UN calls for $1.2bn funding for humanitarian aid for Palestinians

Approximately $1.2 billion is needed to scale up humanitarian operations in support of 2.2 million people in the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip and 500,000 of the most vulnerable in the occupied West Bank, according to the United Nations. has today issued a plan that outlines the minimum necessary.

In a statement released today, the UN OCHA said: “The magnitude of this response and operational constraints are beyond what has ever been seen before in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and other contexts. The required humanitarian responses cover health and nutrition, food security, protection, water and sanitation, shelter and non-food items, education, multi-purpose cash assistance, logistics, emergency telecommunications, and coordination.”

The funds will be used to deliver existing humanitarian services amid ongoing hostilities.”This estimation does not cover the cost of early recovery and reconstruction, which will be estimated once the security situation allows for appropriate assessments.”

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Israel has carried out a relentless bombing campaign against civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip since 7 October.

The Israeli army has been launching a devastating bombardment of Gaza, killing 9,770 Palestinians, including 4,800 children and 2,550 women, and injuring more than 24,000 others.

As many as 2,060 are also reported missing under the rubble of their homes which Israel had bombed.

Meanwhile, as many as 151 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank since 7 October and 2,080 were arrested.