where UNDP says it is working around the clock to open roads that have been blocked for months.“This is a very arduous process and will take many years to complete,” Mr. Cilliers cautioned.Aid crossings openUN humanitarians also reported progress in aid delivery under the ceasefire, with the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) expanding temporary learning spaces and partners resuming food parcel distributions in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.“Over the weekend, we along with our partners continued to collect aid from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and Kissufim crossings. This included post-partum and hygiene kits, medical supplies, fuel, water and food,” Mr. Dujarric said.He added that on Sunday, for the first time, Israeli authorities allowed the UN to deploy monitors at the Kissufim crossing.“This is of course a welcome development, as it provides us with much-needed visibility into that segment of the pipeline,” Mr. Dujarric added.

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15 October 2025

Gaza: $70 billion needed to rebuild shattered enclave, says UN

UN development experts said on Tuesday, while aid agencies reported that far too little aid is getting in to meet the needs of desperate Palestinians.At just 41 kilometres long (25.4 miles) and two to five kilometres wide (1.2 to 3.1 miles), few places in the Gaza Strip had been left unscathed by the constant Israeli bombardment before the latest ceasefire came into effect haltingly last Friday.According to the UN Development Programme Special Representative for the Palestinians, Jaco Cilliers, destruction across the enclave “is now in the region of 84 per cent. In certain parts of Gaza, like in Gaza City, it's even up to 92 per cent.”$20 billion needed nowSpeaking from Jerusalem, the UNDP’s Mr. Cilliers highlighted the findings of the latest Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA) on Gaza by the UN, the European Union and the World Bank, which estimated the damage at $70 billion.To kickstart the massive operation, some $20 billion will be required in the next three years alone, he told journalists in Geneva.The UN development agency is present in Gaza alongside humanitarian partners to provide immediate support to the enclave’s 2.1 million people.This includes providing clean water, emergency employment, medical supplies, solid waste removal and making homes and public spaces safe by clearing rubble potentially hiding unexploded ordnance or the many thousands of missing Palestinians.“We've already removed about 81,000 tonnes. That is about…3,100 truckloads,” Mr. Cilliers explained. “The majority of the debris removal is to provide access to humanitarian actors so that they can provide the much-needed aid and support to the people in Gaza. But we also help with hospitals and other social services that need to be cleared of debris.”The UNDP official pointed to “very good indications” from potential donors in support of reconstruction from Arab States, but also from European nations and the United States “which has also indicated that they are going to be coming in supporting some of the early recovery efforts”.Immediate aid essentialImportant as reconstruction is for Gaza’s long-term future, UN humanitarians once again clamoured for the Israeli authorities to open all access points into Gaza, after the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages were freed on Monday and Palestinian prisoners were released from Israel.The development followed the signing of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel signed on Monday evening in Sharm El-Sheikh by US President Donald Trump, and the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Turkïye.Earlier on Monday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the release of all living hostages from Gaza, two years since they were among some 250 taken during Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023.Gaza City testimonySpeaking to UN News from Gaza, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) aid worker Tess Ingram described the story of one family displaced five times by the war:“I met a family today, Mustafa and Syeda and their children, and they told me that they were among the lucky ones because while Mustafa was pulling rubble out from the building, that is their home, at least he said, we have a home.”The family was relieved on Monday at the appearance of a water truck, Ms. Imgram told us: “But they live in fear that truck might not turn up today or tomorrow. She also can't get the medicine she needs and her sons had to walk a really long way today just to buy the basics that she needed to make some bread.“Families need absolutely everything right now. We need the hundreds of trucks a day that were promised to get into the Gaza Strip.”Hostage remainsOn Tuesday, the focus shifted to the transfer from Gaza of all deceased hostages, an extremely difficult process overseen by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It remains unclear how many deceased hostages will be transferred by Hamas.“When it comes to the living hostages or Palestinian detainees - and believe me that's a big issue for us – we actually don't know, we know that we have to be ready,” said ICRC spokesperson Christian Cardon, adding that the complex search is getting underway today.In the meantime, needs in Gaza remain enormous and “fluid”, aid teams report, with more than 300,000 Palestinians heading north to Gaza City since Friday, as the ceasefire agreement seemed to hold.“The enthusiasm that came from the international community, from people on the ground that this was the beginning of the end of all the suffering and things would change rapidly, is just not being reflected on the ground, day in and day out. We are not getting enough aid in,” said UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson Ricardo Pires.The Israeli authorities have agreed to allow 190,000 tonnes of relief supplies into Gaza and UN agencies and their partners are scaling up operations rapidly, but a far greater amount is needed overall, humanitarian agencies including the UN aid office, OCHA, have said repeatedly.“Of course, we are advocating with everyone, and we were there in Sharm El- Sheikh yesterday as well, with 22 heads of state of government, who we are asking to help us push all buttons you can to get this up and running as soon as possible,” said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke.Aid hub carnageAid teams continue to insist that there needs to be a move away from handing out lifesaving supplies from remote areas including non-UN aid hubs that are difficult to reach and where hundreds of Palestinians have been shot or injured.“Most of the actors – ICRC included – were not able to organize sufficient distribution of aid inside Gaza,” said Mr. Cardon. “And what we’ve seen instead, it’s people coming back from distribution sites being wounded, if not killed, in many instances…It's about aid coming to the people and not any more people going to the aid.”

