Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Syria
UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Hostilities displace people in Gaza city
OCHA reports that over the past 24 hours, Israeli military operations - including shelling and air strikes - continued across the Gaza Strip, particularly in Gaza city.
In a statement issued today, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) warned that Israel's tactics are "inflicting terror on the Palestinian population of Gaza city and forcing tens of thousands to flee." OHCHR cited a sharp increase in the number of civilians killed in Gaza city. The Office said the destruction of people's homes is making it likely that as Palestinians are driven out of Gaza city, this displacement will be permanent.
Yesterday, partners monitoring people's movements inside the Gaza Strip recorded more than 20,500 displacements from north to south, raising the overall number of such movements since mid-August to over 321,200.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that an attack yesterday on a primary healthcare centre run by a key partner, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, turned the building into rubble, with two health workers reportedly injured.
This centre was among the few functioning facilities in Gaza city, providing blood donation and testing services, trauma care, cancer medications, and chronic disease treatment. The centre reportedly employed 45 people and treated up to 1,000 patients every day. The building also housed the Gaza Community Mental Health Programmes - another WHO partner.
OCHA reiterates that civilians and civilian infrastructure must always be protected, should never be a target, and must never be used to shield military operations.
Meanwhile, Medical Aid for Palestine, which supports several hospitals - including Al Sahaba in Gaza city - warned that the facility is dangerously low on fuel. Without an urgent resupply, its life-saving services - including NICUs for critically ill or premature newborns - could be forced to shut down.
The Ministry of Health reported yesterday that two other facilities in Gaza city - Al Rantissi Children's Hospital and the St. John Eye Hospital, the only facility providing ophthalmic care - are no longer functional.
OCHA stresses that despite immense challenges, humanitarian partners continue to do whatever they can to meet people's urgent needs across the Strip, despite ongoing hostilities, limited supplies and restricted access.
Israeli authorities have informed the UN that Allenby bridge is closed to all movements starting tomorrow until further notice. As the only crossing between Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, it is used for imports and exports, and most of the West Bank's 3.3 million Palestinians depend on it to travel abroad.
If this closure continues without viable alternatives, it could have a significant impact on humanitarian organizations' ability to respond to Gaza's already dire situation. In August, about a quarter of the supplies coming into Gaza through the UN2720 mechanism came via Jordan, mostly through Allenby. Much of the food, tents and other goods already procured are in Jordan and need quick, reliable ways to reach Gaza. The rotation of international humanitarian staff in Gaza also depends on the Allenby bridge and is on hold until solutions are found.
The UN is engaging with relevant stakeholders to urgently address these concerns.
Lebanon
Needs remain immense one year after escalation of hostilities
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Imran Riza, said today that one year on from the dramatic escalation of hostilities - and nearly 10 months since the ceasefire - humanitarian and recovery needs in Lebanon remain immense.
In a statement, Riza noted that on a near-daily basis, violence continues to claim lives and undermine stability. "Real recovery is only possible if civilians are safeguarded, international humanitarian law is fully respected, and all parties refrain from further violations," he said.
OHCHR reports that since the cessation of hostilities, conflict-related violence has killed at least 98 civilians - including more than a dozen children. On Sunday, an air strike claimed the lives of three children in the town of Bint Jbeil, in southern Lebanon.
OCHA warns of a marked increase in military activities - including air strikes, demolitions and artillery shelling - over the past month. On 18 September, the Israeli Army issued displacement orders for six locations in southern Lebanon - the third time that such orders have been issued since the cessation of hostilities agreement took effect in late November.
According to the latest comprehensive reporting available, nearly 83,000 people remain displaced as of late May, with ongoing insecurity and the scale of destruction among the main factors preventing families from going back. Those who are returning to their home areas urgently need shelter, access to essential services, and the repair of critical infrastructure - including power, water, sanitation and hygiene.
The UN and its partners continue to support crisis-affected people in Lebanon, but OCHA estimates that the response is facing a shortfall of more than US$1 billion through the end of the year. Additional funding is urgently required to ensure that people in need get critical assistance.
Syria
Humanitarian access to As-Sweida improves
OCHA reports that humanitarian access to Syria's As-Sweida Governorate is gradually improving following violence in July.
Partners are now able to use the Damascus-As-Sweida Highway, and both civilian and commercial traffic has resumed.
The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver aid, reaching more than 430,000 people monthly in Dar'a, As-Sweida and Rural Damascus governorates in July and August.
Food insecurity in As-Sweida remains concerning, with more than 60 per cent of households reporting insufficient food consumption in August.
Meanwhile, OCHA says that more than 6,700 people who had been sheltering in schools in Dar'a and As-Sweida governorates had to leave those facilities ahead of the start of the academic year. The new school year began this week, but many education facilities continue to serve as shelters, delaying education for thousands of children.
Displaced families face increasing health risks as winter approaches, and many urgently need shelter and heating fuel.
The $3.2 billion Humanitarian Plan for Syria is currently 18 per cent funded, with $568 million received. Limited funding continues to undermine the response, leaving critical gaps and putting life-saving aid at risk.
*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Syria with urgent support.
Posted on 23 September 2025
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