Gaza Humanitarian Response Update | 2-15 February 2025

Response

• WASH Partners have developed two key initiatives aimed at increasing the quantity of water availability through the strategic management of fuel resources. The first initiative relates to drinking water and focuses on subsidizing the fuel supply for private sector water providers. This ensures common pricing for NGOs and users purchasing bulk water for water trucking, while applying the local standards for the production and distribution of drinking water. Over the reporting period, eight private sector suppliers have signed agreements to participate in this arrangement. The second initiative relates to domestic water production in areas of return. NGOs operate this initiative by partnering with local institutions or private well owners, providing them with fuel for water production and ensuring that the water is made available for end users free of charge. 
• Between 7 and 13 of February, the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) and Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) reported that a daily average of 116,671 cubic metres of water was produced across the Gaza Strip. About 43 per cent (50,761 cubic metres) of drinking water are produced from the two operational seawater desalination plants or supplied through two of the Mekorot lines, while about 57 per cent (65,910 cubic metres) are produced by municipal ground water wells.
• As of 14 February, there are more than 1,500 operational water points across Gaza, more than 85 per cent of which are used to support water trucking activities by partners. During the reporting period, water trucking, distribution of hygiene items, waste collection and installation of latrines continued throughout Gaza, as follows:
  • In Rafah governorate, CMWU and seven WASH partners trucked a total of 563 cubic metres of drinking water to returning IDPs across 33 locations.  Currently, one water desalination plant is operational to help address critical shortages caused by extensive damage to water facilities and the inaccessibility of infrastructure located in the buffer and no-go zones. 
  • In Khan Younis governorate, 22 partners trucked a total of 2,535 cubic metres of drinking water to 438 locations, including displacement sites, schools-turned shelters, and humanitarian service delivery points. Partners also distributed 10,300 hygiene items and supported solid waste management efforts, with 208 cubic metres of solid waste collected at sites and shelters as part of primary collection efforts. While the transfer of solid waste to temporary waste sites is increasing, about half of these sites are already full and there is no access to landfills (see below). Two partners have installed 85 communal and 450 household latrines.In Deir al Balah governorate, 23 partners trucked 2,320 cubic metres of drinking water to 438 locations, including displacement sites, schools-turned shelters, healthcare facilities and humanitarian service delivery points. 
  • During the reporting period, partners distributed 14,200 hygiene items, collected 262 cubic metres of solid waste, and installed 52 communal latrines.
  • In Gaza governorate, 18 partners trucked 1,332 cubic metres of drinking water to 360 locations, including displacement sites, schools-turned shelters, and humanitarian service delivery points. Additionally, partners distributed 7,300 hygiene items, collected 666 cubic metres of solid waste, transferred 53 cubic metres of solid waste to temporary dump sites, and installed 47 communal latrines.
  • In North Gaza governorate, nine partners are trucking 1,447 cubic metres of drinking water to 263 locations, including displacement sites and shelters. In addition, partners transferred 66 cubic metres of solid waste to temporary dump sites and installed 450 household latrines.

Challenges

• Energy remains a considerable challenge for the WASH sector operators. Since October 2023, the Israeli authorities cut off the electricity supply and fuel reserves for Gaza’s only power plant (GPP) were depleted, forcing it to shut down, with electricity generation largely dependent on the entry of fuel. This has severely affected water production and distribution, as well as sewage and solid waste management, which now rely heavily on back-up generators operating long hours. The limited entry of generators, and spare parts, along with restrictions on vehicle spare parts and consumables, has necessitated careful management of WASH systems to sustain a minimum of operations. While improved access conditions following the ceasefire have enabled WASH services to be provided in more locations, the importation rate of appropriate equipment and materials to Gaza remains very slow.  
• The WASH sector supply chain remains a key challenge for an effective response due to three key reasons. First, a broad range of critical WASH equipment are classified as “dual-use” items—goods that are considered useable for either civilian or military purposes—and are subject to entry restrictions by Israeli authorities. Second, the various access corridors and complex entry processes further complicate the delivery of essential WASH materials, giving a competitive edge to agencies with expertise in external supply-chain capacity. Third, WASH items, such as pipes, generators and prefabricated structures, are bulky, making them difficult to transport and screen, further limiting their availability. To address these challenges, the WASH Cluster urges donors to recognize the risks and impact associated with restrictions on the entry of WASH materials on response timeframes.
• The continued denial of access by the Israeli authorities to the Sofa landfill, which is now located in the no-go zone, is preventing agencies from transferring solid waste from the 30 temporary dump sites and numerous persistent ad-hoc sites. Approximately half of the temporary dump sites are already full and unable to receive additional amounts of solid waste. Continued advocacy is needed to secure access to the Sofa landfill to ensure a sanitary environment in southern Gaza and Juhor al Dik area in northern Gaza.  