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17 October 2025

Gaza: UN pushes to scale up aid delivery

On Thursday, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher made his way to Rafah on the southern Gaza border, from the Egyptian capital Cairo, describing the main Rafah crossing as a “vital lifeline for food, medicine, tents and other lifesaving aid.”He told BBC Radio 4 that the role of the “collective international community” was essential for aid delivery, adding that he was in very close touch with the White House “who are determined that we are allowed to deliver at scale.”The UN agency that supports Palestine refugees, UNRWA, reported that it has sufficient food supplies outside Gaza to sustain the population for three months, but said Israeli authorities are still blocking its entry despite the Israel-Hamas ceasefire.UNRWA still the ‘backbone’UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna told UN News that with its unparalleled aid distribution network, the agency must be the “backbone” of the enhanced relief effort, and if Israel continues to exclude them it would mean “a loss of people’s trust.”“We see absolutely no justification for Israel not allowing this massive amount of aid – which cost tens of millions of dollars – into the country.”He said there are still around 12,000 staff working inside Gaza, including some 8,000 teachers who are working to allow 640,000 students to resume their studies following two years of lost education.UNRWA has also played a key role providing psychological support in the form of around 800,000 consultations. Ninety per cent of UNRWA facilities have been destroyed, 370 colleagues have been killed in Gaza: “The only thing that has changed for us is our inability to distribute food, even though we have the logistical capabilities,” he said.Meanwhile, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) stated that it has over 1,300 truckloads of life-saving supplies ready to move, emphasising that humanitarian needs remain immense.Still in limboUNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram, speaking on the ground in a social media post on Thursday, described the ongoing challenges faced by relief teams as they await access to deliver critical assistance.“Nine out of 10 homes in the Gaza Strip have been damaged or destroyed,” she said. “What that means is families across the Gaza strip are coming back to the likes of this, a skeleton of a city, a shell of a building, and trying to make sense of how they move forward.”UN aid coordination office OCHA said supplies from Egypt still need to take a long detour to the Kerem Shalom crossing for Israeli checks, pending the opening of the Rafah crossing to aid.Relief chief Fletcher stressed the need for all the crossings to be open to allow for a massive scale-up in aid.“The humanitarian community cannot deliver at the scale necessary without international NGO presence and engagement,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing journalists in New York on Thursday.“Currently, the Israeli authorities do not issue visas for a number of international NGOs and do not authorize many of them to send supplies into Gaza.”Mr. Dujarric pointed to some specific improvements in UN aid delivery: “On Tuesday alone, 21 of our partners distributed nearly 960,000 meals through 175 kitchens. Bakeries that we support produced over 100,000 two-kilogramme bread bundles. UNICEF distributed more than one million baby diapers.”Lifesaving medical suppliesThe World Health Organization (WHO) has been able to deliver three truckloads of surgical and other essential medical supplies to the central pharmacy in Gaza City which will be transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital, serving the needs of around 10,000 people.WHO has also deployed an international emergency medical team to boost orthopaedic surgery and trauma care in Gaza.UN teams have also finished clearing main roads leading to the Erez and Zikim crossings in the shattered areas of northern Gaza in anticipation of their potential re-opening.

