Attachments
CURRENT SITUATION
On 28 February, the United States and Israel began striking Iran, resulting in regional tensions and military escalations affecting at least 12 countries, including Palestine, in the Middle East via either direct attacks, airspace closure, economic impacts, or a combination of all. By 4 March, no missile strikes related to this escalation had been reported in Gaza, and Hamas had not officially declared involvement in this conflict. Israel, however, announced the indefinite closure of crossings into Gaza for security reasons, as a precautionary measure amid regional escalations, including the Rafah border crossing, effective from 1 March (Reuters 28/02/2026; AJ 01/03/2026). Only the Kerem Shalom border crossing was reopened on 3 March for limited humanitarian cargo and fuel, subject to security conditions1 (Times of Israel 02/03/2026; MAP 03/03/2026; OCHA 03/03/2026). The reduced operational capacity of border crossings is likely to lead to disruptions to the flow of humanitarian aid and the suspension of operations in Gaza. The World Central Kitchen already announced the temporary suspension of meals distribution starting 5 March, as warehouse supplies are running low (WCK 01/03/2026). EUBAM Rafah, which monitors and assists movement through the Rafah border crossing, suspended all its activities starting 2 March (EUBAM Rafah 02/03/2026). Many UN operations could soon be suspended as well. Other services, such as solid waste collection services, have already been suspended since 2 March because of fuel shortages (OCHA 02/03/2026). Humanitarian access was expected to improve in March as the Israeli High Court of Justice announced on 27 February that it had halted changes to INGO registration requirements in Palestine, meaning that the 37 INGOs that received notification of their registration expiring on 31 December 2025 would have been able to resume operations in March (OCHA 28/02/2026; NRC 02/01/2026; AJ 27/02/2026). The Rafah border crossing had recently been opened on 1 February, allowing for the medical evacuation of 94 patients by 24 February (The New Aarab 01/02/2026; OCHA 27/02/2026).