Response

• Some 59 health partners continue to provide primary and secondary health services across the Gaza Strip, ensuring access to essential care and reaching a weekly average of nearly 300,000 people. 
• Between 1 to 17 February, 610 patients, including 232 children, and 884 companions were medically evacuated outside Gaza. 
• During the reporting period, UNICEF distributed, through local partners, 321 wheelchairs to children with disabilities. An additional 224 wheelchairs are expected to be delivered soon. 
• During the reporting period, UNFPA distributed sexual and reproductive health (SRH) supplies to health actors. The supplies are expected to benefit over 65,000 people across Gaza over the next three weeks. 
• During the reporting period, WHO supported the enhancement of the triage system at the Emergency Department of Al Aqsa Hospital in Deir al Balah and a National Emergency Medical Team (EMT) was deployed to support the emergency department at Al Shifa Hospital. In total, as of 18 February, there are 27 EMTs across Gaza, including three in northern Gaza. 
• During the reporting period, several mobile clinics and primary health care centres (PHCs) were opened across Gaza, including:
  • MSF-Belgium established mobile clinics offering comprehensive health services, including SRH, in Beit Hanoun and Jabalya, in addition to opening a new primary PHC in Beit Lahiya to provide prenatal and postpartum care and family planning services, among others. 
  • UNRWA opened five medical points in North Gaza and Gaza governorates and on 12 February, re-opened the UNRWA Al Naser PHC in Rafah. 
  • Al-Awda, with support from UNFPA, opened three temporary PHCs in Gaza governorate and a temporary medical point in Jabalya, in North Gaza.
  • MDM-France opened a PHC in Rafah, offering sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) services and the minimum PHC package
• Since the ceasefire, UNRWA dispatched over 400 pallets of essential medications – including insulin syringes sufficient for over 17,000 people suffering from diabetes for eight months – as well as laboratory and dental supplies to UNRWA-run health facilities, including in Deir al Balah, Nuseirat, and Al Mawasi and the Beach Health Centre in Gaza governorate where services have been restored. Most of these supplies will enable UNRWA health facilities to provide health services for two months, and some up to eight months.  

Challenges

• Lack of critical humanitarian supplies persists, including generators, spare parts, oxygen plants, medical equipment, reagents and laboratory equipment, impacting the ability of partners to scale up interventions including to restore services.

Response

• During the first two weeks of February, at least 11,251 children were screened for malnutrition, and 296 children have been enrolled in treatment programs. In the month of January 2025, nutrition partners reported that they screened over 83,106 children and 14,530 pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBW) for acute malnutrition and identified over 2,504 cases of acute malnutrition for children and 925 cases of acute malnutrition for PBW, all of whom have been enrolled in treatment programs. 
• During the reporting period, the cluster, through the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) technical working group, finalized the guidelines for the detection and management of acute malnutrition for PBW to guide the work of 15 partner organizations. 
• Since the beginning of the ceasefire on 19 January, UNICEF received and distributed nearly two million jars of Ready-to-Use Complementary Food (RUCF) to partners, which would cover the need of about 20,000 children for one month. During the first two weeks of February, 6,594 children under two years of age were reached with RUCF.
• During the first two weeks of February, WFP provided a 30-day supply of Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements – Medium Quantity (LNS-MQ) to 15,036 PBW and 35,684 children under five across the Gaza Strip. Since 19 January, WFP received 558 MT of LNS-MQ to support nutritional needs. Additionally, 24,226 caregivers, including PBW, received education on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) to support optimal feeding practices.

Challenges

• The massive movement of IDPs has led to a decline in the screening and enrollment of children in nutrition programmes, with 83,000 children screened in January, compared with 130,000 in December. To address this challenge, additional efforts from partners will be necessary to ensure all children are screened and that those in need receive treatment. To mitigate the risk of treatment interruption, cluster partners have extended treatment provisions from one week to two weeks and are actively scaling up services, particularly in northern Gaza.

