UN coordinator highlights ongoing access hurdles and reconstruction needs in Gaza

The United Nations and its partners are delivering water, sanitation, shelter and health assistance in Gaza, yet they encounter persistent restrictions that limit both humanitarian access and the flow of reconstruction materials. Gazans continue to suffer from insufficient clean water, a problem highlighted by the UN Special Coordinator one year after the ceasefire. Agencies such as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) remain active on the ground, operating despite the imposed limitations and striving to meet urgent needs while navigating a complex access environment.

Beyond immediate relief, residents are pressing for a return to normal life that includes adequate housing, the ability to work, and children back in classrooms. The UN is supporting debris removal, the restoration of water infrastructure and medical services, and the provision of assistance to vulnerable families. Efforts also focus on rebuilding schools and creating opportunities for livelihoods, reflecting Gazans’ desire to move beyond temporary tents and to actively contribute to the recovery of their communities and the reconstruction of their homes.

Tensions are rising in the occupied West Bank, where settler violence, economic pressures and movement restrictions are intensifying humanitarian concerns. The UN has repeatedly called for the protection of civilians and respect for international law in both Gaza and the West Bank. At the same time, the international community continues to endorse a two‑state solution, urging renewed trust‑building, stronger Palestinian institutions and a credible political process that can underpin lasting peace and enable sustainable recovery across the region.