UNRWA Situation Report on the Crisis in Gaza and West Bank

Forcibly displaced child sheltering in an UNRWA school-turned-shelter in Gaza city the Gaza Strip, April 2025

Highlights

• Since the collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza on the night between 17 and 18 March 2025, intense military activities and hostilities have continued to escalate, resulting in hundreds of civilians killed and injured, further damage and destruction to civilian infrastructure, and new waves of forced Humanitarian aid and supplies have not entered the Gaza Strip for almost seven weeks now (since 2 March 2025), when the Israeli Authorities imposed a siege. This is three times longer than the siege the Israeli Authorities imposed in October 2023 when the war started. As a result, critical humanitarian supplies, including food, fuel medical aid and vaccines for children, are rapidly depleting.

• This is “likely the worst humanitarian crisis” the Gaza Strip is facing in the 18 months since the war started in October 2023.

• Stéphane Dujarric (Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General) stated that “under international humanitarian law, if the whole or part of the population of an occupied territory is inadequately supplied, the occupying Power shall agree to relief schemes on behalf of the said population, and shall facilitate them by all the means at its disposal.”

Key points

The Gaza Strip

• Since the night between 17 and 18 March, and for more than four weeks, the Israeli Forces have escalated bombardment from the air, land and sea across the Gaza Strip and expanded ground operations, resulting in hundreds of casualties, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and large-scale displacement. According to OCHA, on 3 and 6 April, rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel, most were reportedly intercepted. Media reported that rocket fire directed to Ashkelon on 6 April resulted in the injury of at least 12 Israelis.

• On 2 March, the Israeli authorities announced a siege where they will no longer allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, including fuel. No supplies – humanitarian or commercial – have entered Gaza since. This siege is now more than three times longer than the initial siege at the start of the war, which lasted from October 7 to October 21 2023. Critical supplies, including food and medical equipment, are severely depleted and urgently needed to address the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

• The lack of essential food supplies has contributed to further deteriorating of the nutrition situation and dietary diversity in the Gaza Strip. According to the Nutrition Cluster, nearly 3,700 children in March alone were newly admitted  for treatment for acute malnutrition, compared to slightly over 2,000 in February. Due to constant challenges and the lack of essential aid, in March, the number of children who received blanket supplementary feeding decreased by more than 70 per cent compared to February.

• The access to water and sanitation infrastructure has also been heavily impacted by the collapse of the ceasefire and the continuous displacement orders issued by the Israeli military. Over 90 per cent of households are reporting water insecurity, highlighting that access to safe water has become alarmingly limited. According to the WASH cluster as reported by OCHA, over 50 per cent of WASH facilities have been impacted by displacement orders and the imposition of the “no-go” zone, with more than 320 facilities made inaccessible.

• On 14 April, Stéphane Dujarric (Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General) stated that “under international humanitarian law, if the whole or part of the population of an occupied territory is inadequately supplied, the occupying Power shall agree to relief schemes on behalf of the said population, and shall facilitate them by all the means at its disposal. This is reflected in a number of Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2730 (2024) and 2417 (2018), which strongly condemn the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians of objects indispensable to their survival.”

• On 27 March, the remaining UNRWA international staff left the Gaza Strip. All UNRWA international staff are now banned from entering the Gaza Strip. This follows the passage of two bills by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on 28 October 2024[2] , which aim to prohibit UNRWA's operations in the occupied Palestinian territory and bar contact between UNRWA and Israeli officials.  Meanwhile, around 12,000 local, Palestinian UNRWA personnel in Gaza continue to provide services and assistance to an entire population in need, while spearheading the collective humanitarian response.

• With at least 20 displacement orders issued by the Israeli military between 18 March and 14 April, about 142.7 square kilometres of the Gaza Strip are now under active displacement orders. According to OCHA, over two thirds (or 69 per cent) of the Gaza Strip are within ‘no-go’ areas, under active displacement orders, or both. The UN estimates that nearly 420,000 people have been displaced yet again since the breakdown of the ceasefire.

