Gaza Humanitarian Response | Situation Report No. 8

29 Oct 2025

This daily report outlines UN and partners’ efforts and progress in scaling up the humanitarian response across the Gaza Strip under the ceasefire agreement that entered into effect on 10 October 2025. For all situation reports see here.

HIGHLIGHTS

Following sustained airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, some of which impacted also near humanitarian facilities, the Israeli forces resumed implementation of the ceasefire starting at 10:00 local time on 29 October.
A total of 15 Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) sites are now operational in the north, including eight established following the ceasefire.
As of 28 October, 39 WASH partners are operating at 1,885 water points, collectively delivering up to 17,000 m³ of water per day to residents, displaced populations, and shelters. CMWU deployed 17 water distribution trucks in Gaza city and north Gaza. These trucks are delivering approximately 700m³ of safe drinking water daily to affected communities.
On 28 October, UNOPS distributed 209,864 litres of fuel to partners, 180,364 litres in the south and 29,500 litres in the north, to support critical WASH, health, food security, logistics, rubble removal, telecommunications, education and protection operations.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Following sustained airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, some of which impacted near humanitarian facilities, the Israeli forces resumed implementation of the ceasefire starting at 10:00 local time on 29 October.

Humanitarian partners visited two displacement sites hit by helicopter strikes in Deir al Balah, in which at least six people, including three children, were killed and ten others injured. Overall, 18 families, comprising approximately 145 people, were displaced and in need of emergency shelter. The sites sustained significant damage, including the destruction of several tents, tarpaulins, latrines, and water tanks. Two other sites impacted by airstrikes in Khan Younis were also assessed in which 11 people were killed, including children. Eighteen tents were destroyed alongside all belongings.

The latest WFP Market Monitoring Analysis reveals that, as of the second week of October, prices of most food items had decreased compared to September and the first week of October but remained higher than during the previous ceasefire in February 2025 and pre-conflict levels, particularly for freshly produced and key staple commodities such as rice and pulses. While fuel and cooking gas trucks entered the Gaza Strip on 12 October for the first time since the January ceasefire agreement, over 60 per cent of the population are currently relying on waste burning as a substitute for cooking gas. Restoring regular gas supplies remains an urgent priority to prevent serious health risks.

UNITED NATIONS-COORDINATED HUMANITARIAN AID ENTRY^*

UN and partner truck offloads and collections - 28 October

According to preliminary information by the Logistics Cluster, on 28 October, a total of 143 UN and partner trucks were offloaded at the Kerem Shalom crossing, with over 60 per cent of all offloaded trucks carrying food assistance.

On the same day, at least 148 United Nations-coordinated trucks with 2,021 pallets of aid were uplifted from the crossing for distribution inside the Strip. These contained inter alia 826 pallets of ready-to-eat rations, 238 pallets of bulk and canned vegetables, 235 pallets of food servings, 283 pallets of tarps, 57 pallets of health supplies, and 23 pallets of hygiene kits, alongside 204,000 litres of fuel.

Seven trucks carrying mainly ready-to-eat rations were intercepted and offloaded by crowds on the route.

Though comprehensive data for aid cargo collection on 29 October is not available yet, at least 14 trucks with 239 pallets of tarps, winter clothes and hygiene kits and four trucks with 174 pallets of menstrual hygiene management kits were collected from Kerem Shalom, alongside five fuel trucks with over 226,000 liters of diesel. A food aid collection mission also took place, with part of the cargo looted. While all cargo collection missions were facilitated, an attempt to conduct an assessment of the European Gaza Hospital was denied.

For the third consecutive day, humanitarian partners had to limit aid cargo collections due to high congestion of both humanitarian and commercial trucks on the narrow Coastal Road.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

Food Security

As of 27 October, approximately 130,000 2-kg bundles of bread are being produced daily by 15 UN-supported bakeries across the Gaza Strip -100,000 bundles from nine bakeries in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis, and 30,000 bundles from six bakeries in Gaza city since 23 October. Bread is distributed either for free at over 400 community kitchens, shelters, and community sites, or sold at a subsidized price of 3 NIS per bundle through a growing network of contracted retailers.
The number of contracted retailers increased from 22 to 43 shops to expand coverage and support market resumption.
Since the resumption of general food assistance on 13 October, distributions have reached more than 110,000 households (an estimated 550,000 people) through 43 distribution points, including ten in the north.
As of 28 October, 1,047,000 cooked meals are being prepared and delivered daily by 21 Food Security Sector partners through 173 kitchens in the south and central areas. Additional food commodities are being dispatched to the north to support the reopening of more kitchens and expanding meal production capacity.

