United Nations reports aid reaches besieged families in West Bank

United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reported that humanitarian workers have reached Palestinian families in Kusra, West Bank, who had been under siege for approximately one week. The families were reportedly surrounded by Israeli forces and settlers, with access to their homes restricted by the establishment of nearby settlement outposts.

UNOCHA workers successfully assisted in repairing water and electricity connections that had been damaged, despite facing obstacles. Dujarric noted that Israeli forces have also targeted municipal workers and ordered the closure of a Palestinian factory, impacting local livelihoods.

Regarding the broader humanitarian crisis, Dujarric warned that only a small fraction of the $4 billion required for aid in the West Bank and Gaza has been collected. There is a critical shortage of winter preparedness supplies; for Gaza, fewer than 30,000 tents are available, while the need ranges from 80,000 to 130,000. Additionally, ongoing Israeli military operations, including airstrikes and artillery fire in southern Gaza, continue to impact the civilian population.