GENEVA — United Nations agencies on Thursday warned that the humanitarian situation facing displaced Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank is continuing to deteriorate, citing repeated displacement, restricted humanitarian access, worsening health conditions and growing funding shortfalls that are limiting relief operations.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said most of Gaza's population remains displaced after more than two years of conflict, while military activity, expanding access-restricted areas and repeated evacuations continue to force civilians from their homes. OCHA said humanitarian organizations are struggling to meet rising needs because of insecurity, movement restrictions and insufficient funding.
According to OCHA's latest humanitarian situation report, the number of families receiving shelter assistance in Gaza fell sharply between May and June because of funding shortages, leaving many displaced people exposed to harsh summer conditions in overcrowded shelters, damaged buildings and makeshift camps. The agency also said new displacement has continued in areas affected by ongoing military operations.
UN officials said access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare remains severely constrained. OCHA reported that more than 70% of Gaza's population depends on trucked water, while humanitarian agencies continue emergency water deliveries despite logistical challenges and limited resources.
The World Health Organization and other UN agencies have also warned that deteriorating living conditions are increasing public health risks, while aid organizations continue to face operational obstacles delivering essential supplies into the territory.
In the occupied West Bank, OCHA said more than 3,200 Palestinians have been displaced during 2026 as a result of settler attacks and demolitions of structures lacking Israeli-issued building permits. The agency said recurrent movement restrictions, expanding settlement activity and damage to homes and infrastructure are increasing humanitarian needs while isolating affected communities.
The UN has also reported that more than 33,000 Palestinians remain displaced from refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams following Israeli military operations that began in early 2025, with humanitarian agencies continuing to provide water, shelter and other emergency assistance where access permits.
Separately, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Ramiz Alakbarov, said this week that aid deliveries inside Gaza have also been disrupted by security incidents, including alleged interference by Hamas. Hamas rejected the accusation, saying security operations were directed at preventing smuggling rather than obstructing humanitarian assistance.
UN agencies said they continue to call for sustained humanitarian access, greater protection for civilians and increased international funding to maintain life-saving assistance for displaced Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory.
