A recent assessment conducted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and other UN partners has revealed that displaced Palestinians living in 12 public shelters in Jenin and Tulkarm are facing dire humanitarian conditions, lacking access to clean water, medicine, beds, sanitation facilities, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
According to the United Nations Information Center, OCHA has warned that the ongoing Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank continue to have a devastating humanitarian impact. Israeli forces have demolished over 16 buildings in the Nur Shams refugee camp, following the destruction of more than 20 homes in the area last week.
Food Insecurity and Restricted Access to Services
The assessment found that less than half of those surveyed could afford food, with many reducing meal intake or skipping meals entirely. Additionally, children have been unable to attend school due to the deteriorating situation.
Since the Israeli military operation began in January, OCHA and its partners have been providing life-saving aid to affected communities. Emergency relief efforts have included:
Daily food and meal distributions to families in need.
Cash assistance for over 5,000 families to help them meet essential needs.
Provision of water tanks and mobile toilets in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas.
Severe Movement Restrictions and Access Denial
OCHA reported that movement restrictions continue to hinder Palestinians' access across the West Bank. The closure of the Tayasir checkpoint since February has severely restricted movement for more than 60,000 Palestinians between the northern Jordan Valley and the rest of Tubas governorate. Access to markets, workplaces, and essential services remains heavily disrupted.
Restrictions on Worship and Entry to Jerusalem
Since the first Friday of Ramadan, Israeli authorities have imposed strict access restrictions, preventing thousands of Palestinian worshipers from reaching holy sites. While some Palestinians were allowed into East Jerusalem and the H2 area in Hebron, entry was conditioned by age and gender restrictions and required Israeli-issued permits. Additionally, hundreds of metal barriers were erected to tighten control over movement.
OCHA has deployed monitoring teams at checkpoints to assess protection risks and possible measures to facilitate access, with special attention to vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Preliminary findings indicate that fewer checkpoints were open this year, and a significantly lower number of people were allowed to pass compared to last year’s Ramadan Fridays.
Gaza Crossings Closed, Exacerbating Humanitarian Crisis
OCHA also highlighted the continued closure of Gaza’s border crossings for nearly a week, preventing the entry of humanitarian aid, with catastrophic consequences for civilians who have endured months of extreme hardship. The agency urged Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza without delay, emphasizing that, under international humanitarian law, Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to ensure that basic needs are met and facilitate aid access throughout Gaza.
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