Gaza: Hostilities, deprivation fuel catastrophic conditions – OCHA

30 May 2025

OCHA warns that that the catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst it has been since the war began.

Strikes have continued across the Strip, particularly in North Gaza, where the last remaining partially functioning hospital, Al Awda, was forced to evacuate last night after repeated strikes on and around the facility in recent days. Attacks also continued farther south in Deir al Balah, in areas of Al Bureij and An Nuseirat camps.

One of the strikes earlier this week reportedly killed nine members of a journalist’s family and injured 15 other people when their home was hit. Meanwhile, IHH – an international aid organization that runs community kitchens and nutrition points – reported on Wednesday that five of its workers had been killed and two injured in the previous two days. OCHA underscores once again that civilians, including aid workers, must always be protected.

Displacement continued across Gaza, with nearly 200,000 people displaced in the last two weeks alone. Yesterday, Israeli authorities issued a renewed displacement order covering about 30 per cent of Gaza’s total territory in North Gaza, eastern parts of Gaza city and Deir al Balah.

To date, displacement orders have covered the entirety of the northernmost and southernmost governorates, as well as the eastern parts of each of the three governorates in between. Partners note that the limited movement of people observed in recent days appears to be driven by the search for food and necessities, rather than displacement orders.

The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide support to people in need, despite the immense challenges on the ground and the crippling restrictions on the amount and type of assistance being allowed into Gaza. Yesterday, the UN and its humanitarian partners only managed to collect five truckloads of cargo from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom. The other 60 trucks had to return to the crossing due to intense hostilities in the area.

Meanwhile in Gaza city, partners working to address shelter needs managed to distribute 45 emergency shelter kits to families as part of a pilot initiative aimed at pooling resources to respond to some of the most critical needs.

Humanitarian needs have exploded in Gaza following nearly 80 days of a total blockade of all supplies. The limited amounts of aid now entering the Strip are nowhere near sufficient to support 2.1 million people in desperate need of assistance.

As conditions on the ground further deteriorate and public order and safety break down, looting incidents continue to be reported. Today, a group ‎of armed individuals stormed the warehouses of a field hospital in Deir al Balah, looting large quantities of ‎medical equipment, supplies, medicines and nutritional supplements intended for ‎malnourished children.

It is critical that those who stormed and looted the health facility be held accountable. To meet humanitarian needs and help reduce looting, it is essential to get more aid and essential commercial goods into Gaza, and to facilitate their safe distribution across the Strip. This means letting in far more critical supplies through multiple crossings and routes. Israel, as the occupying power, bears the primary responsibility for restoring public order and safety, which must be a top priority. This could take different forms; among them would be allowing civilian police in Gaza to operate in accordance with law enforcement standards. Criminal looting must be stopped decisively and through lawful means.

The humanitarian community reiterates the need for a full lifting of the blockade on Gaza and action to ensure that the root causes of widespread deprivation across the Strip are addressed.

West Bank: Settler violence injures, displaces Palestinians

OCHA reports that Israeli settler violence in the West Bank is on the rise*. So far this year, settlers have injured more than 220 Palestinians – an average of 44 per month, and the highest rate in at least 20 years.

As a result of such attacks – and following the establishment of a fourth settlement outpost near their homes – the entire Palestinian Bedouin community of Maghayer ad Deir, numbering some 120 people, was forcibly displaced.

Meanwhile, Israeli-imposed movement restrictions across Salfit governorate – in the northern West Bank – continue to disrupt the access of nearly 90,000 people to healthcare, education and livelihoods. This follows a nine-day operation by Israeli forces in Salfit. These restrictions have forced Palestinians to take long detours, increased transportation costs, and caused major disruptions to their daily lives.

OCHA reiterates that civilians’ needs must be met, including through ensuring safe and unimpeded access to critical services.