Response

• During the reporting period, the Protection Cluster partners worked alongside the Emergency Protection Responder (EPR) network and the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) volunteer network, to scale up the presence of protection mobile teams at multi-sector distribution points, promoting safeguarding and dignity. Currently there are a total of 100 mobile protection teams across the Gaza Strip, including 50 in the north and 50 in the south, monitoring 68 distribution points.  As of 13 February, PSEA messaging reached over 2,200 community members.
• During the reporting period, the Child Protection (CP) actors:
  • Provided 21,539 children with mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), including psychological first aid (PFA), individual counselling, and group activities. Additionally, 63,553 children participated in explosive remnants of war (ERW) education, while 11,585 children benefitted from CP awareness sessions. 
  • Provided assistive devices and rehabilitation services to 437 children, while 5,314 children were provided with winter clothing kits and footwear. Through case management services, 287 children were successfully reunified with their caregivers. 
  • Trained 20 case management supervisors on the revised emergency standard operating procedures for case management and advanced MHPSS techniques in Gaza city. 
• Between 2 and 15 February, UNRWA’s protection teams conducted protection observations and key informant interviews at shelters and IDP sites across the Gaza Strip to identify vulnerable people and arrange referrals to specialized services. Coupled with coordination with teams overseeing other UNRWA programmes (e.g. Relief and Social Services), these efforts seek to prioritize protection cases in the delivery of assistance, such as the distribution of children’s winter clothing and dignity kits. UNRWA teams have also delivered awareness raising sessions on protection topics, including Explosive Ordinance Risk Education (EORE) for 160 participants, including 95 children. Between 1 and 8 February, UNRWA teams coordinated the provision of assistance to at least 280 Palestinian detainees who were released at the Kerem Shalom Crossing on 30 January.
• During the reporting period, GBV partners:
  • Distributed 2,000 shelter kits, including tarpaulins and blankets, 1,000 winterization kits containing sweaters, pajamas, undergarments, thermal scarves, boots and trousers, 8,000 dignity kits, and 5,800 Non-Food Items (NFI) kits to individuals affected by the adverse weather conditions. 
  • Expanded women’s protection services to North Gaza and Gaza city. Three new Women and Girl’s Safe Spaces (WGSS) were equipped with high-performance tents to launch their activities—two in Jabalya and one in Gaza city—where MHPSS services, group counselling, and GBV case management services are now operational. During the first two weeks of February, 19 high-performance tents were distributed to GBV actors, enabling them to launch activities in the north and south. Each tent can host activities for 20-25 women and girls at a time, reaching 100 women and girls per week. As of 15 February, there are 12 WGSS across the Gaza Strip, including two in North Gaza, three in Gaza, four in Deir al Balah, and three in Khan Younis, with plans underway to set up two WGSS in Rafah governorate.

Challenges

• On 6 February, heavy rain and strong winds destroyed five child-friendly spaces and the largest WGSS in North Gaza. This has disrupted the delivery of case management and community-based MHPSS activities. Partners are working on reestablishing the safe-spaces but are lacking a sufficient number of large-sized tents. Key findings from the GBV 2024 trend analysis highlight that emotional abuse remains the most frequently reported form of GBV, exacerbated by displacement, poverty, and resource scarcity. Cases of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and rape continue to be underreported, largely due to fear and stigma, yet they remain a critical concern.

Response

• Between 10 and 12 February, 31 trainees—including Cluster partners, UNRWA educational supervisors, and educational managers of Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS)—participated in a hybrid Training of Trainers (ToT) on non-Formal Education, psychosocial support services (PSS), and other cross-sectoral topics. The training aims to standardize learning programs across all educational spaces in Gaza. Participants were selected from the southern, central, and northern Gaza to strengthen learning programs across the Gaza strip.  Trained staff are expected to cascade their knowledge to other Cluster members, TLS managers, and teachers, ultimately enhancing the delivery of non-formal education programs.
• On 11 February, Education Cluster partners delivered 27 high-performance tents to northern Gaza to support the establishment of new TLSs, further expanding access to education.
• The relocation of TLS to areas where IDPs have returned is underway. Over the past two weeks, Education Cluster partners have established 15 new TLSs in Gaza, Deir al Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah governorates, providing learning opportunities for more than 2,200 school-aged children. These TLSs offer access to PSS, recreational activities, and lifesaving messages on protection and hygiene promotion.
• During the reporting period, more than 24,000 learners have received backpacks, individual PSS kits, and other essential education supplies, primarily in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. Many of these learners have studied in UNRWA schools that have been repurposed as shelters. These supplies aim to enhance the quality of their learning experience, ensuring continued access to education despite ongoing challenges.
• On 9 and 10 February, eight schools serving as shelters in eastern Khan Younis received critical educational supplies, including 70 school-in-a-box kits benefiting over 2,800 learners and 36 recreational kits supporting more than 3,250 learners. These supplies mark the first support provided to eastern Khan Younis since the onset of largescale displacement in the area in December 2023. 
• During the reporting period, Education Cluster members continued to assist Palestinian Authority-run schools serving as shelters  in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah. During the first two weeks of February, 19,528 girls aged 12 and above received dignity kits to encourage school attendance.

