Humanitarian Situation Update #252 | West Bank

The Humanitarian Situation Update is issued by OCHA Occupied Palestinian Territory twice a week. The Gaza Strip is covered on Tuesdays and the West Bank on Thursdays. The Gaza Humanitarian Response Update is issued every other Tuesday. The next Humanitarian Situation Update will be issued on 8 January.

Key Highlights

• Between 24 and 30 December, eleven Palestinians, including two women and two children, were killed by Israeli forces. Ten of these fatalities occurred within 48 hours between 24 and 25 December in the northern West Bank, with eight killed in airstrikes by Israeli forces.
• Since the beginning of the operation by Palestinian forces in Jenin refugee camp on 5 December, eleven* Palestinians were killed, including two children, one woman and five* members of Palestinian forces. For the past 26 days, access to basic services, including education, water and health, has been severely disrupted.
• At least 21 Palestinian households, comprising 94 people remain displaced following a two-day operation by Israeli forces in Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps, which resulted in damage to about 1,050 housing units.
• The year 2024 has recorded the highest numbers in nearly two decades since OCHA began documents such incidents, with approximately 4,250 Palestinians displaced 1,760 structures destroyed, and about 1,400 incidents involving Israeli settlers across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
• Since 7 October 2023, Israeli forces have intensified movement restrictions in the Israeli-controlled area of Hebron city (H2), including the recent installation of a barbed wire barrier in one of the neighbourhoods. This has further disrupted access to livelihoods, essential services, and education for thousands of Palestinians.

Humanitarian Developments (24-30 December)

• During the reporting period, Israeli forces killed eleven Palestinians, including two children and two women, and injured 49 others, including 19 children and four women, across the West Bank. In Israel, a Palestinian from the West Bank stabbed and killed an Israeli woman. Five Palestinians, including a female journalist and three members of the Palestinian forces, were killed in Jenin refugee camp within the context of the ongoing operation by Palestinian forces. For more information on casualties and further breakdowns of data, please see the monthly West Bank Snapshot. All the incidents resulting in fatalities and other key incidents are as follows:

Israeli Palestinian conflict related incidents:

• In the early hours of 24 December, Israeli forces launched an operation in Tulkarm Refugee Camp, which later extended to Nur Shams refugee camp, both located in Tulkarm Governorate. The operation, lasting over 40 hours between 24 and 25 December, involved two drone strikes, exchanges of fire, detonations of explosive devices, and extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure by military bulldozers in and around both camps (see below the initial assessment of reported damages). Eight Palestinians were killed, including two women and one child (boy). Seven fatalities were reported in Tulkarm refugee camp, all but one were killed in drone-strikes, while the remaining killing was reported in another strike in Nur Shams refugee camp.
• On 25 December, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man during a raid in Qaffin town, north of Tulkarm city. Israeli forces besieged a house for approximately three hours, during which armed clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces were reported. Israeli forces fired multiple anti-tank rifle grenades at the house, killing a Palestinian man inside. His body was later withheld by Israeli forces.
• On 25 December, Israeli forces conducted a raid in Tammun village, southeast of Tubas city. The operation, which lasted over an hour, involved exchanges of fire and a drone strike. The strike hit and killed a 17-year-old boy and injured at least one other person. The drone strike also partially damaged some nearby buildings.
• On 26 December, Israeli forces shot and killed an 18-year-old Palestinian during a raid in the town of Ya'bad in Jenin. Palestinians reportedly threw stones and explosive devices, and Israeli forces fired live ammunition. Human rights organizations stated that the injured youth, who was shot in the chest, did not receive first said from Israeli forces and was left unattended for approximately 10 minutes before withdrawing.
• On 27 December, a Palestinian man from Tulkarm in the West Bank stabbed and killed an elderly Israeli woman before being injured by an Israeli security guard in Herzliya city in Israel.

