OCHA, 9 March 2026, Update Occupied Palestinian Territory. Actualización sobre el Territorio Palestino Ocupado

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) 

9 March 2026
Update Occupied Palestinian Territory

Crossing closures continue to hinder delivery of life-saving aid

OCHA says that the closure of crossings along Gaza’s perimeter continues to undermine humanitarian operations. 

The continued closure of the Zikim crossing is forcing aid workers to re-route critical supplies intended for northern Gaza through the southern crossing of Kerem Shalom, which is still the only operational crossing point. This long route is slower and more costly, and increases reliance on scarce fuel inside Gaza, where movements take place on damaged roads. 

Yesterday, some humanitarian staff were allowed to rotate in and out of the Strip for the first time since the escalation of violence in the region. 

The exit from Gaza of patients who need medical evacuations and the return of Palestinians from abroad remain suspended. 

Meanwhile, the UN and its partners continue to seize every opportunity to support people in need and scale up humanitarian operations where possible.  

In a social media post published for International Women’s Day, the UN Mine Action Service said women and girls play a critical role in mitigating the risks of explosive ordnance in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). They educate community members on these risks, help ensure the safety of mine action teams at their communities, and support data collection that guides effective planning. 

Turning to the West Bank, in a statement issued over the weekend, the Deputy Special Coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, condemned the killing and injury of Palestinians in attacks by Israeli settlers. He warned that such violence is becoming increasingly extreme, underscoring the grave risks faced by Palestinians. Dr. Alakbarov called on Israeli authorities to prevent such attacks, stressing that Israel must ensure that civilians are protected and that those responsible are held accountable. 

The UN documented over the weekend the killing of four Palestinians in two separate settler attacks. Three of the fatalities were hit by live ammunition whereas a fourth person died after inhaling teargas used by Israeli forces who intervened in an attack perpetrated by settlers. Last week, the UN recorded two Palestinian fatalities in another settler attack. 

Meanwhile, the closure of checkpoints across the West Bank continues to undermine people’s access to services and workplaces, as well as the movement of emergency and humanitarian teams. 

In a social media post, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros, said that ambulances are taking longer to reach patients as they must use longer routes and search for accessible gates. WHO called for the unimpeded movement of medical supplies and health workers across the OPT, and the protection of health care.