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16 October 2025

Gaza peace plan ‘at precarious moment’ as killings continue on both sides

The UN relief chief urged Israel and Hamas to honour their agreement to return deceased hostages and allow aid at scale into Gaza, warning that it should not be used as “a bargaining chip” amid reports of new civilian killings and extrajudicial executions.In a statement, Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said that two days after world leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh to endorse the US-led peace initiative, “this is a moment of great but precarious hope.”“It is also clear from the public response to the progress, that Palestinians, Israelis and people across the region want this peace to take hold,” Mr. Fletcher said.“So, we must not fail to see through in full the implementation of the agreements made.”He said UN humanitarian operations had finally begun to scale up “after months of frustration and blockages,” with some food, medicine, fuel, water, cooking gas and tents delivered to those in need.Renewed setbacksHowever, he warned that renewed setbacks now threatened to undermine that fragile progress.“We are now tested to see whether we can ensure that these do not prevent the progress on which President [Donald] Trump, the UN Secretary-General and so many leaders have insisted,” he said.Mr. Fletcher called on Hamas to “make strenuous efforts to return all the bodies of deceased hostages, urgently,” and voiced concern over “evidence of violence against civilians in Gaza.”He also pressed Israel to allow “the massive surge of humanitarian aid – thousands of trucks a week – on which so many lives depend.” Additional border crossings must be opened, he said, and remaining logistical barriers lifted to ensure aid flows freely.“Facilitation of aid is a legal obligation,” Mr. Fletcher stressed. “We will not accept any interference with our aid distribution.”Summary executions in GazaHis appeal came as the UN human rights office (OHCHR) reported new allegations of serious abuses in Gaza, including summary executions and unlawful killings of civilians.Armed clashes between Hamas-affiliated groups and rival factions have intensified since 10 October, OHCHR said in a news release.On 13 October, video footage released by the Sahm Unit, reportedly linked to Gaza’s Interior Ministry, showed the public execution of eight blindfolded and handcuffed men who were alleged members of a Gaza City-based family militia.OHCHR added that said such acts “amount to a war crime,” and reminded Hamas that they “must prevent and repress any violation or abuse committed by its members.”Meanwhile, Israeli forces were reported to have opened fire on Palestinians attempting to return to their homes in eastern Gaza City on 14 October, killing three. OHCHR said it had recorded 15 Palestinian deaths in similar incidents since 10 October.“The situation in Gaza remains precarious and uncertain,” said Ajith Sunghay, head of OHCHR in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.“It is imperative to ensure that the ceasefire holds and progresses to recovery and the full realisation of Palestinians’ right to self-determination,” he added.

