WASHINGTON, DC — Thousands of Palestinians are making their way back to what remains of their homes following the recent ceasefire, only to be confronted by scenes of immense destruction and overcrowded UN shelters.
Since the truce was announced, displaced residents have attempted to return to their communities. Many, however, are facing the harsh reality that their homes have been reduced to rubble. With limited options, families are seeking refuge in areas newly opened under the ceasefire agreement, though many of these sites are already overwhelmed.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, reported growing movement across the Gaza Strip as residents try to relocate to safer or newly accessible areas.
“Our partners monitoring the flow of people across the Strip report that on Sunday, they recorded nearly 13,800 displacements towards Gaza City and North Gaza, and about 4,100 movements towards the east,” Haq told reporters at a UN press briefing.
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), humanitarian operations are being rapidly expanded under the 60-day response plan. Aid agencies are increasing their presence in newly accessible areas and working to meet soaring needs.
“Our partners working on food security report that, as of Sunday, food parcels were being distributed at over two dozen locations in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, reaching more than 15,000 households,” Haq said. “These food parcels include rice, lentils, beans, chickpea paste, tomato paste, and fortified sunflower oil. Partners are working to expand the number of distribution points so people can access food closer to where they live.”
UN agencies and 21 partner organizations also provided nearly 944,000 meals over the weekend through 178 community kitchens—a significant increase in food assistance.
“This is an increase of some 286,000 daily meals in about three weeks,” Haq added. “Sunday’s total included 69,000 meals from 13 kitchens in the north, and 875,000 meals from 165 kitchens in the south and central areas.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also stepped up its efforts, dispatching four pallets of critical medical supplies to key health facilities. The supplies include treatments for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, medicines for infections and malnutrition, and essential pain relief medications.
Shelter assistance is being scaled up amid mounting concerns about the impending winter season. “On Sunday, our partners distributed 300 tents to vulnerable households in Khan Younis and 14,700 blankets to families in 16 displacement sites across the Al Mawasi area,” Haq noted.
Humanitarian partners warn that far greater volumes of shelter materials must be allowed into Gaza urgently. They stress that this will require Israeli authorities to grant additional access for aid organizations—a step they say is critical to prevent further suffering as temperatures drop.
Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis continues to intensify, with aid groups emphasizing that the needs are outpacing available resources.