Nutrition

A total of 15 Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) sites are now operational in the north, including eight newly established following the ceasefire.
Nutrition partners are actively collaborating, including with actors outside the cluster, to monitor unsolicited distributions of infant formula.
A two-day training on infant and young child feeding was conducted for 20 community promoters from the Saudi Center.

Health

On 29 October, 32 patients in need of urgent care, were evacuated to the Netherlands, Romania, and the United Arab Emirates

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

As of 28 October, 39 partners are operating at 1,885 water points, collectively delivering up to 17,000 m³ of water per day to residents, displaced populations, and shelters.
CMWU has deployed 17 water distribution trucks in Gaza City and north Gaza. These trucks are delivering approximately 700m³ of safe drinking water daily to affected communities.
1,440 handwashing stations are being installed across shelters, child-friendly spaces, and temporary learning spaces (TLSs) to promote hygiene and reduce the spread of WASH-related diseases.
Over 1 million baby diapers and large quantities of sanitary pads have been distributed since the start of the ceasefire. Hygiene kits tailored for people with disabilities are also being distributed.
Assessments are being conducted in south and north Gaza using Site Management Cluster lists to identify underserved locations and guide partner mobilization.
To support sanitation needs in makeshift sites, one partner received 1,000 slabs for pour-flush latrines, contributing to the overall target of 10,000 latrines under the ceasefire response plan.

Protection

During the past 48 hours, protection partners reached over 1,000 individuals across Gaza through multi-sectoral interventions, including GBV, child protection, and MHPSS services. These efforts included Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions for 362 children, menstrual hygiene kit distribution for 130 women and girls, and psychosocial support activities for 300 children and 270 caregivers. Additionally, 225 individuals received direct protection assistance, alongside broader awareness-raising initiatives.
In north Gaza, partners reported the resumption of activities in Al Dahdouh and Mughrabi neighbourhoods, while assessments are underway to establish new protection and MHPSS service points at Al Yarmouk camp and reopen offices in Al Mina neighborhood.
Protection monitoring continues to highlight severe access constraints, staff fatigue, and operational instability due to ongoing displacement. At least 60 humanitarian staff and their family members were identified as requiring urgent winterization support.
• Child Protection:
- UNICEF supported the setup of child-friendly spaces and safe spaces across Gaza by distributing 30 large tents (72 m² each) to 15 child protection partners.
- Over 550 children – including separated and unaccompanied children, children with disabilities, and their caregivers – were referred for shelter support and family tent assistance due to urgent protection concerns and lack of safe housing.
- In preparation for winterization, partners are mobilized to distribute over 100,000 clothing kits to vulnerable children.

Site Management

Site Management Cluster continues to oversee reception and count points across displacement corridors, which remain active and fully operational. On 28 October, approximately 11,000 displacement movements were recorded. Since 10 October, cumulative tracking has identified over 502,000 movements from south to north of Gaza Strip, alongside 106,000 movements from west to east of Khan Younis. While north to south movements remain limited, site focal points report a growing trend of returns to the south, driven by heightened risks in northern areas and restricted access to humanitarian services.

Shelter

On 28 October, one partner received a shipment of core relief items, including 80 pallets of tarpaulins, 46 pallets of blankets, 193 pallets of winter clothing, and 32 pallets of high-performance tents.
In Khan Younis, 250 tents were distributed to newly displaced households; 1,475 kits -including tarpaulins, thermal blankets, jerrycans, and hygiene items were delivered across three sites; and 40 protection referral cases across Gaza received tents.
Site lists are being consolidated for de-duplication, and mapping is underway to support an area-based response aligned with expanding material availability and operational capacity.

Education

As of 28 October, three new TLSs re-opened in Gaza city, enrolling 833 children. An additional 13 sites have been identified for the establishment of new learning spaces. A limited number of high-performance tents, already available in partner warehouses in Gaza, will be prioritised for these sites to facilitate safe and immediate access to learning for returning children. Learning spaces will be utilized as key entry points for the delivery of complementary services.
In response to the acute shortage of classroom furniture and the onset of colder weather, the Education Cluster is mobilizing alternative materials for repurposing. On 28 October, 75 pallets were received from a UN agency and will be recycled into desks and seating for TLSs.

Emergency Telecommunications

In collaboration with UNRWA, work is underway to re-establish the VHF network to cover Jabalia and surrounding areas. Testing is ongoing at Khan Younis Training Centre in preparation for the establishment of a new communications station in Rafah.

Multi-Purpose Cash Assistance

Between the announcement of the ceasefire and 29 October, over 37,300 families have been reached with MPCA, marking a significant scale-up compared to the 10,000-15,000 families reached in previous months.

Fuel

On 28 October, UNOPS distributed 209,864 litres of fuel to partners, of which 180,364 was in the south and 29,500 in the north, to support critical WASH, health, food security, logistics, rubble removal, telecommunications, education and protection operations.

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