Gaza war spills into West Bank – 7 March 2025
The Gaza war is affecting the West Bank more than ever before, says the United Nations (UN).
Since the Gaza ceasefire came into force on 19 January, 40,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in the West Bank – the largest displacement in the area since 1967.
The West Bank is on the west bank of the River Jordan, with Israel to the north, west and south. Around three million Palestinian Arabs live there under the rule of the Palestinian Authority and Israeli military.
Many are left fearing they will never be able to return home because roads and buildings have been destroyed. Vital services such as healthcare, water and electricity are also cut off, says the UN.
Meanwhile, more than 5,000 children are missing out on an education, with some not being able to attend school for more than ten weeks.
“The West Bank is becoming a battlefield… This must end,” said the UN’s Philippe Lazzarini.
Mustafa Tamaizeh from the charity Oxfam says “urgent action” must be taken so that aid agencies are given access to Palestinians in need.
