Attachments
Key Points
- Ongoing strikes by Israeli Forces, encompassing aerial, land and maritime bombardment across the Gaza Strip. These result in civilian casualties, displacement and the destruction of residential structures and civilian infrastructure. The Israeli ground offensive continues to expand, particularly in the southern regions of Gaza City and eastern Rafah, notably around the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Rafah Crossings.
- Aid operations in Gaza continue to be disrupted by telecommunications network outages and and internet service providers in carrying out repair works. This is due to damaged infrastructure, limited access to fuel and the conflict overall.
- On 26 May, a strike hit the informal site in close vicinity to the UNRWA Logistics Base in Rafah. Initial reports indicate that there are approximately 50 casualties among the displaced people. The exact numbers are yet to be confirmed. UNRWA has not been able to access the site, and internet and communication outages have delayed full verification. The UNRWA Logistics Base and the IDP site that was hit were both located outside Israeli prescribed evacuation zones.
- Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter), commenting on the harrowing scenes from Rafah yesterday. The Commissioner-General reiterated that UNRWA is doing everything possible not to interrupt the delivery of humanitarian assistance. However, of the 200 trucks with humanitarian supplies offloaded on the Palestinian side yesterday (26 May), only 30 trucks were picked up due to heavy movement restrictions, ongoing Israeli Forces airstrikes and the launch of rockets by Hamas.
- Families that have been already displaced several times are on the move again due to military operations and Israeli evacuation orders. As of 26 May 2024, the estimated number of people displaced from Rafah is nearly 945,000 people since 6 May, with a further 100,000 people displaced in northern Gaza. Most UNRWA shelters in Rafah have been vacated, with internally displaced people moving to Khan Younis and Deir Al Balah.
- According to UNICEF, there has been a significant reduction in clean water production across the Gaza Strip affecting access to water supply service to around 500,000 people. This reduction is attributed to damage to several facilities, including treatment plants, boreholes, and pumping stations, which have been rendered inoperable due to continuous bombardment, shortage of fuel, or inaccessibility for maintenance work.
- The current Israeli military operation in Rafah is directly impacting the ability of aid agencies to bring critical humanitarian supplies into Gaza as well as the ability to rotate critical humanitarian staff. Some fuel supplies and food aid came through Kerem Shalom on 25/26 May, food supplies remained however inaccessible due to the security situation. Since 5 May 2024, the UN has not been able to maintain presence at Rafah/Kerem Shalom crossings to monitor and count private sector cargo entering/exiting the terminal. Figures reflected from 6 May onwards are for humanitarian aid (UN/INGO) cargo only and excludes commercial activity. Due to the situation on the ground, updates may take some time to be fully reflected on the dashboard, for updates on trucks please check:
Gaza Supplies and Dispatch Tracking | UNRWA - As of 26 May, the total number of UNRWA colleagues killed since the beginning of hostilities is 192, an increase of one.
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem update will shift to once a week, every Monday.
- Between 20 and 26 May there were at least 164 recorded Israeli Security Forces (ISF) search and arrest operations across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. More than 118 Palestinians were detained during this period. There were 16 Palestinians killed, the majority of them during a large-scale ISF operation in Jenin Camp and Jenin city.
- On 21 May, a major ISF operation started in Jenin camp and Jenin city in the northern West Bank. It concluded on 23 May after nearly 43 hours. In total, there were 12 reported fatalities, including four children. During the operation, ISF personnel forcefully entered and used the UNRWA Health Centre, causing significant damage to both facilities and equipment. The ISF invaded two other UNRWA facilities installations during the operation.
- At least 30 incidents of Israeli settlers’ violence were recorded between 20 and 26 May across the West Bank. On 23 May, settlers established a new settlement outpost at Al ‘Auja Spring, near Jericho in the central West Bank. On 25 May, settlers attacked the village of Qusra, in the northern West Bank, leading to clashes between ISF, settlers, and Palestinians. Over 24-25 May, settlers attacked Palestinian farmers, municipality crews and agricultural sites in different locations of the southern West Bank, including Al Maniya, Bani Na’im, Al Khadr and Kisan. One Palestinian farmer was shot by Israeli settlers while working on his land west of Hebron on 26 May.