• Several displacement orders affecting areas with 13  UNRWA installations were issued by the Israeli Forces between 8 and 14 April. Additional 15 UNRWA installations are in close proximity to areas impacted by these displacement orders:

o On 13 April, the Israeli Forces issued a displacement order impacting Qizan an Najjar area, south of Khan Younis. No UNRWA installations are located in the affected area, while three UNRWA installations are in close proximity.

o On 12 April, the Israeli Forces issued two displacement orders. One impacted the Nuseirat area. No UNRWA installations are located in the affected area, but nine UNRWA installations are in close proximity. The other impacted area was Qizan an Najjar, south of Khan Younis. No UNRWA installations are located in the affected area.

o On 11 April, the Israeli Forces issued two displacement orders. One impacted Shuja'iyya and Tuffah areas, northeast of Gaza City, where nine UNRWA installations are located. The other impacted Khuza’a and Abasan areas, east of Khan Younis. Three UNRWA installations are located in the affected area, while three UNRWA installations are in close proximity.

o On 8 April, the Israeli Forces issued two displacement orders. One impacted Khan Younis and Rafah areas, where one UNRWA installation is located. The other impacted the Shuja'iyya area, east of Gaza City. No UNRWA installations are located in the affected area.

• Despite the siege and existing challenges, UNRWA continues providing services to communities overwhelmed by over 1.5 years of bombardment, forced displacement, and lack of critical resources. However, the resumed bombardment and the lack of access for humanitarian supplies are further deteriorating an already dire situation, impacting the humanitarian actors’ ability to respond to food, water, sanitation, shelter, and other needs of the population.

• UNRWA runs 115 shelters across the Gaza Strip, with over 90,000 displaced people residing in them.  

• According to the UN, at least 1.9 million people – or about 90 per cent of the population – across the Gaza Strip have been displaced during the war. Many have been displaced repeatedly, some 10 times or more. Since the recent displacement orders were issued, more people have been forced to flee in search of safety.

• Between 7 October 2023 and 15 April 2025, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, as stated by OCHA, at least 51,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza and 116,343 have been injured.

• OCHA reports that the MoH in Gaza published the breakdown of 50,021 as of 22 March 2025. These reportedly include 15,613 children, 8,304 women, 3,839 elderly, and 22,265 men. According to the MoH, among the children killed, 825 were under 12 months of age while 274 children were born and killed during the escalation.

• The total number of UNRWA team members killed since 7 October 2023 is 290.

• OCHA reported that, of the 49 planned aid movements coordinated with Israeli authorities across Gaza from 8 to 14 April 2025, 23 were denied, one impeded, four cancelled, and 21 facilitated.

• According to OCHA, between 7 October 2023 and 14 April 2025, 915 Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Of those, 109 Palestinians, including at least 17 children, were killed since the beginning of 2025.

• On 8 April, Israeli education officials from the Jerusalem Municipality, accompanied by Israeli Forces personnel, forcibly entered six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem, issuing closure orders effective in 30 days. Some 800 students attend the six schools, which are operationally independent and inviolable under international law. Statements in response to the forced entry and illegal closure orders were issued by UNRWA Commissioner-General and the Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank.

• The Israeli Forces large-scale operation that started in the northern West Bank on 21 January 2025 is ongoing, with further demolitions and eviction orders, particularly affecting Tulkarm Camp, reported during the week beginning 7 April. UNRWA has expanded health services for displaced communities through the establishment of alternative health points and mobile health teams, and UNRWA schools in the affected areas are delivering online teaching to students.  

• On 9 April, the Israeli Forces conducted a 22-hour-long operation in Balata Camp, concluding on 10 April. UNRWA services were temporarily suspended, with the Israeli Forces operating in the vicinity of UNRWA installations. A number of residents were reportedly forcibly evicted from their homes by the Israeli Forces, with at least 14 Palestinians injured by live ammunition and more treated for tear gas inhalation.

• Settler violence in the South Hebron Hills remains heightened, with attacks on Palestinians in Masafer Yatta by Israeli settlers on both 7 and 13 April injuring at least six Palestinian residents, among them two children.

Overall situation

The Gaza Strip

• Between 7 October 2023 and 15 April 2025, according to the MoH in Gaza as stated by OCHA, at least 51,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the Gaza Strip while 116,343 have been reported injured.

Humanitarian access, protection of civilians

• UNRWA is working to verify the details of incidents that reportedly impact UNRWA premises. Further information will be provided once it becomes available*.

