Gaza: Children reportedly killed while waiting for nutrition supplies – OCHA

10 July 2025

OCHA says that as Israeli military operations continue across the Gaza Strip – including shelling and ground incursions – more deaths and displacement are being reported by the day, as hopes for a possible ceasefire remain on the horizon.

This morning, people waiting to get nutritional supplies for children were reportedly killed in Deir al Balah. In a statement today, UNICEF’s Executive Director Catherine Russell said she was appalled by the reported killing of 15 Palestinians, including nine children and four women. Thirty others – including 19 children – were reportedly injured.

“The killing of families trying to access life-saving aid is unconscionable,” Russell said. “These were mothers seeking a lifeline for their children after months of hunger and deprivation.”

OCHA stresses that parties are bound by international humanitarian law to prevent such excessive death and injury of civilians in the midst of war. All parties must take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimize civilian harm. Indiscriminate attacks are strictly prohibited.

Another strike today reportedly hit the office of a humanitarian partner in Gaza city, with three staff reported killed.

Two days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that between October 2023 and the end of June 2025, more than 740 attacks on healthcare affected 125 health facilities in Gaza. These include 34 hospitals that were damaged, as well as 188 ambulances affected.

WHO added that more than 485,000 people suffer from mental health disorders in Gaza, and at least 500,000 women of reproductive age lack access to essential services, including pre- and postnatal care, family planning, and management of sexual transmitted infections.

Yesterday, a UN team managed to bring about 75,000 litres of fuel from Israel into Gaza, marking the first such provision in 130 days. The UN and its humanitarian partners need hundreds of thousands of litres of fuel each day to keep essential, life-sustaining operations going – meaning the amount that entered yesterday is not sufficient to cover even one day of energy requirements.

Fuel is still running out in the Strip, and services will shut down if far greater volumes do not enter immediately.

One partner, for instance, reported this week that in a matter of days, fuel shortages could cut off supplies of clean drinking water to about 44,000 children supported by its team in Gaza. This would further increase the risk of waterborne illnesses such as cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery.

Yesterday, partners providing education services said that between October 2023 and June 2025, 626 temporary learning spaces have been established in Gaza, with 240,000 students enrolled, about half of whom are girls.

However, partners say that only 299 spaces are currently operational due to ongoing displacement orders, funding shortfalls and other challenges. These spaces accommodate 113,000 students and 3,250 teachers, offering them continuity of education and some physical protection.

Humanitarian partners – including first responders, health workers and aid workers – continue to deliver food and other assistance under intolerable conditions, but they themselves are facing hunger, water scarcity and threats to their personal safety, just like everyone else in Gaza.

This catastrophic situation must end. A ceasefire is not just urgent; it is long overdue.

West Bank: Israeli operations, settler attacks imperil civilians

OCHA continues to warn of the intensification of operations by Israeli forces in northern areas of the West Bank. These operations are causing massive destruction, driving further humanitarian needs, and dampening hopes of thousands of displaced families that they will be able to go back home.

Meanwhile, attacks, harassment and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinians have become a daily reality – including a settler attack on 3 July that led to the displacement of the Mu’arrajat East Bedouin community in the central West Bank.

Children in this community risk losing access to education, as settlers raided the community school, ransacked property and sprayed anti-Palestinian graffiti. The school, which previously served more than 70 students and has been under threat of demolition for years, now stands empty.

This is the ninth community to be fully displaced in the Ramallah and Jericho areas since January 2023, following recurrent attacks by Israeli settlers. Another four communities in the area are at high risk of displacement due to recurrent settler attacks and access restrictions.