24 February 2026

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners continue to provide displaced families with fresh bread, hot meals and digital cash assistance.

On the water and sanitation situation, partners report that the Mekorot water supply line from Israel, which had been operating at reduced capacity due to two identified leaks, has remained fully shut down since 10 February, as repairs near the reservoir have not been completed. To respond to this, humanitarians have been increasing water trucking to affected neighborhoods to increase people’s access to safe drinking water.

Most sewage pumping stations across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed over the past two years of war. Humanitarians are working swiftly, wherever access is possible, to rehabilitate these facilities, which are critical to preventing sewage overflows, the contamination of drinking water, and the spread of waterborne diseases.

In Beit Lahia, partners are assessing the Abu Obeida sewage pumping station to determine the extent of damage, the parts that require repair, and the materials and equipment needed to restore operations.

On the health front, humanitarians report that treating cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other conditions continues to be affected by critical shortages of medicine and laboratory supplies.

Last week, partners distributed emergency hemodialysis supplies, following a prolonged gap, and additional antidiabetic and antihypertensive medicines. Two new clinics for the screening of non-communicable diseases have also become operational in North Gaza, but more are needed to offer adequate care.

The UN and its humanitarian partners reiterate that much more life-saving assistance could reach people across the Gaza Strip if the continued impediments are lifted.