• During the reporting period, several armed conflict-related incidents have reportedly impacted UNRWA installations, personnel, and displaced people sheltering there:

o On 13 April, a distribution point used by UNRWA was reportedly struck by an Israeli Forces airstrike in Khan Younis, causing its complete destruction. No injuries were reported among UNRWA personnel.

o On 13 April, an UNRWA school was reportedly struck by an Israeli Forces airstrike in the Shuja'iyya area, east of Gaza City, causing severe damage. No injuries were reported among UNRWA personnel.

o On 12 April, an UNRWA school was reportedly struck by an Israeli Forces airstrike in Beit Lahia. No injuries were reported among UNRWA personnel.

o On 10 April, an UNRWA school was reportedly struck by an Israeli Forces airstrike in the Shuja'iyya area, east of Gaza City, causing severe damage to the storage facility. No injuries were reported among UNRWA personnel.

o On 8 April, an UNRWA Training Centre in Gaza City was reportedly struck by gunfire. No injuries were reported among UNRWA personnel.

As of 25 March 2025, 829* incidents impacting UNRWA premises and the people inside them have been reported since the beginning of the war. 311* UNRWA installations have been impacted by armed conflict-related incidents since the beginning of the war, some on multiple occasions. UNRWA estimates that, in total, at least 742* persons sheltering in UNRWA installations have been killed and at least 2,409* injured since the start of the war. UNRWA continues to verify and update the number of casualties caused by these incidents.

*Since the start of the war in October 2023, the latest casualty figures are continuously under review as UNRWA gains access to locations that were previously inaccessible and as further verifications occur. The summary figures will be published/updated as information becomes available, noting that these numbers are subject to change once verifications are concluded.

UNRWA response

The Gaza Strip

Health

• According to the Health Cluster, UNRWA remains one of the largest health actors operating in the Gaza Strip, contributing to over half of the people reached with health services since 7 October 2023. Between 7 October 2023 and 6 April 2025, UNRWA provided nearly 8.1 million medical consultations across the Gaza Strip.

• In addition to medical consultations, UNRWA (in partnership with and supported by other UN agencies, including UNICEF and WHO) continued to vaccinate children. Nearly 268,000 routine vaccines have been given to children from January 2024. In addition, around 560,000 children under the age of 10 across the Gaza Strip were vaccinated against polio in the first two rounds of the campaign.

• A third round of the polio vaccination campaign supported by UNRWA, WHO, UNICEF and other partners took place between 22 and 26 February 2025 in the Gaza Strip, reaching over 600,000 children under the age of 10 with this critical vaccine. With over 1,700 personnel organized in 555 mobile and fixed teams, UNRWA vaccinated over 213,000 children, constituting around one third of the overall polio vaccination response. A fourth round of the polio vaccination campaign was scheduled to start on 13 April but had to be postponed until further notice due to the continuous bombardment and displacement orders from the Israeli Authorities.

• During the ceasefire (19 January-17 March 2025), UNRWA health teams provided nearly 590,000 health consultations, antenatal, post-natal and family planning care for over 40,000 women, dental and oral health services in fixed and mobile clinics reaching over 24,400 patients, and physiotherapy rehabilitation services for around 10,500 patients.

• As of 13 April, only five out of 22 UNRWA health centres and three additional UNRWA-rented facilities used as temporary health centres were operational in Gaza. In addition, health services are also provided through 119 mobile medical teams working in 39 medical points inside and outside shelters in the middle area, Khan Younis, Al Mawasi, Gaza City and north Gaza. UNRWA health facilities provide primary health care, including outpatient services, non-communicable disease care, giving out medications, vaccination, antenatal and postnatal health care, laboratory and dental services, physiotherapy and dressings for the injured. The number of operational health facilities changes constantly based on demand, access and security.

• Between 7 and 13 April, an average of around 1,200 UNRWA health staff worked in health centres, temporary clinics and medical points across the Gaza Strip, providing 92,516 health consultations during the reporting period.

• UNRWA continued to provide mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services in the middle and Khan Younis areas, with teams of psychiatrists, psychosocial counsellors and supervisors to assist special cases referred from UNRWA health centres and shelters. Between 7 and 13 April, UNRWA teams responded to 2,791 cases in health centres and at medical points through individual consultations, awareness sessions and to address cases of gender-based violence (GBV).  

• Between 7 and 13 April, UNRWA medical teams provided care for 6,260 post-natal and pregnant women at high risk, dental and oral health services in fixed and mobile clinics reaching 3,580 patients and physiotherapy rehabilitation services for 1,872 patients in health centres and medical points.

• Medical services are critically under-resourced, with nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of essential supplies projected to run out in under two months.

