UN warns of winter crisis in Gaza as West Bank displacement surges

The United Nations has issued a stark warning about rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip as winter approaches, while reporting a concurrent surge in new displacements in the occupied West Bank. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric detailed the dual crises, highlighting that ongoing hostilities in Gaza and intensified Israeli military operations in the West Bank are overwhelming aid efforts and deepening civilian suffering.

Aid Scramble Amidst Continued Violence in Gaza

Dujarric reported that UN agencies and partners are attempting to scale up winter assistance, distributing tens of thousands of critical items like shoes, blankets, and clothing to children across Gaza, who have "suffered immensely" over two years of war. Despite these efforts, he stressed that "over the past 24 hours, we’ve continued also to receive reports of air strikes, shelling and gunfire in all five governorates of the Gaza Strip," severely complicating relief work and endangering lives.

A Medical Catastrophe and Closed Corridors

The health situation remains catastrophic. A World Health Organization team recently facilitated the medical evacuation of 18 patients and 54 companions from Gaza, but over 16,500 patients still require life-saving treatment outside the besieged enclave. Dujarric reiterated the urgent UN call "for the opening of all available border crossings and corridors," including for patients to reach the West Bank, and stressed the need for "unimpeded access for international emergency medical teams to enter Gaza."

Escalating Displacement and Destruction in the West Bank

The crisis extends beyond Gaza. The UN expressed deep concern over Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank governorates of Tubas and Jenin, which have led to reports of new displacement, insecurity, destruction of water networks, and the closure of commercial structures. Dujarric revealed that in just the past two days, nearly two dozen Palestinian families were displaced after their homes were converted into Israeli military observation posts, underscoring a pattern of forcible transfer.

A Collapsing Humanitarian Landscape

These developments paint a picture of a collapsing humanitarian landscape across Palestinian territories. With Gaza's infrastructure in ruins and its population exposed to the elements, and the West Bank experiencing accelerated destabilization, international aid systems are being pushed to their limits. The UN's appeals underscore the critical need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, full humanitarian access, and a political solution to prevent a winter of unprecedented suffering.