In brief
UN partners report that recent airstrikes in Gaza have damaged a UN warehouse and displaced around 100 families, while about 3,000 Palestinians remain displaced in Hebron due to Israeli operations restricting movement. Health officials highlight rising respiratory and meningitis cases linked to overcrowding and infrastructure decline. The UN urges unrestricted humanitarian access and protection of civilians on both sides.
On Thursday, United Nations humanitarian agencies released a report outlining the impact of recent Israeli airstrikes and ground operations on Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the strikes have damaged infrastructure in Gaza’s Khan Younis and caused the displacement of approximately 100 families, while roughly 3,000 Palestinians in Hebron remain uprooted by restrictions imposed by Israeli forces.
In Gaza, a UN warehouse in the Khan Younis district was struck by flying debris from an airstrike, but UN staff members were unhurt. Earlier that week, explosions near UNOPS facilities and the detainment of humanitarian convoy drivers at checkpoints further compounded the humanitarian crisis. OCHA reported that these incidents have forced about 100 Palestinian families to lose tents and other belongings, triggering a rapid response by UN partners to deliver immediate aid.
Across the separation barrier, the West Bank has seen a more prolonged disruption. The Hebron Municipality recorded that about 3,000 Palestinians remain displaced from two neighborhoods, as Israeli troops continue to patrol and restrict movement within the city. The OCHA notes that these operations hinder families’ access to livelihoods, education, and essential services such as healthcare. Most displaced families are staying with relatives, who have received assistance from local authorities and humanitarian partners.
Health conditions in Gaza compound the humanitarian challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that acute respiratory infections dominate the disease burden, with viral meningitis cases increasing to over 200 and probable bacterial meningitis rising to over 70 in the period from October 7, 2023 to September 30, 2026. WHO findings link the surge to overcrowded shelters, degraded water and sanitation infrastructure, and shortages of essential treatments. OCHA emphasizes that the crisis is “heightening transmission risks” and calls for the lifting of restrictions on the entry of humanitarian supplies, specialized equipment, engine oil, spare parts, and other critical items.
“Health partners say that overcrowding, degraded water and sanitation infrastructure, and shortages of essential treatments continue to heighten transmission risks,” OCHA said.
UNOCHA and WHO have urged member states to provide additional funding to support the intensified aid response. They also stress that all parties must uphold their obligations to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel, and to allow unhindered humanitarian access to affected areas.
In a closing statement, OCHA emphasized that Palestinians across the West Bank must be protected and that those displaced should be permitted to return voluntarily. The report underscores the urgent need for a sustained humanitarian corridor and the restoration of essential services to mitigate the long‑term impact of the conflict on civilian populations.
