Attachments
The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) was activated on 31 October 2023 in response to the crisis in Gaza. Situation Reports are published monthly.
Highlights
• ETC and UNDSS strengthened emergency readiness on 25 February by training two new Security Operations Centre (SOC) operators in Jerusalem, contributing to 11 operators trained across Gaza and Jerusalem in February (15 UN personnel trained in 2026), with additional sessions planned.
• ETC reinforced critical communications for humanitarian operations by deploying a technical specialist to Jerusalem on 19 February to enhance secure communications infrastructure and advance UN-standard technical upgrades.
• ETC is working with partners to resolve documentation delays affecting 20 ITU-donated satellite phones held at Israeli customs, urging expedited clearance to prevent equipment loss and maintaining active follow-up with authorities.
Situation Overview
Escalation across the Middle East on 28 February, including ongoing strikes and retaliatory attacks, resulted in civilian casualties, widespread infrastructure damage, and major disruption to humanitarian operations, further deepening the regional crisis.
Throughout February, the Rafah Crossing remained open only for limited movement of people under Egyptian coordination with EU supervision. Since 28 February, Israeli authorities have closed all border crossings, suspended humanitarian movements in areas where Israeli forces remain deployed, and postponed planned international humanitarian staff rotations, including medical evacuation and returns into Gaza.
Airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire continued to be reported across the Gaza Strip, causing additional casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. Aid convoys required coordination with Israeli authorities at crossings and in areas with military presence, while access to humanitarian facilities, infrastructure, and agricultural land remained heavily restricted.
In early 2026, the international Board of Peace (BoP) and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) were established under the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict as transitional governance mechanisms to oversee civilian administration and support reconstruction following the ceasefire. The BoP held its first meeting in the United States on 19 February.