Airstrikes in Gaza City and Central Gaza worsened the situation of Palestinians who fled there from the northern part of the Strip. Violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories Continues in the New Year Peace and Security
The occupied Palestinian territories continue to face violence, displacement and a humanitarian crisis in the new year, the Palestinian office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said today.
Gaza’s Nightmare Continues
A new report from the OHCHR office says that tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Gaza over the past 15 months due to ongoing attacks. Almost all of the enclave’s residents have fled their homes and shelters multiple times. No one was safe – dozens of rescue workers, medical workers, journalists, police officers and UN staff were killed.
The first week of the new year has been no exception. At least 332 people have been killed in fighting since January 1, 2025. The Israeli army continues to issue evacuation notices. According to OHCHR, airstrikes in Gaza City and Central Gaza have been particularly severe, worsening the situation of Palestinians who fled there from the northern part of the Strip.
Israel also continues to obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the authors of the report noted. The crisis of public order, including due to attacks by the Israeli army against civilian police, is making it difficult to distribute existing supplies.
Since the beginning of the year, Israeli airstrikes have killed security guards for humanitarian operations on at least two occasions, and looters also attacked a convoy of 74 UN trucks on Saturday, hijacking 43 of them.
West Bank
Human rights abuses also continue in the West Bank. This includes, according to the OHCHR report, the use of methods and means of warfare outside the context of hostilities, the use of lethal force against unarmed people, and extrajudicial killings of Palestinians wanted by Israel.
In addition, there are forced evictions, home demolitions, the expansion of illegal settlements, ongoing severe restrictions on movement, the destruction of Palestinian communities, and an unprecedented crackdown on freedom of speech, the press and opinion.
Since the beginning of the year, Israeli security forces have killed nine Palestinians, including four children, in raids. Today, January 8, two boys, aged eight and 10, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tammun. On Friday, Israeli settlers attacked several Palestinian villages, setting homes and cars on fire, seriously injuring at least ten people.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Palestinian gunmen fired at Israeli cars near a settlement, killing three Israelis, including two elderly women and a 35-year-old policeman. These events have prompted threats of retaliatory violence in the media and from Israeli officials.
Violations by Palestinian Forces
The actions of Palestinian security forces remain a concern, OHCHR said. An operation in the Jenin refugee camp that began on 5 December 2024 resulted in the deaths of eight Palestinians, most of them unarmed, and six security personnel. Among the dead were a father and his 14-year-old son, who were shot dead on 3 January. Palestinian security forces have denied any involvement in the incident.
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Freedom of expression continues to be suppressed, including restrictions on Al Jazeera broadcasts, bans on criticism of the Palestinian Authority on social media, and arrests of activists.
Eight children die of hypothermia
UNICEF reports that in the first seven days At least 74 children have been killed in Gaza since 2025. Most were victims of mass attacks, including overnight strikes on Gaza, Khan Younis and Al-Mawasi. In addition, a lack of adequate shelter, coupled with winter temperatures, poses a serious threat. More than a million children are living in makeshift tents. Since December 26, eight infants and newborns have been reported to have died from hypothermia, a serious risk for young children.
“Lack of shelter, inadequate nutrition and health care, as well as harsh winter conditions, are putting children at mortal risk. Newborns and children with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “The violence must stop immediately, the victims must be helped, and the hostages must be freed.”