By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said on Friday that aid operations in the Gaza Strip continue to reach people from north to south with critical assistance, including cash.
OCHA reported that some 138,000 Palestinians have benefited from cash assistance, including people with disabilities and pregnant and breastfeeding women since the ceasefire on 19 January.
UNICEF reported that market conditions across Gaza have improved since the ceasefire took effect. Goods are reportedly less expensive, and more commodities are available.
Children under age five and pregnant and breastfeeding women have a more diverse diet. They are consuming more fruit, vegetables, eggs and dairy products.
Humanitarians also continue to provide shelter support to people in Gaza, with the UN Palestine refugee agency, distributing tents, tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, clothes and kitchen items to thousands of families hosted in 120 shelters, OCHA said.
OCHA voiced concern by Israeli forces’ ongoing operations in the northern part of the West Bank which began on 21 January, the longest there since the early 2000s.
It warned that settler violence also continues. Between 11 and 17 February, the agency documented 34 incidents an average of almost five per day involving settlers and resulting in casualties or property damage.
Israeli settlers severed agricultural water pipes in the Tulkarm governorate, affecting the livelihoods of a dozen Palestinian farmers, OCHA said.
Over 40 Palestinians were displaced near Al Maniya village in Bethlehem following recurrent attacks from Israeli settlers over the past year.
It noted that access restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities continue to hinder Palestinians’ movement, affecting access to markets, workplaces, emergency services and health and educational facilities.
OCHA has documented the displacement 2,300 Palestinians, including 1,100 children, across the West Bank since the start of 2023 due to heightened settler violence and access restrictions by Israeli authorities.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the Secretary-General Mr. Guterres is deeply concerned by reports that the remains of an Israeli hostage in Gaza, Shiri Bibas, which were due to be returned on Thursday alongside her children’s remains, are still missing.
He “stresses the imperative to respect the dignity of the deceased and to ensure their remains are returned to their families in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights law,” he said.
Guterres underlined that every release must be carried out with the utmost dignity and in line with humanitarian principles.
He renewed his appeal to the parties to abide by all their commitments and continue the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release deal.
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