The United Nations has urged the immediate reopening of all border crossings into Gaza to facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance, according to UN agencies in Geneva.
The appeal came jointly from the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which highlighted the deepening humanitarian crisis in the enclave.
Despite Israel’s decision earlier in 2025 to cut ties with UNRWA over alleged links to Hamas, the agency has continued operations through its 12,000 local staff, who remain central to relief efforts.
“Without our network on the ground, aid delivery would be impossible,” said UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma, noting that the agency remains Gaza’s largest humanitarian provider.
Israel retains control of all entry points into Gaza and must authorise aid convoys while guaranteeing their safety. The terms of future cooperation between Israel and UNRWA on aid delivery are still unclear.
UN officials said a major priority is restoring education for more than 650,000 children whose schooling was disrupted following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and the ensuing conflict.
Touma explained that about half of those children had attended UNRWA-run schools, adding that 7,000 teachers are ready to resume classes once conditions permit.
Meanwhile, UNICEF announced winter relief plans, stating that every child under one year old in Gaza would receive two boxes of warm clothing, while one million blankets have been reserved for minors.
The agency also said it had sufficient supplies to feed 50,000 malnourished children and assist 60,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women.
(NAN)