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14 October 2025

Gaza: Hostages released, aid scale-up begins

Aid agencies said that lifesaving relief supplies are now flowing at scale into the shattered enclave.António Guterres expressed his "profound relief" that the hostages had been freed, two years since they were among some 250 taken during Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023, before highlighting their "immense suffering".The UN Secretary-General's comments came as he headed to Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh along with world leaders for the Gaza peace summit. The international gathering was convened after Israeli forces pulled back from parts of Gaza, in line with an agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered in Egypt by US mediators and representatives from Qatar and Turkïye. In a message on X, Mr. Guterres reiterated his call for the release of the bodies of the deceased hostages and urged "all parties to build on this momentum and to honour their commitments under the ceasefire to end the nightmare in Gaza".190,000 tonnes of aid to deliverMeanwhile, UN aid agencies reported significant positive developments in getting aid into Gaza. “Our humanitarian scale-up in Gaza is well underway,” said UN humanitarian agency OCHA, which noted that it had secured Israeli approval for 190,000 tonnes of food, shelter items, medicine and other supplies to enter the Strip, 20,000 more than previously agreed.For the first time since March, cooking gas has been allowed to enter the Strip.In addition, “more tents for displaced families, frozen meat, fresh fruit, flour and medicines also crossed into Gaza throughout the day on Sunday", OCHA said in any update.Crucially, the aid agency reported that its workers and partners were now able to move more easily “in multiple areas” – a welcome development after constant access restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities.This has allowed aid teams to pre-position medical and emergency supplies “to where they are needed most”, the UN agency said, in addition to assessing key roads for explosive hazards and supporting displaced families in flood-prone areas ahead of winter.“This is just the beginning. As part of our plan for the first 60 days of the ceasefire, the UN and our partners will expand the scale and scope of our operations to deliver life-saving aid and services to virtually everyone across Gaza,” OCHA continued.The development is part of the wider humanitarian plan to scale up essential services across food, health, water, shelter, and education, outlined by UN emergency relief chief Tom Fletcher. Its key elements:Food assistance for 2.1 million people, with in-kind rations, bakery and kitchen support, livelihood restoration for herders and fishers, and cash aid for 200,000 families to strengthen dignity and choice.Nutrition programmes: expanded screenings and nutrient-rich food for vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents and pregnant or breastfeeding women.Restoring health care including services, essential medicines, enhanced disease surveillance and expanded emergency and maternal care, along with mental health, and rehabilitation work.Water and sanitation projects for 1.4 million people by repairing grids, sewage systems and waste management, plus hygiene supply distribution.Shelter assistance will be prioritized for displaced and vulnerable families with tents, tarpaulins and other materials ahead of winter.Education boost to reopen temporary learning spaces for 700,000 children with school materials and activities.Symptoms of warTwo years of extreme violence and constant Israeli bombardment have left many families without homes to return to.The violence has also created vast physical and psychological needs across Gaza which UN agencies are already addressing.UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund, underscored that “all one million” youngsters in the Gaza Strip need mental health and psychosocial support.The war has devastated youngsters’ sense of safety, their development and wellbeing, the UN agency insisted, with many displaying “severe stress symptoms” such as withdrawal, nightmares and bedwetting.To help children heal and overcome their fears, UNICEF supports a self-help recovery programme in which trainers show children how to employ stress-management techniques to release and process painful thoughts and images.One device is an imaginary “safety button” that children can press when they feel overwhelmed by their situation.“Whenever I felt scared, I would put my hand on the safety button and take a deep breath in and out. It made me feel so relieved,” said Anas, 15, one of the children helped by the scheme.In 2025, UNICEF said that eight in 10 of the youngsters participating in the programme showed reduced symptoms of traumatic stress.

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09 October 2025

UN chief calls for Israel and Hamas to ‘abide fully’ by terms of US peace plan

The UN Secretary-General has welcomed the announcement from US President Donald Trump that Israel and Hamas have “signed off” on the first phase of his 20-point peace plan, following days of intensive indirect negotiations in Egypt.President Trump announced on social media late on Wednesday that Hamas had agreed to release all the hostages being held inside Gaza “very soon”, while Israel has agreed to a phased withdrawal of its ground forces to “an agreed upon line.”Hamas has reportedly confirmed the deal calling on the international community to ensure Israel abides by its terms.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a “great day for Israel” adding that the Government would meet on Thursday to approve the first phase – including an immediate ceasefire, according to news reports.“I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by President Donald J. Trump,” said UN chief António Guterres in a statement.Praise for the peacemakers“I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt and Türkiye in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough.”The Secretary-General urged “all concerned to abide fully by the terms of the agreement,” including the release of hostages who have been held for over two years now in Gaza “in a dignified manner.”Mr. Guterres insisted that there must be a permanent ceasefire. The United Nations is tasked under the US plan along with the Red Crescent, with overseeing the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid.“The fighting must stop once and for all,” the UN chief continued. “Immediate and unimpeded entry of humanitarian supplies and essential commercial materials into Gaza must be ensured. The suffering must end.”He said the organization would fully support the implementation of the phased agreement, as well as advancing recovery and reconstruction efforts in the devastated Gaza Strip.Seize the day“I urge all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward towards ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and achieving a two-State solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security,” the Secretary-General said.“The stakes have never been higher.”

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07 October 2025

Gaza: Major UN aid operation ‘ready to go’ if agreement is reached on US peace plan

