Gaza Humanitarian Response | Situation Report No. 58

03 Jan 2026

As of 18:00 on 2 January 2026, unless otherwise noted

This report, issued daily from Monday to Saturday, outlines efforts and progress made by the UN and its partners to scale up humanitarian response across the Gaza Strip under the ceasefire that entered into effect on 10 October 2025. For all situation reports see here.

HIGHLIGHTS

Heavy rains have damaged and overwhelmed water infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, raising water levels in Wadi Gaza and Sheikh Radwan lagoon. To keep de-watering pumps operational, the humanitarian community is engaging with Israeli authorities to allow entry of specialized equipment.
January 2026 food assistance has seen rations adjusted to two parcels and two 25-kilogram flour bags per family, meeting 100 per cent of caloric needs for the first time since October 2023.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Israeli airstrikes, shelling and gunfire continued to be reported across several areas of the Gaza Strip between 30 December and 2 January with several casualties reported. Strikes reportedly struck several locations in North Gaza, Gaza city, Deir al Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, involving multiple airstrikes and ground fire.

Partners working in water, sanitation and hygiene say that heavy rains have affected damaged and unmaintained water-related infrastructure. For example, recent rains raised water levels in Wadi Gaza in Deir al Balah and Sheikh Radwan lagoon in Jabalya. In order to ensure the operation of de-watering pumps, the humanitarian community is engaging with the Israeli authorities to allow the entry of specialized equipment.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, as of 13:00 hrs on 1 January, five Palestinians were reported killed and eleven others injured across the Gaza Strip over the previous 48 hours.

UNITED NATIONS-COORDINATED AID ENTRY^*

Between 31 December and 2 January, according to preliminary data, at least, 2,101 pallets of ready-to-use complementary foods, hygiene kits, soap, diapers, winter clothing, blankets, mattresses, and baby kits, 93 metric tons (mt) of animal fodder entered the Gaza Strip.

Verified data on aid cargo offloads and collection between 30 December and 2 January are not available yet at the time of reporting.

The above data excludes bilateral donations and the commercial sector.

Between 30 December and 2 January, nine out of 24 humanitarian movements inside Gaza that required coordination with Israeli authorities were fully facilitated and completed. Six movements faced impediments—three were eventually completed, while the other three were only partially accomplished. In addition, three missions were cancelled, and six were outright denied.

Fuel shortages remain a critical challenge. Several organizations report relying on reserve fuel stocks to sustain essential operations, as the general fuel supply continues to be severely limited.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

The below are preliminary updates shared by Clusters at the time of reporting and will be reconciled and aggregated in the coming days as Clusters receive more data from the capillary network of partners active on the ground.

Food Security

The January 2026 monthly general food assistance has begun with an adjusted ration size of two food parcels and two 25-kg bags of flour per family, covering 100 per cent of the minimum caloric requirement. This marks the first time since October 2023 that partners have sufficient stock to meet this standard. Rations had been varying between 50 and 75 per cent of caloric needs since the October 2025 ceasefire. Partners continue working to mitigate food quality and safety risks associated with commodities entering under adverse weather, ensuring the widest possible reach of general food assistance.
As of 2 January, approximately 170,000 2-kilogram (kg) bread bundles are produced daily. The subsidized bread distribution network continues to expand, with the number of contracted retailers increasing from 118 shops in late 2025 to 148 as of 1 January 2026. About one-third of the bread is distributed free of charge to more than 400 shelters and community sites, while the remaining are sold through the 148 retailers at a subsidized price of 3 NIS (US$ 0.94) per bundle.

Protection

Gender-Based Violence
- On 31 December, partners addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) delivered multisectoral services across the Strip. These included 33 individual legal consultations and 180 hotline calls, providing support and guidance to survivors in need. Additionally, partners distributed 25 dignity kits and 824 menstrual hygiene management (MHM) kits to women and girls as part of the ongoing response to communities affected by flooding.
- On the same day, psychosocial support remained a core priority. Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions were provided to 20 women individually, while 80 women participated in group PFA sessions across safe spaces. Awareness and life skills sessions reached 1,173 participants, covering topics such as sexual exploitation, GBV prevention, and personal protection. Stress-relief activities engaged 150 women and girls, while handicraft and coffee circle activities offered emotional and social support to 38 participants within women and girls’ safe spaces.
- To strengthen community resilience, partners conducted four community engagement meetings aimed at raising awareness on GBV and reinforcing protection networks. In total, these activities reached 569 people across different governorates, contributing to improved safety, psychosocial well-being, and timely access to essential services for survivors.
Mine Action
- Between 30 and 31 December, Mine Action partners conducted five Explosive Hazard Assessment in Khan Younis and North Gaza in support of rubble removal efforts and partners activities.
- Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) continued across Gaza city, Deir al Balah and Khan Younis, reaching 11,256 people through four partners.

Education

Since the October ceasefire and as of 21 December, 16,678 students sat for the second cycle of the Tawjihi General Secondary Examination. This cycle was organized by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) for students from the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years who were unable to sit for the first cycle or who failed one or more subjects. The second cycle aimed to enable students to complete their secondary education requirements and pursue further educational pathways.
As part of ongoing efforts to expand access to education for school-aged children and establish Temporary Learning Spaces (TLSs), UNICEF conducted assessments at 15 sites in northern Gaza. Of these, 10 sites were recommended for use as TLSs. At the selected sites, a total of 43 classrooms will be established and housed in 10 high-performance tents.

* All figures solely refer to UN and partner assistance dispatched through the UN-coordinated system. They are preliminary and will be reconciled in the course of the ceasefire. Supplies entering through bilateral donations and the commercial sector are not reflected.