Gaza: Humanitarian supplies near total depletion – OCHA

17 April 2025

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that humanitarian supplies in Gaza are nearing total depletion since Israel imposed a full closure on the entry of cargo, including humanitarian aid, into the Strip on 2 March.

More than 2 million people remain trapped inside Gaza. Ongoing hostilities and dwindling aid supplies have driven up stress levels – especially among children – with mental health needs growing by the day.

Lifesaving services are on the brink of collapse. For example, in Gaza city, only three ambulances of the Palestine Red Crescent Society out of 30 are currently operational due to lack of fuel.

Despite these challenges, last week, health partners distributed emergency health kits to some 3,000 people in Gaza city and Khan Younis. This week, they continued training medical staff on wound management in primary health centers in Gaza city. Partners also tell us that they have resumed limb reconstruction activities in Khan Younis.

Health partners also warn that they have run out of the rotavirus vaccine, necessary to protect children from diarrheal diseases at a time when overcrowding in shelters, and poor sanitation are increasing the risk of diseases.

The water sector has been heavily impacted by the hostilities with almost 90 per cent of the water assets including wells, pumping stations, and sewage treatment plants, either destroyed or partially damaged.

OCHA reiterates that Israel, as the occupying power, has clear obligations under international law, which include ensuring food, medical supplies and public health services are available, and facilitating humanitarian relief when these are not otherwise supplied.

Meanwhile, OCHA reports that displacement continues at scale. Partners are distributing bedding sets and sealing-off kits to newly displaced families in Khan Younis. More than half of the population in Gaza needs emergency shelter items now.

OCHA stresses that civilians must be protected, whether they leave or stay. Those fleeing fighting must be allowed to do so safely, and they must be able to voluntarily return when the situation allows.

West Bank: thousands of people displaced and unable to return home as Israeli forces’ operation continue in the north

In the West Bank, the Israeli forces’ operation in the northern West Bank, which has started on 21 January in Jenin, continues with thousands of people displaced and unable to return home.

In Jenin and Tulkarm governorates, humanitarian partners are providing urgent aid, including health and psychosocial support.

Meanwhile, access to education remains impeded, as more than a dozen schools in the Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nur Shams refugee camps remain closed due to operations by Israeli forces. This deprives thousands of students from their right to education.

Additionally, hundreds of students in East Jerusalem risk being unable to complete their academic year, due to closure orders issued by the Israeli authorities for UNRWA-run schools.

OCHA says that demolitions and settler violence continue. Last week, Israeli forces demolished residential tents, animal structures, latrines and solar panels for a community in Ras al Ahmar, displacing five families, including more than a dozen children.

OCHA says that between 25 March and 7 April, Israeli settlers carried out 44 attacks against Palestinians that caused casualties or property damage.

*OCHA footage and interviews with displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis affected by displacement orders are available here.