The United Nations has expressed deep concern over ongoing restrictions and closures of border crossings that continue to hamper the delivery of essential supplies into the Gaza Strip. UN teams in Gaza have been collecting food and fuel from the Kerem Shalom crossing, but all other crossings remain closed for cargo, limiting humanitarian and private sector efforts.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported a decline in the volume of supplies brought in last month, with less than 42,000 pallets entering Gaza, down from about 46,600 in May. Despite approvals in principle, only 42% of supplies from Egypt and 65% from Ashdod port were offloaded at Kerem Shalom last week. This aid flow is managed under the UN 2720 Mechanism, authorized by Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023), which aims to accelerate aid into the enclave.

Child rights agency UNICEF emphasized the urgent need for proper nutrition, healthcare, and protection for children in Gaza after more than 1,000 days of war. Reports indicate that over 60,000 children have been killed or injured, with a child killed on average every day for more than eight months despite the October ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the UN aid coordination office OCHA reported that Israeli forces shot and killed a 16-year-old in the West Bank on Sunday. Ajith Sunghay, Head of UN human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), condemned the deaths as "senseless" and emblematic of an occupying power showing disregard for the humanity and rights of Palestinians living under occupation.

These developments underscore the ongoing humanitarian challenges and the urgent need for unrestricted aid access and protection of civilians in the region.

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