Challenges

• The Education Cluster reports that restrictions on education supplies continue to hamper the education response. One partner, despite obtaining pre-approval, still has four trucks carrying education supplies denied entry into Gaza, while another partner reports being prevented from bringing in PSS kits. Additionally, 465,000 individual educational kits remain stuck in Jordan due to ongoing restrictions. The Education Cluster continues to call for joint advocacy to facilitate the entry of essential education supplies.
• Most schools are still hosting IDPs, which makes it difficult to rehabilitate and use them for learning in the short term.
• Severe weather conditions on 5 and 6 February further disrupted education efforts. Heavy rains and storms damaged several TLSs, including locations in Deir Balah and Al Qarara in Khan Younis, resulting in the temporary suspension of learning for over 500 students.
• Limited internet access, a shortage of electronic devices, and an unreliable power supply further undermine efforts to facilitate children’s learning, including e-learning programs provided by UNRWA and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE).
• Funding is not sufficient to meet the massive levels of education needs. The OPT Flash Appeal for the education response is only seven per cent funded. Additional funding is urgently required to expand access to education and mitigate the long-term impact of this crisis.
• In Gaza city and North Gaza, partners continue to identify potential sites for TLS; however, the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXOs) remains a major challenge due to limited clearance capacity.

Response

• Between 2 and 15 February, the Logistics Cluster facilitated nine direct convoys of 180 trucks from Amman to Erez West Crossing (Zikim) on behalf of four partners, carrying 1,658 MT of food, health, nutrition, shelter items, and WASH. To date, the Logistics Cluster has facilitated 127 humanitarian inter-agency convoys through the Jordan corridor, dispatching 1,853 trucks with 18,068 MT of aid into Gaza on behalf of 28 partners. 
• The Logistics Cluster continues to facilitate transport from the Gaza entry points (Erez West, Erez, Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem) to partners' warehouses and common storage facilities.  
• During the reporting period, the Logistics Cluster has resumed facilitating Back-to-Back (B2B) convoys during the ceasefire from Jordan to Erez East Crossing due to the simplification of the customs clearance requirements for humanitarian cargo.
• During the reporting period, the Logistics Cluster secured a new consolidation warehouse in Amman with a capacity of 3,500 pallets and additional warehouse space totaling 5,350 square metres in northern Gaza.
• The Logistics Cluster launched the fourth Gaza Warehouse Mapping Survey to assess capacity, identify gaps and damages, and explore opportunities for sharing storage space.

Challenges

• Logistics Cluster partners face challenges in delivering aid classified as dual-use into Gaza, as these items are restricted at the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem Crossing and permitted only on Wednesdays. Delays of at least one week in the entry of approved supplies are affecting the predictability and efficiency of the humanitarian supply chain. 
• An abrupt reduction of the pallet height restriction from 170 to 160 centimeters by Israeli authorities has led to multiple truck rejections. A Logistics Cluster survey found that at least 22 partners have 40,994 pallets affected by the change, placing them at risk of incurring significant costs due to the need to re-palletize cargo. 

Response

• On 9 February, the ETC team conducted an assessment in Gaza city to evaluate and strengthen internet connectivity at the inter-agency common hub. The team is now analyzing recommendations and exploring potential solutions to enhance internet connectivity at this location.
• The cluster is engaging with the Office of the Quartet, OCHA and relevant authorities to facilitate the import of ICT equipment, aimed at supporting the telecommunications sector in strengthening its services across Gaza.

• For more information on ETC activities, please visit:Palestine: Conflict | Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) (etcluster.org).

Challenges

• A significant amount of equipment has been damaged or destroyed due to hostilities, and importing telecommunications equipment continues to be restricted and challenging, limiting the delivery of needed ETC services, including critical telecommunications and internet services in Gaza. The restrictions remain in place following the onset of the ceasefire.
• The safety of humanitarian aid workers in Gaza remains a concern. Although the ceasefire has reduced immediate security threats, the unstable environment poses challenges for deploying shared ETC services and providing technical support to humanitarian partners. 
• Insufficient funding has limited the Cluster’s capacity to address immediate communications needs for humanitarian responders in Gaza. The Cluster continues to appeal to potential donors for funding.

Protection against sexual abuse and exploitation (PSEA) remains a cross-cutting priority for all clusters. Aid distribution must be delivered with dignity and respect. Any wrongdoing can be reported through SAWA toll-free number 164. SAWA will assist and provide services free of charge and with the utmost confidentiality.

* Asterisks indicate that a figure, sentence, or section has been rectified, added, or retracted after the initial publication of this update.