The occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) is one of the most complex and challenging environments in which the United Nations operates. The OPT remains a protracted political crisis characterized by 55 years of Israeli military occupation. This crisis is exacerbated by a lack of adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law, internal Palestinian divisions and the recurrent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian armed groups. The results are chronic protection concerns and humanitarian needs which will continue in the absence of a sustainable political solution and opportunities for further development. The crisis has been further exacerbated by the compounded impact of the increased cost of commodities due to the war in Ukraine, slow recovery from the 2021 May escalation of hostilities, and increasing violence in the West Bank.
The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) estimates that in 2023, approximately 2.1 million Palestinians across the OPT will require some form of humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian conditions created by OPT’s multi-dimensional crisis continues to impact all parts of the territory and affect every aspect of Palestinian life. Palestinians are in their fifth decade of grappling with the safety, security, financial and emotional consequences of occupation and political turmoil.
Despite its responsibilities as the occupying power and party to the Geneva Conventions, the Government of Israel continues to implement policies in the OPT in violation of the Conventions which exacerbate the humanitarian needs and protection risks of the Palestinian people and threaten the humanitarian community’s ability to respond effectively.