Psychosocial Support and Learning

• UNRWA remains the largest provider of emergency learning and PSS across the Gaza Strip. Around 660,000 children are out of school due to the war.  Since the launch of the “Back to Learning” (BTL) programme in August 2024, BTL activities have taken place in up to 449 Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) in 58 UNRWA schools-turned-shelters, reaching around 56,000 children across the Gaza Strip. Following the collapse of the ceasefire (on 18 March), the number of active TLS decreased to 78, only in Khan Younis and Middle areas, a reduction of 371 compared to before. Between 7 and 13 April 2025, 7,822 children (3,122 boys, 4,700 girls, including 156 children with disabilities) participated in basic literacy and numeracy activities, PSS sessions and recreational activities including arts, music and sports.

• On 1 January 2025, UNRWA launched a new distance learning programme, combining online with onsite learning. To date, 277,716 children (149,794 boys, 130,922 girls) have enrolled in the programme and received basic learning activities delivered by thousands of teachers covering Arabic, English, mathematics, and science.

• UNRWA continues to provide lifesaving PSS services in Gaza. Since the onset of the war and up to 13 April 2025, around 730,000 displaced people, including over 520,000 children, have benefited from 292,494 PSS sessions and activities. Between 7 and 13 April, a total of 8,743 displaced people accessed these services.  

• Between 7 October 2023 and 13 April 2025, UNRWA’s social work team has provided services to 212,880 displaced people, including psychological first aid, PSS services, family and individual activities, as well as case management. During the same reporting period, protection services were provided to 1,898 survivors of GBV and 3,540* children, including 1,773 unaccompanied children. The team also supported 23,592 persons with disabilities with PSS; 7,753 of these individuals received assistive devices and rehabilitation services. Awareness sessions on GBV, child protection, disability and special needs, as well as managing social and psychological stressors, were conducted for 155,045 displaced people.

*Due to further verification, figures have decreased compared to those reported in the previous situation report (#166).

Food Security

• Since 7 October 2023 and until the start of the ceasefire (19 January 2025), over 388,000 families (nearly 1.9 million people) have been reached with two rounds of flour; at least 374,000 of those families have received three rounds.

• UNRWA continues to distribute food parcels wherever possible. These include[3] rice, lentils, beans, oil, salt, sugar, milk powder, hummus, halawa, yeast, and canned fish, and are designed to meet the needs of a family of five for two weeks. Up until the start of the ceasefire, at least 1.7 million people have been reached, of whom at least 215,000 people have received two rounds of food parcels since the war started.

• In addition to the distribution of UNRWA food parcels, the Agency distributes food parcels on behalf of other UN organisations, having reached over 1.4 million people before the start of the ceasefire.

• During the ceasefire, UNRWA teams are estimated to have reached over 2 million people with critical food assistance. However, due to the siege imposed by the Israeli authorities on 2 March, critical food resources are now running dangerously low and UNRWA had to ration its food response.

• Since the ceasefire collapsed and until 8 April, UNRWA teams have distributed nearly 79,000 bags of flour, reaching an estimated 26,000 families – or around 184,000 people.

• Since the ceasefire collapsed and until 8 April, only around 15,500 families (or an estimated 77,500 people) have received UNRWA food parcels.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

• Since October 2023, UNRWA has carried out emergency WASH activities across the Gaza Strip.  The main activities include operating and maintaining water wells and desalination systems and supplying water with water trucks and bottled water. In addition, UNRWA continues to distribute hygiene kits and maintain hygiene in UNRWA shelters and sites through cleaning supplies, community-based solid waste management and pest control.

• In 2025 so far, on a daily basis, UNRWA teams have provided an average of 2600 cubic metres of water and collected around 220 tons of solid waste. In Gaza overall, UNRWA contributes to 29 per cent of the water sector, 75 per cent of the sanitation sector, 57 per cent of the hygiene sector, and 39 per cent of the solid waste management sector.

• Between 3 and 16 April, UNRWA teams provided around 45,000 cubic metres of domestic and potable water to displaced people across the Gaza Strip, including around 15,000 in North Gaza alone. During the reporting period, UNRWA teams rehabilitated one water well in Jabalia.

• UNRWA continues to provide solid waste collection and transfer services wherever possible. Between 3 and 16 April, around 2500 tons of solid waste have been collected by UNRWA sanitation teams and transferred to designated temporary dumping sites. Moreover, UNRWA teams cleaned 150 manholes, serving over 23,000 displaced people.

• During the same reporting period, the team conducted over 150 cleaning campaigns and 300 awareness sessions, including for school-aged children.