The United Nations and its humanitarian partners issued a stark warning on Wednesday that the ongoing expansion of areas under Israeli control in Gaza since the October ceasefire agreement is placing civilians at greater risk and severely constraining humanitarian operations. The alert comes amid continued displacement and mounting humanitarian pressures across the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Humanitarian Access Restricted
In a joint statement, the Humanitarian Country Team in the OPT said that the expansion of the area under Israeli control, combined with movement restrictions, is limiting access for aid workers and reducing the space available for civilians already displaced by the conflict. According to the statement, Israeli forces have used lethal force to enforce access restrictions in areas they control since the start of the fragile ceasefire.
Between 10 October 2025 and early April 2026, the UN verified the killing of 196 Palestinians in Israeli attacks reported near areas where Israeli forces are deployed. Those killed include 18 women and 43 children. Many of those killed were reportedly moving through areas that lacked clear demarcation on the ground, while many others were injured.
Impact on Humanitarian Operations
The statement also highlighted the severe impact on humanitarian operations, noting that restrictions on movement continue to cause delays and interruptions to life-saving assistance. Some humanitarian partners have had to reduce or temporarily suspend critical activities, affecting thousands of families. This is particularly concerning following the killing of service providers working in those areas.
The UN and its partners reiterated the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, and to ensure unimpeded access for aid delivery.
