Attachments
Summary Of Crisis and Key Findings
As of February 25, 2026, airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continued across the Gaza Strip, reportedly resulting in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, between 26 February and 5 March, 18 Palestinians were killed and 41 injured in the Strip. Overall, between the onset of the ceasefire on 10 October 2025 and 27 February 2026, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in the OPT recorded the killing of at least 224 Palestinians east or near the so-called “Yellow Line” and 347 Palestinians in attacks far from it.
Armed conflict continues despite the ceasefire.4 Respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea, and skin infections are the most commonly reported illnesses. Respiratory infections rose dramatically in the first three weeks of 2026 including severe cases requiring hospitalization.5 These humanitarian organizations, in close coordination with UN agencies and national partners, provide a wide range of essential services - food, water, medical care, shelter, nutrition, education, and protection - particularly in the Gaza Strip, where needs persist at critical levels.
Despite an increase in humanitarian aid since the declaration of a ceasefire on 10 October 2025, needs on the ground are not being met at scale. Damaged roads, limited warehouse capacity, and restrictions on materials continued to impede effective delivery, response quality and durability, and longer-term recovery efforts. Specifically, partners highlighted persistent challenges in accessing essential shelter sealing materials, including nails, timber, and other basic items required for repairs and weatherproofing.
On 28 February, the United States and Israel began striking Iran, resulting in regional tensions and military escalations affecting at least 12 countries. Israel have 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.8 Only the Kerem Shalom border crossing was reopened on 3 March for limited humanitarian cargo and fuel, subject to security conditions. 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.9 No fuel has entered the Gaza Strip between 27 February to 2 March 2026 due to closure of the crossings, putting healthcare services at risk which rely almost entirely on fuel for electricity.
The United Nations and humanitarian partners take note of the temporary injunction issued on 27 February 2026 by the Israeli High Court of Justice, which prohibits any alteration of the existing situation concerning the registration status of several international non-governmental organizations operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and prevents any action to register rights, until further notice.11 The last-minute nature of the temporary injunction, occurring right before de-registration was to take effect, means that some INGOs may have already taken irreversible measures to close or adapt operations, including withdrawing international staff, while the temporary pause does not guarantee any security in their future operations planning.
The situation in the West Bank continues to deteriorate. Ongoing military operations, arrests and settlerrelated incidents continue to heighten humanitarian concerns, particularly in northern governorates where movement restrictions and infrastructure damage affect access to services and livelihoods.
More broadly, oPt has endured a protracted cycle of conflict, hunger and despair for over five decades. In 2023, this cycle reached unprecedented new peaks as tensions escalated in the occupied Gaza Strip and the West Bank on 7 October, resulting in civilian fatalities, widespread destruction, massive displacement, rising food prices and a declining currency.