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Country analysis

Palestine


The Israel–Palestine conflict continues to generate severe needs driven by the Israeli occupation, recurring periods of escalating hostilities, violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, and internal Palestinian political division. In 2025, an estimated 3.3 million (all 2.1 million Gazans and 1.2 million from the West Bank) out of a population of 5.3 million will need humanitarian assistance.

In Gaza, following the latest round of hostilities that erupted in October 2023, over one million remained displaced, while 500,000 had returned to northern Gaza from the south by February. Almost the entire population faces severe challenges accessing shelter, water, food, health services, and education. The hostilities have decreased after Hamas and Israel agreed on a ceasefire on 19 January, though it is fragile and continues to be violated. By February, Israel hostilities had destroyed or damaged 92% of housing units. 91% of people likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity.

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In the West Bank, Palestinians face serious protection challenges from the Israeli occupation, settler violence, and the Palestinian Authority’s excessive use of force. On 21 January, Israel started a military operation affecting Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarem governorates, displacing at least 45,000 people by March. (OCHA 11/12/2024, OCHA 11/02/2025, IOM 11/02/2025, OHCHR 14/02/2025)

The Israel–Palestine conflict continues to generate severe needs driven by the Israeli occupation, recurring periods of escalating hostilities, violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws, and internal Palestinian political division. In 2025, an estimated 3.3 million (all 2.1 million Gazans and 1.2 million from the West Bank) out of a population of 5.3 million will need humanitarian assistance.

In Gaza, following the latest round of hostilities that erupted in October 2023, over one million remained displaced, while 500,000 had returned to northern Gaza from the south by February. Almost the entire population faces severe challenges accessing shelter, water, food, health services, and education. The hostilities have decreased after Hamas and Israel agreed on a ceasefire on 19 January, though it is fragile and continues to be violated. By February, Israel hostilities had destroyed or damaged 92% of housing units. 91% of people likely face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity.

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In the West Bank, Palestinians face serious protection challenges from the Israeli occupation, settler violence, and the Palestinian Authority’s excessive use of force. On 21 January, Israel started a military operation affecting Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarem governorates, displacing at least 45,000 people by March. (OCHA 11/12/2024, OCHA 11/02/2025, IOM 11/02/2025, OHCHR 14/02/2025)

Latest updates on country situation

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)

23 January 2025

Since 21 January, a military raid by Israel on Jenin camp in the West Bank has led to the displacement of at least 600 Palestinians, the death of 10, and injuries to 40. Up until 22 January, some of the IDPs were staying in the Jenin municipality building, while others remained in open areas and required shelter or tents. Since mid-December, escalations in Jenin camp have displaced an estimated 9,200 people. (The New Arab 22/01/2025, MEE 22/01/2025, UN 21/01/2025)

current crises
in Palestine


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

PSE003 - Conflict in West Bank

Last updated 13/02/2025


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.6 High

Access constraints

4.0

PSE004 - Conflict in Gaza

Last updated 13/02/2025


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

PSE002 - Conflict

Last updated 13/02/2025


Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.4 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

Analysis products
on Palestine

Palestine: end of ceasefire and blockade in Gaza

25 March 2025

Palestine: end of ceasefire and blockade in Gaza

DOCUMENT / PDF / 207 KB

On the evening of 17 March 2025, Israel unilaterally ended the ceasefire that it agreed upon with Hamas on 15 January, launching air strikes on Gaza. During the ceasefire, Israel had killed at least 170 Gazans and allowed only 70% of the 600 aid trucks to be allowed in daily. The 17 March air strikes killed at least 404 civilians and injured around 660. 

Conflict and violence
Palestine: current and anticipated developments in West Bank

03 March 2025

Palestine: current and anticipated developments in West Bank

DOCUMENT / PDF / 759 KB

Since December 2024, Israeli military forces have intensified their operations across the West Bank, with a major escalation occurring shortly after the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect on 19 January 2025

Anticipatory analysisConflict and violence
Gaza ceasefire: priority needs & risks

17 January 2025

Gaza ceasefire: priority needs & risks

DOCUMENT / PDF / 216 KB

On 15 January 2025, mediators announced a ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas that would end the conflict that began on 7 October 2023. While an influx of aid and a cessation of hostilities will reduce threats to Gazans, humanitarian needs will remain severe, access will likely remain limited, and deaths will continue to occur throughout the first phase of the ceasefire.

Conflict and violence
Palestine: Anticipated impacts of the 2024−2025 winter season in Gaza

30 October 2024

Palestine: Anticipated impacts of the 2024−2025 winter season in Gaza

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

This report aims to highlight the anticipated humanitarian impact of the coming winter season on the population in Gaza. It particularly focuses on shelter and NFIs, WASH, and health, the sectors anticipated to face the most winter-related impacts.

Anticipatory analysisNatural hazards

Attached resources

Palestine: Humanitarian impact of escalating conflict in northern Gaza

18 October 2024

Palestine: Humanitarian impact of escalating conflict in northern Gaza

DOCUMENT / PDF / 143 KB

On 5 October 2024, Israel launched offensives in northern Gaza. It has been estimated that around 75,000 people were displaced between 5–15 October. Most are internally displaced within northern Gaza, fleeing from North Gaza to Gaza City governorate, as continued fighting and blocked roads prevent movement to south.

Conflict and violence
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