OCHA warns Occupied West Bank facing dire consequences due to Israeli operations

By Anjali Sharma

UNITED NATIONS – UN relief agency for Palestine refugees and OCHA on Friday warned that ongoing Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank are exacerbating an dire situation for displaced Palestinians.

UNRWA reported that Israeli authorities have started demolishing more than 16 buildings in Nur Shams refugee camp, after destroying over two dozen homes over the past week in the occupied West Bank.

According to a new assessment from the UN aid coordination office said those displaced are staying at public shelters in Jenin and Tulkarm, with many lacking bare necessities.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York that “Less than half of the people our teams interviewed said they could afford food, with many reducing or skipping meals. Children are also unable to attend school”.

The humanitarian partners have been providing life-saving assistance, distributing food parcels and daily meals since the Israeli strikes in Jan.

Over 5,000 families have received cash assistance to meet their basic needs, and relief efforts have included the provision of bedding, dignity kits, water storage tanks and mobile latrines in Jenin, Tulkarm and Tubas, OCHA reported.

According to OCHA, the closure of the Tayaseer checkpoint since February has severely hampered movement for more than 60,000 Palestinians.

It noted that on the first Friday of Ramadan, these restrictions prevented thousands of Palestinian worshippers from reaching holy sites.

Israeli authorities have allowed Palestinians access to East Jerusalem and the H2 area of Hebron, they have set up hundreds of metal barriers and imposed restrictions based on age and gender, with the condition that worshippers possess Israeli-issued permits.

OCHA has deployed teams to identify potential protection risks and possible measures for Palestinians to cross, with particular attention to the most vulnerable.

In Gaza, humanitarian organizations warned that the closure of all crossings for nearly a week has cut off the flow of critical aid, exacerbating suffering among civilians who have already endured months of hardship.

“It is critical that humanitarian assistance is allowed to enter Gaza without delay,” said Mr. Dujarric.

He added that under international humanitarian law, Israel, as the occupying power, is required to ensure that people’s essential needs are met, including by facilitating aid into Gaza.