In the event of agreement being reached over the US peace plan in the coming days.That’s according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing correspondents in New York on Monday as indirect talks got underway in Egypt, which has been mediating negotiations along with Qatar and the United States to end the war between Israel and Hamas.On Friday, Hamas said it agreed to significant parts of the 20-point US peace proposal, including the release of all Israeli hostages alive and dead, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.One of the US proposals is for entry and distribution of aid into Gaza to proceed “without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies and the Red Crescent.”Waiting for a green lightMr. Dujarric said in response to questions that the UN is “ready to go as soon as we get the green light…There are thousands of metric tonnes in the pipeline of goods ready to enter.”Qatari and Egyptian negotiators are reportedly holding meetings with delegations from both Israel and Hamas in Sharm El-Sheikh late on Monday as hopes rise of a possible end to the conflict which began exactly two years ago with the Hamas-led terror attacks on communities in southern Israel.Israeli strikes on Gaza have continued despite a call from US President Donald Trump to pause its bombing campaign. Local health authorities reported that 21 Palestinians had been killed on Sunday, with 96 injured.The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reports a reduction in air strikes in recent days - but shelling and gunfire have continued.Emergency funds releasedMr. Dujarric said UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher had allocated $9 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) on Monday to ensure adequate fuel supplies to keep life-saving services running. “Humanitarian access and movement across the Strip remain challenging,” Mr. Dujarric continued.“Yesterday, eight missions that required coordination with the Israeli authorities were facilitated, but six other missions were denied, and five had to be cancelled by the organizers.”Bakeries working flat outThe World Food Programme (WFP) has been able to deliver wheat flour to bakeries this month, which are “currently working up to 22 hours a day and producing some 100,000 bundles of bread daily.”The UN and humanitarian partners prepared and distributed a total of 885,000 meals through 167 kitchens across Gaza on Saturday. However, only 12 kitchens are operating in the north.“We and our partners stress the need for unimpeded and sustained access to all parts of Gaza so that aid can reach people, wherever they are,” said the UN Spokesperson.Displacement sites and shelters in the south are overcrowded, driving some families to stay at garbage dumping sites such as Al Amal, where some 70 tents have been set up over the past few days.OCHA stressed that UN aid teams and partners continue to do whatever they can to meet people’s urgent needs across the Strip, despite the ongoing violence, limited supplies and restricted access.

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Press Release

23 October 2025

With UN-Habitat support, 25 families in Gaza Strip will start repairing their homes

Gaza, 22 October 2025 - Amidst critical humanitarian needs, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), in partnership with the Palestinian Housing Council (PHC) and with generous funding from the Government of Japan, has launched a vital initiative to rehabilitate partially damaged homes in the Gaza Strip. Implemented under the project “Urgent Early Recovery and Resilience Building Towards Reconstruction in the Gaza Strip,” this intervention supports immediate relief efforts while empowering affected families to rebuild their homes with dignity. By adopting a self-help approach, the project empowers affected communities to take an active role in repairing and rehabilitating their own homes, fostering a sense of ownership, resilience, and recovery.As winter approaches in Gaza, and in light of the recent positive developments following the announcement of a ceasefire, this intervention comes at a crucial moment. The initiative is critical for the well-being of families who lost their homes and have been enduring dire living conditions. This community-driven model not only addresses urgent shelter needs but also contributes to alleviating the broader humanitarian crisis. It provides emotional and social support by helping families return to their original homes, restoring a sense of stability and normalcy in their lives.Ms. Rania Hedeya, Regional Director of UN-Habitat, highlighted that “the importance of this initiative goes beyond addressing the immediate and urgent needs of affected families. Its true value lies in its scalability and sustainability, as it offers a replicable model that strengthens community engagement, promotes livelihood opportunities, and ensures cost-effective and efficient implementation. Through the self-help approach, this model can be expanded across multiple neighbourhoods in the Gaza Strip, empowering communities to actively participate in the recovery and reconstruction process.” On the work methodology and implementation on the ground, Chairman of the PHC, Dr. Samih Al Abed, explained that PHC implements a locally led, area-based self-help model: “we begin with rapid structural-safety assessments, prioritize households through dynamic maps, issue clear technical guidance and standardized materials lists, and disburse targeted grants on payments linked with the achievement under mutual-commitment agreements. Then we verify quality through field visits and digital monitoring to ensure safe, dignified, and cost-effective repairs that accelerate families’ return home.”Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine Mr. ARAIKE Katsuhiko stated: “Japan remains steadfast in its support for the Palestinian people facing dire situation through various projects including this which is implemented by UN-Habitat to help rebuild lives and strengthen communities through community-led housing rehabilitation. Japan continues to be committed to working hand in hand with our partners in the Palestinian government, civil society, and the private sector to improve the humanitarian and economic situation in Gaza Strip and West Bank, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Japan and Palestine.”

