OHCHR Warns of Alarming Situation in Gaza, West Bank

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has voiced deep concern over the worsening humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and the West Bank, warning that its own staff in the Palestinian territories are enduring the same hardships faced by civilians.

Ajith Sanjay, head of the OHCHR office in Palestine, said that the situation on the ground is "extremely worrying," as the Commission continues to document and monitor human rights violations despite mounting challenges.

"Our national teams in Gaza and the West Bank are themselves Palestinians. They are victims of the crisis as well," Sanjay said. "They struggle to secure food and freedom of movement, yet they persist in documenting violations and preparing reports."

According to Sanjay, OHCHR reports have consistently highlighted grave abuses, including the killing of journalists and civilians, rising settler violence, destruction of Palestinian land, and forced displacement attempts. He stressed the importance of bringing these violations to the attention of the international community to shed light on the scale of the crisis in the occupied territories.

Despite severe obstacles, Sanjay noted that the OHCHR has managed to carry out monitoring and documentation missions, underscoring that while the work is far from ideal, maintaining a presence on the ground is “critical” amid escalating humanitarian and security threats.