Intra-Palestinian clashes involving Palestinian forces:

• Since 5 December, Palestinian forces have been carrying out an operation in Jenin refugee camp, exchanging fire with armed Palestinians, and closing off the camp’s entrances. Eleven* Palestinians have been killed, including two children. Among the fatalities, three were caused by Palestinian forces and three* by either armed Palestinians or Palestinian forces. Five* members of Palestinian forces were killed, including two while dismantling an IED and three* by armed Palestinians. UNRWA has suspended its services in the camp for 19 days including at four schools serving about 1,700 students. On 20 December, UNRWA called for respect for the inviolability of its facilities, protected under international law, after becoming aware that armed Palestinians were occupying its health centre in the camp. UNRWA later confirmed that the health center was vacated by armed Palestinians on 31 December after 12 days. About 12,000 residents in the camp have had limited access to water and electricity. The rehabilitation of water networks, which were significantly damaged by previous Israeli military operations, remains on hold, affecting over 60 per cent of the camp's population. On 30 December, parts of the electricity network were repaired. However, several generators have reportedly been damaged, causing intermittent electricity and communication outages in multiple neighbourhoods inside the camp. All the incidents resulting in fatalities are as follows:
  • On 24 December, a Palestinian man was shot and killed reportedly by Palestinian forces while attempting to leave the camp along with his wife, according to human rights groups.
  • On 25 December, a member of Palestinian forces succumbed to injuries sustained on 22 December while attempting to dismantle an IED in Jenin refugee camp.
  • On 26 December, a member of the Palestinian forces was killed during armed clashes with Palestinians near Al Damj neighbourhood on the outskirts of Jenin refugee camp. According to a statement by Palestinian forces, the fatality occurred after Molotov cocktails were thrown at a house where members of the Palestinian forces were stationed.
  • On 28 December, two Palestinians—a female journalist and a member of the Palestinian forces —were killed. The Palestinian forces member died in clashes with armed Palestinians. The journalist was reportedly shot outside her home while holding her nephew. It remains unclear whether she was shot by Palestinian forces or armed Palestinians.

Humanitarian needs and responses to Israeli operation in Tulkarm and Nur Shams refugee camps

• On 31 December, OCHA, UNRWA, and humanitarian partners initiated an inter-cluster needs assessments in both refugee camps in Tulkarm governorates to assess the humanitarian impact of the operation by Israeli forces between 24 and 25 December. Key findings include:
  • In Tulkarm refugee Camp, 12 refugee families, comprising 61 people, were temporarily displaced as their homes sustained substantial damage from explosions and bulldozing during the operation. Additionally, ten families previously displaced during operations in recent months, experienced further damage to their homes. At least 828 housing units were partially or moderately damaged, requiring immediate rehabilitation. Electricity was cut off across most neighbourhoods for approximately 43 hours and is currently being restored intermittently, affecting the Dinnabeh and Al-Salam neighbourhoods of Tulkarm city. The water supply was disrupted, forcing residents to rely on mobile water tankers, with an estimated 33 mobile tankers distributed across the camp’s neighbourhoods. These disruptions have significantly exacerbated the humanitarian situation for over 11,000 camp residents. Additionally, an estimated 100 livelihood shops sustained varying degrees of damage, further undermining the economic stability of affected families and compounding the challenges faced by the population.
  • In Nur Shams refugee camp, nine families, comprising 33 people, were displaced as their homes sustained substantial damage from explosions and bulldozing during the operation. Additionally, seven families previously displaced during operations in the past three months, experienced further damage to their homes. The operation caused widespread destruction, including the bulldozing of the camp's main street and several surrounding roads. Initial assessments by UNRWA and local authorities report 222 housing units were partially or moderately damaged, requiring immediate rehabilitation. The bulldozing and flooding of roads with sewage water have severely disrupted movement within and around the camp, restricted access to medical and educational services, and further deteriorated living conditions for the camp’s population (7,000 resident). The bulldozing has also impacted the main road connecting Tulkarm and Nablus, hindering safe access for commuters and exacerbating the challenges faced by residents. The destruction of roads, coupled with disruptions to infrastructure, has significantly undermined the dignity and safe access to basic services for the population of Tulkarm and Nur Shams Refugee Camps.
• The WASH cluster, in collaboration with UNRWA, and the Palestinian Water Authority, has been coordinating urgent interventions in both camps, including water trucking, hygiene kit distribution, installing Polyethylene tanks and sewage vacuuming. They have identified the need for water storage tanks (1m³ each) to 200 households, alongside 750 hygiene kits for families whose shelters sustained major or partial damage. OCHA mobilized operating clusters for immediate responses, including the Cash Working Group partners who will provide necessary assistance, including Emergency Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance (EMPCA). These efforts will continue for the next 2-3 weeks.

