Jerusalem (EFE).- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned of a “dramatic” humanitarian crisis in the West Bank, where at least 270 Palestinians, including 38 children, have been killed in 2025 during Israeli operations, along with 10 others in settler attacks.
“The humanitarian situation in the West Bank is extremely problematic, not to say dramatic, in 2025,” said Roland Friedrich, UNRWA’s head of affairs in the territory, during a press briefing. “We have recorded 270 Palestinians killed, including 38 children. There have been over 12,400 Israeli security operations, 70 airstrikes, and a massive increase in settler violence and harassment.”
According to UNRWA, at least 660 Palestinians have been injured in settler-related violence. 10 others have died in “incidents” involving Israeli settlers, the agency said.
Longest Israeli operation since Second Intifada Israel launched Operation Iron Shield on Jan. 21 in the northern West Bank.
Friedrich described it as “the longest and most destructive Israeli security operation in the West Bank since the Second Intifada.”
“Many refugee camps such as Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem remain empty to this day,” Friedrich said, adding that around 31,500 residents remain displaced.
The UN official reported that ten UNRWA schools and three health centers have suspended their services, and “vast, systematic demolitions” have taken place in several camps, seemingly aimed at altering the local topography.
UNRWA currently registers approximately 925,000 refugees in the West Bank, with around 245,000 residing in 19 refugee camps across the territory.
UNRWA operations under pressure The agency also accused Israeli authorities of targeting its facilities, noting “systematic attacks, vandalism, and arson assaults.”
These incidents have made it “too dangerous” to operate in some areas, particularly in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighborhood in East Jerusalem occupied by Israel since 1967 and annexed in 1980.
Last year, Israel’s parliament passed legislation banning UNRWA’s activities in East Jerusalem and adopting a “low-contact policy” for the rest of the West Bank. Friedrich emphasized that this policy violates international law, citing a recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling declaring both laws inconsistent with Israel’s obligations.
“We hope this ruling will lead to better access in both the West Bank and Gaza,” Friedrich said. “We still have thousands of trucks loaded with aid stuck in Egypt and Jordan.”
Gaza situation “extremely precarious”
Turning to Gaza, Friedrich said the humanitarian conditions there “remain extremely precarious.” He added that UNRWA is currently barred from importing aid into the enclave.
“It is equally unacceptable that other UN agencies on the ground are actively prevented from importing goods and handing them over for our distribution,” he said. EFE ime/seo
