Palestine Situation Report - April 2025

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate at an alarming pace. Since the breakdown of the ceasefire, and after more than 70 days of a total blockade on aid, and systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure, survival is becoming impossible, especially for women, girls, and newborns.

Desperation is rising, and time is running out to avert potential famine. Food insecurity is driving a surge in pregnancy complications, underweight births, and having catastrophic impacts on mother and newborns’ health. 11,000 pregnant women are in IPC Phase 5 (catastrophe). Nearly 17,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women will require treatment for acute malnutrition over the next 11 months.

Only seven hospitals and four field hospitals continue to provide obstetric and newborn care, however, none of them are fully functional. The few remaining facilities offering maternal healthcare are overstretched and facing acute shortages of essential supplies, while life-saving medicines remain stuck at borders. UNFPA has had more than 190 trucks stuck at border crossings for over 10 weeks, loaded with desperately needed supplies for Gaza.

Gender-based violence is on the rise. Repeated displacement, unsafe conditions, and the breakdown of social protection have left women and girls increasingly exposed to intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, and child marriage. Three women and girls’ safe spaces, providing shelter and services shut down, while the remaining 14 are operating at limited capacity.

In April, UNFPA remained on the ground, reaching over 50,000 people with essential sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and youth-focused services across Palestine. However, support is being hindered by lack of access to Gaza as well as funding shortages. As of May, UNFPA still requires $78.2 million to support operational response in Palestine for 2025.