Settler-related Violence

• During the reporting period, OCHA documented 19 incidents perpetrated by Israeli settlers that led to casualties and/or damage of Palestinian-owned property. The incidents led to the injury of nine Palestinians, including two children, and the vandalism of two animal shelters, three vehicles and over 170 olive saplings and grape vines.
• Since the beginning of 2024, OCHA has recoded about 1,420 incidents of Israeli settler violence. These incidents include settlers reportedly killing five Palestinians, including a child, and injuring 360 other Palestinians, including 35 children, and vandalising more than 26,100 Palestinian-owned trees. This year has seen the highest numbers of incidents related to settler violence that reportedly led to casualties, damage to property or both, since OCHA started recording such incidents in 2006. Additionally, incidents of intimidation and attacks on Palestinian Bedouin communities, have led to the displacement of over 300 families comprising 1,762 people, including 856 children, further highlight the severe humanitarian impact of settler violence.

Key incidents during the reporting period include:

• On 29 December, Israeli settlers believed to be from the newly established outpost, west of Silwad village in Ramallah governorate, physically assaulted Palestinian farmers with bats while working their land, injuring four. One of the injured sustained severe injuries and all were transported to hospital. The settlers also vandalized two vehicles.
• Since the establishment of this settlement outpost on 5 December 2024, agricultural land west of Silwad have been subjected to repeated attacks and destruction. Israeli settlers have broken into farming units, damaged property, and seized Palestinian belongings. Furthermore, Israeli settlers under the protection of Israeli forces, have blocked access roads, preventing farmers from reaching their own lands and forcing them to leave.
• On 26 December, Israeli forces escorting Israeli settlers to conduct religious ceremonies near Halhul village (Hebron), shot tear gas canisters and live ammunition towards Palestinians who gathered and threw stones at them, injuring three Palestinians, including two children.
• On 24 December, Israeli settlers believed to be from Sde Efrayim settlement outpost raided a Palestinian land in Area B in the outskirts of Kaft Ni’ma village (Ramallah). The settlers damaged the construction material and seized other items from a Palestinian-owned house under construction. The northern outskirts of the village have been repeatedly targeted by settlers from this outpost with frequent attacks on Palestinians and their properties.
• On 28 December, armed Israeli settlers believed to be from Magnazi Farm outpost raided Palestinian land in the northeast of Ni’lin village (Ramallah). The settlers set fire to an agricultural structure made of wood and plastic sheets, vandalized fences and destroyed around 70 olive saplings. Additionally, the settlers also broke into the shelter of Bedouin families living in the area, intimidated them, and as reported by the families, threatened them to leave within two weeks.
• On 29 December, Israeli settlers believed to be from Karmei Tzur settlement raided agricultural land near the settlement belonging to Halhul (Hebron) near the settlement and uprooted 100 grape vines. Since 7 October 2023, prior coordination has been required from Palestinians to access the area. The damage was discovered by the landowner when he came to his land after he was granted access.
• During night hours on 25 December, a group of armed Israeli settlers believed to be from a newly established outpost near the Halaweh community in the Israeli-declared firing zone 918, raided the community claiming that they lost sheep. Shortly after the settlers were evacuated by Israeli forces, they raided the community again and vandalizied a vehicle and physically assaulted a Palestinian and stole his identification card and mobile phone. After that, the settlers vandalised an animal shelter and attacked sheep, killing three lambs.

Demolitions

• During the reporting period, OCHA documented the demolition of 16 Palestinian-owned structures across the West Bank, including two in East Jerusalem and 14 in Area C, due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain. As a result, 13 people were displaced, including eight children, and around 50 people were otherwise affected.
  • During the reporting period, two families were forced to demolish their two residential structures in East Jerusalem in the areas of Sur Bahir and Jabal al Mukabbir on 26 and 30 December. These demolitions displaced 12 people, including seven children. Since the beginning of the year, 65 per cent of the structures demolished in East Jerusalem (140 out of 215 structures) were demolished by their owners following the issuance of demolition orders, compared with 42 per cent in the previous five years. The proportion of structures destroyed by their owners represents around 5052 per cent, compared with all of 2022 and 2023, respectively.
• Overall, in 2024, Israeli forces demolished or forced the demolition of 1,762 Palestinian-owned structures, displacing 4,253 Palestinians, including 1,712 children, and affecting around 165,000 others.
• The year2024 has recorded the highest numbers of displaced people, and destroyed structures, in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem since OCHA began documenting demolitions and displacement in 2009. This surge is primarily attributed to the extensive destruction of Palestinian homes and infrastructure caused by Israeli forces. These operations, often involving air and land bombardments as well as armed clashes with Palestinians, have predominantly occurred in Jenin and Tulkarm cities and their refugee camps.

