DaysofPal- More than 33,000 Palestinian refugees in the West Bank have spent both Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr away from their homes for the second consecutive year, facing harsh humanitarian conditions and rising settler violence across the territory, according to UNRWA.
Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, said in a press statement that the escalation of settler attacks without accountability has led to deadly consequences and accelerated the forced displacement of Palestinian communities, particularly in Area C, where large numbers of refugees reside.
Friedrich explained that thousands of refugees marked the religious season away from their homes in camps such as Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams. Strict movement restrictions prevented many from visiting relatives or performing religious rituals at holy sites.
Despite these challenges, UNRWA, with support from its partners, continued to deliver humanitarian assistance. During Ramadan, the agency expanded its aid programs to reach thousands of the most vulnerable families through cash assistance and food support in coordination with humanitarian partners.
Over 5,400 families below the poverty line received social safety net payments to meet their basic needs, according to the organization. In addition, over 7,900 displaced families from the camps of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams received emergency assistance to cope with ongoing displacement.
Friedrich also noted that more than 5,400 workers from Gaza, along with patients and their companions stranded in the West Bank, received multi-purpose cash assistance to help cover housing, food, transportation, and healthcare expenses.
The situation unfolds in the context of the genocide in the Gaza Strip that began on October 7, 2023, and has continued for two years. During this period, Israel has intensified measures aimed at consolidating control over the West Bank, including the demolition of Palestinian homes, forced displacement, and the expansion of settlements, drawing condemnation from Arab and international actors.
According to Palestinian reports, the number of settlers in the West Bank reached approximately 770,000 by the end of 2024, distributed across more than 180 settlements and 256 outposts.
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