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Press Release

17 October 2025

1001 Palestinians killed in West Bank since 7 October 2023 - one in five are children

The fatality brings the total number of Palestinian killed by ISF and settlers since 7 October 2023 in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to 1001. One in five of the victims is a child including 206 boys and 7 girls. The number also includes 20 women and at least 7 persons with disabilities. This does not include Palestinians who died in Israeli detention during the same period.The figure represents 43 per cent of all Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank in the past 20 years.Since 7 October 2023, 59 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or armed clashes in the West Bank and Israel, including 16 women and 5 children. Twenty-two of the Israeli fatalities were members of the Israeli security forces.Documentation by the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory attributes this staggering number of killings of Palestinians to the ISF’s systematic use of lethal force against Palestinians in the vast majority of cases, including live fire, airstrikes, and shoulder-fired missiles, in an unlawful, unnecessary, and disproportionate manner, with evident disregard for Palestinians’ right to life, including children.The youngest of the fatalities is two-year-old Laila Khatib, who was shot to death by ISF while in the bedroom of her house in As Shuhada, Jenin. Laila was killed on 25 January 2025 during the Israeli operation known as “Iron Wall,” which resulted in the emptying of three Palestinian refugee camps in Jenin and Tulkarem. In another recent example of child killings, on 8 September, Islam Majarmeh and Mohammad Musaqla, both aged 14, were killed by ISF while trying to get back into Jenin refugee camp, posing no threat whatsoever to soldiers.According to the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, among the 968 Palestinians killed by ISF, almost half (449) were unarmed, and not involved in any violence or confrontation at the time of their killing. One hundred and seventy-four Palestinians, including 71 children, were killed while throwing stones or Molotov cocktails, often at well-equipped and protected ISF or ISF vehicles. In both cases, the use of lethal force appears unnecessary and disproportionate.Seventy-nine Palestinians were killed in attacks and alleged attacks against Israelis, and 247 during exchange of fire with ISF following ISF incursions into Palestinian towns and villages. In many of these cases, the lethal force used appears either unnecessary or disproportionate, which requires full investigation, and where the ISF may be required to explain in what circumstances it became necessary to use lethal force, and what other measures were taken to protect the right to life.At least 331 of these killings raise serious concerns of extrajudicial executions, including the targeted killing of Palestinians accused of participating in or planning attacks against Israelis, as well as the intentional killing of Palestinians only perceived to pose a threat, or no longer posing a threat.Confirming consistent patterns of intentional killings, the UN Human Rights Office documented that among 640 Palestinians killed with live ammunition by ISF, at least in 55 per cent (or 355) were shot in the head or other upper part of the body. In at least 244 of the cases, ISF delayed or obstructed medical assistance to those injured.Despite the absence of hostilities in the occupied West Bank, ISF launched 108 airstrikes and used other weapons designated for warfare to mainly target refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, Tubas, and Nablus. During these operations, ISF killed 445 Palestinians (361 men, 10 women, 70 boys, 4 girls), of whom 258 by airstrikes and 46 by shoulder-fired projectiles, destroyed large parts of the camps, and forcibly displaced between 30,000 and 40,000 Palestinians. While ISF claims that those killed were “terrorists” during such operations, the UN Human Rights Office has verified that the majority of them were unarmed, potentially indicating systematic unlawful killings.Many other cases appear to reflect a callous indifference to Palestinian life. In one of many similar cases, on 8 January 2025, ISF struck with an air-to-ground missile and killed two boys aged 8 and 10, Rida Ali Ahmed Bisharat and Hamza Ammar Ahmed Bisharat, respectively, and a 23-year-old man, Adam Khair Al-Deen Ahmed Bisharat, all unarmed and not posing any threat, while they were within their courtyard in Tammun, Tubas. ISF first stated they struck a possible terrorist cell but later admitted they had not taken sufficient steps to verify the identity of the victims.Following 7 October 2023, settler attacks against Palestinians also reached a new peak in scale and severity, enabled by Israeli policy to draft thousands of settlers into the army and to provide further weapons to settlers. This has led to the killing of 33 Palestinians, including 3 children, 19 of whom were killed by settlers, while 14 were killed by settlers and the army shooting side by side.International standards require Israel to ensure an independent and effective investigation of all incidents where individuals have been killed in violent or suspicious circumstances, including as a result of the use of force by agents of the State. However, Israeli authorities have only announced investigations into deaths following settler violence and the use of lethal force by Israeli security forces in extremely rare cases. In these few cases, there appears to have been no progress, maintaining the almost complete impunity for the use of unlawful force and the unlawful killing of Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The large numbers of Palestinians killed in this period, the prevalence of the unlawful use of force, the enabling and support for settler violence and the endemic impunity for crimes committed against Palestinians, all suggest that Israeli security forces use lethal and potentially lethal force as a tool to control and repress Palestinians, rather than as the last resort to restore and maintain public order and civil life for the Palestinians.