H2 movement restriction update

• On 15 December, Israeli forces installed a barbed wire barrier in the As Salaymeh neighbourhood in the designated restricted area of H2 of Hebron city, entirely blocking the only pedestrian path for residents from four neighbourhoods to access essential services, including one of four educational facilities and the only healthcare clinic. This directly affects approximately 2,500 residents in the designated restricted and prohibited area of H2 area of Hebron city. On 17 December, residents of the As Salaymeh and Jaber neighbourhoods held a sit-in demanding the removal of the barrier. The protest was met with a response by Israeli border police, who deployed stun grenades and tear gas and arrested three Palestinians. The detainees were reportedly subjected to severe physical assault before being released them three hours later.
  • Impact on Education: The barbed wire installation has further impeded access to the Ziyad Jaber School, which serves 285 boys from first to seventh grades. Students from affected neighbourhoods are now forced to take significantly longer detours along settler-dominated roads and through checkpoints. Since the imposition of movement restrictions in H2 area on 7 October 2023, school attendance has dropped by 25 per cent. Some families have opted to transfer their children to other schools, resulting in 50 students transferring within the restricted zone, 12 enrolling in schools in the unrestricted area of H2, and eight relocating with their families outside of H2 entirely.
  • Impact on Healthcare: healthcare access has also been severely disrupted following the installation of the barbed wire. Approximately 2,500 residents in the restricted area now face significant barriers in reaching the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic, the only medical facility in this part of H2 area. Although MSF resumed operations in May 2024 following a six-month closure, the October restrictions have made it increasingly difficult for residents to access medical care, leaving many without consistent healthcare and further compounding their vulnerability.
• Palestinians residing in the H2 area of Hebron city face a coercive environment characterized by settler violence, frequent raids and incursions by Israeli forces and severe access restrictions. Following the escalation of hostilities in Gaza since 7 October 2023, Israeli authorities imposed a full closure on the H2 area, accompanied by a curfew on Palestinian residents until 22 October 2023. Since then, a new system regulating movement has been enforced through designated checkpoints, further restricting access to basic services and exacerbating already difficult living conditions. Residents now face extensive movement barriers, including 80 physical obstacles, such as 24 permanently staffed checkpoints.

Funding

• As of 2 January 2024, Member States have disbursed about US$2.34 billion out of the $3.42 billion (70 per cent) requested to meet the most critical needs of 2.3 million* people in Gaza and 800,000 people in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, between January and December 2024. For funding analysis, please see the Flash Appeal Financial Tracking dashboard. (*2.3 million reflects the projected population of the Gaza Strip upon issuance of the Flash Appeal in April 2024. As of July 2024, the UN estimates that about 2.1 million people remain in the Gaza Strip, and this updated number is now used for programmatic purposes.)
• On 11 December 2024, the UN and humanitarian partners launched a Flash Appeal for nearly $4.07 billion to address the humanitarian needs of three million out of 3.3 million people identified as requiring assistance in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2025. Nearly 90 per cent of those funds are for the humanitarian response in Gaza, with just over 10 per cent for the West Bank. The $4.07 billion ask is significantly less than what is needed for a full-scale humanitarian response, which would require $6.6 billion. This shortfall reflects the expectation that aid organizations will continue to face unacceptable constraints on their operations in 2025. These operational challenges are expected to drastically limit the amount of assistance that humanitarians are able to provide, exacerbating the already dire conditions and suffering of the Palestinians. The appeal underscores the urgent need for Israel to take immediate and effective measures to ensure the essential needs of civilians are met. This includes lifting all impediments to aid and fully facilitating humanitarian operations, including the distribution of essential goods to Palestinians in need. Such actions are critical to enabling the implementation of the full scale of the urgently required humanitarian response.
• During November, the oPt Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF) managed 124 ongoing projects, totalling $91.7 million. These projects aimed to address urgent needs in the Gaza Strip (89 per cent) and the West Bank (11 per cent) and are strategically focused on education, food security, health, protection, emergency shelter and non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), coordination and support services, multi-purpose cash assistance and nutrition. Of these projects, 70 are being implemented by international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), 40 by national NGOs and 14 by UN agencies. Notably, 50 out of the 84 projects conducted by INGOs or the UN are being implemented in collaboration with national NGOs. Monthly updates, annual reports, and a list of all funded projects per year, are available on the oPt Humanitarian Fund webpage, under the financing section.

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