Israel’s decision to once again prevent all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza is a cruel and illegal act that will push Gaza back towards famine during the holy month of Ramadan, with fatal consequences for young children.
In 2024, Syrian children continued to endure the effects of the ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and displacement, culminating in the fall of the government on 8 December. The humanitarian situation remains fluid and unpredictable.
Renard emphasized the importance of continuing the current surge. “The ceasefire must hold, and all border crossings must remain open and operational at full capacity. There can be no going back.”
The security situation in Syria remained volatile with sporadic security escalations. Hostilities continues to impact Northeast Syria (NES), particularly in eastern Aleppo and around the Tishreen Dam, as well as in Al-Hasakeh and ArRaqqa governorates.
On 18 February, the Israel Army withdrew from remaining population centres in southern Lebanon, while maintaining presence in five strategic positions along the Blue Line. The Lebanese Armed Forces deployed into vacated areas, supporting population returns.
For almost 500 days, Gaza has been subject to one of the most intense bombing campaigns in history. The extensive and widespread harm, largely caused by the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas, has displaced 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.1 million inhabitants and damaged more than 66 percent of Gaza’s structures.
The recent shift of power in Syria on 8 December 2024 has reshaped the humanitarian landscape, bringing both new challenges and opportunities for recovery across the country.
Since the ceasefire, food security partners have brought over 57,000 metric tons of food into Gaza, more than double the amount in the month prior to the ceasefire; distribution of that assistance is ongoing.
918,769 people displaced within Lebanon back in their cadaster of origin while 115,234 people remain displaced outside their cadaster of origin as of 12 February.
The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024 has created a historic opportunity to advance justice and the rule of law, ensuring accountability for years of atrocity crimes and implementing governance, judicial, and security sector reforms that protect and fulfil civil, political, and socio-economic rights.
UNIFIL congratulates Lebanon on the formation of a new Government. Peacekeepers will actively support the Salam Government in its efforts to fully implement resolution 1701, including through our strong partnership with the Lebanese Army and other security institutions.
Since the fall of the Assad regime, many Syrian refugees are returning, exposed to the unexploded ordnance contaminating Syria. HI runs a prevention campaign on the border with Turkey.
Sixteen days have passed since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions was announced, yet the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is still dire.
Up to 50 NWS based health cluster partners have been engaging in continuous coordination and dialogue with Damascus and other sub-national health sector coordination groups.
After a 15-months devastating war, the humanitarian situation remains catastrophic in the Gaza Strip. Most children have lost access to quality healthcare, education, water and other vital services.
Over 376,000 people are estimated to have returned to their places of origin in northern Gaza, following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the two main roads along the Netzarim corridor.
For our part, the United Nations will do all we can to advance these efforts — in particular, to scale up humanitarian aid across Gaza, fully aware of the significant obstacles, challenges and constraints that we still face.
The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the Gaza ceasefire, hostage and prisoner release deal, which brings hope for millions of people whose lives have been ravaged by the conflict.