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Press Release

15 October 2025

Gaza: ongoing violations and risks to civilians

Concerns about unlawful conduct by Hamas and affiliated armed groupsSince 10 October, armed clashes have intensified between Hamas and groups affiliated with it and rival groups and families, some of whom are reportedly supported by the Israeli military.On 13 October, the Sahm Unit, allegedly affiliated with the Gaza Ministry of Interior, published video footage apparently showing the public summary execution of eight blindfolded and handcuffed men from the same family in Gaza City. This incident was reportedly in retaliation for an exchange of fire between members of the family and persons affiliated with Hamas the day before.The Sahm Unit has publicly announced operations to allegedly “cleanse criminals” from another family, also in Gaza City, and claimed to have killed two alleged “collaborators” in the area.Two years of relentless Israeli bombardment have dismantled Gaza’s governance and law enforcement structures. While restoring public order is an urgent priority, responses must fully comply with international human rights standards, particularly the strict limitations on the use of lethal force in the context of law enforcement and the prohibition of summary or extrajudicial execution. The carrying out of executions without a previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court, offering all judicial guarantees, also amounts to a war crime. The UN Human Rights office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory reminds Hamas that they must respect international human rights norms and standards when their conduct affects the rights of persons under their control. Hamas must prevent and repress any violation or abuse committed by its members. Civilian killings around redeployment linesIsraeli forces have redeployed from certain areas while maintaining control of more than 50% of Gaza, including almost all of Rafah and large parts of Khan Younis, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, as well as parts of Gaza City. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are moving back to the areas from which they were displaced, including to areas in close proximity to the remaining Israeli ground forces.On the morning of 14 October, Israeli military reportedly fired on Palestinians attempting to return to their homes in Ash Shuja’iya, eastern Gaza City, killing three. Later that day, the Israeli military stated its forces shot and killed individuals in northern Gaza who crossed “the withdrawal line” after ignoring Israeli warning. So far, since 10 October, the Office has recorded 15 Palestinians killed in such areas.The Israeli military remains bound by international humanitarian law’s principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions. The targeting of civilians not directly participating in hostilities constitutes a war crime regardless of the location of the incident and its proximity to agreed deployment lines. The Israeli military must take immediate measures to ensure its rules of engagement prevent further unlawful killings.“The situation in Gaza remains precarious and uncertain. It is imperative to ensure that the ceasefire holds and progresses to recovery and the full realisation of Palestinians’ right to self-determination,” said Ajith Sunghay, Head of the UN Human Rights office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. “It is equally imperative to ensure that recovery efforts, including the restoration of public order and civil life, comply with international law protections of Palestinians’ human rights.”

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Press Release

29 September 2025

Palestinian Youth Lead Dialogue with Donors and International Community on International Youth Day 2025

