Palestine

18 March 2025

Since 18 March 2025, Israeli air strikes and bombardments in Gaza have intensified, breaking the ceasefire and resulting in over 400 deaths and at least 560 injuries. The escalation has triggered new displacement, with thousands seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters. Critical infrastructure targeted during the recent Israeli attacks include a school in Gaza city, an IDP site in Al Mawasi, and IDP tents in Rafah. The intensification of Israeli attacks follows the Israeli authorities’ decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies into Gaza from 2 March 2025. The blockade has severely disrupted the humanitarian response, further worsening already severe humanitarian conditions. Urgent needs include medical supplies, food, tents, and fuel for hospitals and water stations, as well as repairs to critical infrastructure, such as health facilities, to prevent the further deterioration of critical services. (CARE 18/03/2025, OCHA 18/03/2025, AJ 18/03/2025)

12 March 2025

Food shortages are likely to drive up food insecurity levels as Israel continues the humanitarian aid blockade it imposed starting 2 March 2025. Other services such as medical care are also lacking. Access to clean drinking water for at least 600,000 IDPs in central and southern Gaza has also been disrupted since Israel cut off electricity on 9 March, which is needed to run the desalination plant and provide drinking water. (AI 10/03/2025, AJ 10/03/2025, OCHA 11/03/2025)

26 February 2025

At least six babies died between 24–25 February 2025 because of extremely cold weather, lack of heating, and lack of adequate housing in Gaza. This brings the total of deaths from hypothermia to 13, as six babies and one adult died in December 2024. The Israeli forces continue to restrict the entry of mobile housing, leaving many returnees staying in makeshift shelters. (OCHA 25/02/2025, Roya 25/02/2025, AJ 01/01/2025)

12 February 2025

Israel’s Iron Wall military operation, which began on 21 January 2025, has affected over 77,000 people, including 40 killed and at least 40,000 displaced from northern West Bank. The most affected areas are Al Fara, Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem refugee camps. The hostilities have rendered all the camps uninhabitable. The majority of IDPs are staying in rented accommodation and need food, medicine, and emergency services. The destruction of key infrastructure in the camps, including damage to water networks, is affecting water availability. People are experiencing severe access restrictions to services owing to the increase in the number of checkpoints set up by Israeli forces and the destruction of key roads. These restrictions are also delaying the response of emergency medical teams, resulting in more fatalities among injured people. (UNRWA 10/02/2025, OCHA 06/02/2025, UN 10/02/2025)

05 February 2025

Since 21 January 2025, an Israeli military raid on the West Bank had displaced at least 20,000 people in Jenin camp and 6,000 in Tulkarem camp by early February. The people have moved from the camps to Tulkarem city and its outskirts. The attacks have severely restricted the movement of goods into the camps, causing disruptions to electricity and communications and shortages of water and basic materials, such as baby milk, diapers, and medicine. (MSF 03/02/2025, Al Araby 05/02/2025)

29 January 2025

Over 376,000 people have returned to northern Gaza from the south after Israeli forces withdrew from key roads along the Netzarim corridor on 27 January 2025. More IDPs are likely to return in the coming days. The journey back, along the coastal Al Rashid Street, is difficult, especially for older people, injured people, and children. Most IDPs are walking, with some older individuals collapsing from exhaustion. The road itself suffered significant damage during the conflict, making passage difficult in several areas. Returnees encounter widespread devastation in northern Gaza, with over 90% of homes damaged, leaving them without shelter, clean water, sanitation, food, and other necessities. Gaza’s Government Media Office estimates that Gaza City will need 135,000 tents and shelters to accommodate displaced families. Humanitarian access has been improving since the ceasefire, with an increase in the daily entry of supplies through the Erez, Kerem Shalom, and Zikim crossings. (OCHA 28/01/2025, AJ 28/01/2025, The Guardian 28/01/2025)