The event brought together Palestinian youth leaders, government partners, donor representatives, and UN agencies for an intergenerational dialogue on the urgent realities and future priorities of young people in Palestine. Youth Opening: A Generation that Refuses to Give UpThe roundtable was opened by Younes Jaafreh, a member of the Youth Advisory Panel and a young journalist from Hebron, who spoke on behalf of Palestinian youth:“We are not just a demographic group, and we are not mere beneficiaries of programs. We are true partners, storytellers, and builders of hope. This dialogue is a platform for truth-telling and a message to the world that Palestinian youth, despite destruction, hunger, and daily violence, continue to dream and shape a better future.”He introduced a diverse programme of testimonies from young leaders across Gaza, West Bank, and Jerusalem, highlighting themes of resilience, education, disability inclusion, youth-led recovery, women’s participation, and economic innovation.The dialogue was attended by representatives from Egypt, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, the European Union, Italy, and Sweden, alongside Palestinian government institutions including the Higher Council for Youth and Sports (HCYS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). UN agencies present included UNFPA, UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, UNODC, OCHA, and OHCHR.Opening the event, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, emphasized the significance of the dialogue:“Palestinian youth are not just beneficiaries of aid. They are leaders, innovators, and peacebuilders. Today’s dialogue is not the end. It is a call to action. We must invest in their skills, expand mental health support, and fund youth-led organizations. By doing so, we do not just support youth. We shape the future of Palestine.”He called for concrete intergenerational commitments that respond to urgent youth realities while linking local priorities to global frameworks such as Youth2030, the Pact for the Future, and the SDGs.Youth Calls to ActionThe dialogue concluded with strong reflections and calls for action delivered by Majdoulene Kerish, a young economist from Jerusalem, summarized the collective recommendations of Palestinian youth:Invest in inclusive societies for youth with disabilities.Rebuild and protect schools, safeguard Palestinian identity in education, and expand community-based learning.Provide direct, flexible funding for youth-led initiatives. Expand livelihood opportunities, from start-ups in Gaza to economic anchoring in Jerusalem.Institutionalize youth voices in all recovery and planning processes.Establish a joint youth–government–international task force for agile responses.Update national data through a new youth survey to ensure evidence-based policies.“Youth are not passive recipients of assistance,” Majdoulene affirmed. “We are active agents of resilience, recovery, and change. Every dollar invested in us yields 23 to 28 dollars in return. The smartest investment Palestine and the world can make is in its youth.”The roundtable produced a set of recommendations that will inform national recovery frameworks and the upcoming High-Level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly on Youth at the General Assembly in New York, held in conjunction with the UN 80th General Assembly.

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Press Release

24 September 2025

Israel’s tactics are inflicting terror on the Palestinian population of Gaza City and forcing tens of thousands to flee

This escalates from existing tactics in previous weeks of targeting civilian infrastructure as well as the unlawful destruction of residential buildings and neighbourhoods under its control, which continued and contributed to the mass displacement. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities, especially the Minister of Defence, have publicly threatened to destroy Gaza City if Hamas does not comply with Israel’s demands. Such tactics and statements seem intended to inflict terror and fear amongst civilians and to force them to leave northern Gaza. During the 48 hours of 12 and 13 September, the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory recorded 44 incidents involving attacks on residential buildings in Gaza City. Three such incidents out of 44 resulted in fatalities, with 8 Palestinians killed in total. However, this last weekend saw a marked increase in the number of fatalities. During the 48 hours of 19 and 20 September, we recorded 18 incidents involving attacks on residential buildings in Gaza City, out of which 8 incidents resulted in fatalities, with at least 51 Palestinians reportedly killed in total, with more likely remaining under the rubble. Reports indicate that almost all those killed are civilians. The deadliest incident was the strike that took place on 20 September without warning on a residential block, including three inhabited residential buildings belonging to the Daghmash family, in As Sabra, southern Gaza City. The attack reportedly resulted in the killing of at least 20 family members, including 4 women and 12 children, with dozens reported as missing under the rubble. Tragically, another residential building of the Daghmash family in the same area had been struck the day before, killing 8 family members, including at least 1 woman and 4 girls.These killings, in addition to the steady advance of the Israeli ground forces towards western Gaza City, demolishing residential buildings under its control on the way, appear to have resulted in renewed waves of mass forced displacement to the south of Gaza where there is no space, infrastructure or basic necessities to support the influx of Internally Displaced Persons and where the Israeli military continues to strike IDP shelters. Between 17 and 20 September, reportedly 81,621 Palestinians were displaced from the northern to southern Gaza, in comparison to 68,826 displaced between 10 and 14 September, according to the Site Management Cluster. Palestinian armed groups are prohibited by international law from any intentional co-location of military objectives and civilians or persons hors de combat with the specific intent of trying to prevent the targeting of those military objectives, but any such practice, whether alleged or proven, does not negate Israel’s obligation to ensure strict compliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution required by International Humanitarian Law and to protect the civilian population of Gaza. The Israeli military attacks on civilians and civilian objects are driving Palestinians out of Gaza City, while the destruction of their homes is making it likely that this displacement will be permanent. The UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory reiterates its calls on Israel’s military to immediately end the killing of Palestinian civilians and the wanton destruction of Gaza City, which appears to be focused on causing a permanent demographic shift, which is tantamount to ethnic cleansing. The conduct of the Israeli military in Gaza also raises concerns of the commission of the whole range of crimes under international law. The international community must take concrete actions to stop the senseless destruction, killings and displacement.

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