Israel UNRWA attack in Gaza and increased pressure on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) since early 2025. Israeli authorities banned UNRWA operations inside Israel and occupied Palestinian areas. They blocked international UNRWA staff from entering Gaza. They also stopped the agency’s aid distribution and closed UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. This decision affected nearly 800 children.

Demolition in East Jerusalem In January 2026, Israeli forces demolished several buildings at UNRWA’s headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. Officials then raised the Israeli flag on the site.

Situation During Ceasefire A fragile ceasefire has been in place since October 2025. However, UNRWA still reports repeated incidents in Gaza. Israeli fire indirectly hit a health center in Bureij and a school in Jabalia in March 2026. Although no large-scale attacks occurred in March–April 2026, UNRWA described its operations as heavily restricted.

An Al Jazeera opinion article published on April 5, 2026 claims that these actions against UNRWA form a central part of Israel’s strategy in Gaza. The piece directly links the restrictions to systematic harm against Palestinian civilians.

Israel accuses UNRWA of Hamas infiltration and says the agency misuses its facilities for military purposes. UNRWA and the United Nations strongly deny these charges. Independent reviews and an ICJ advisory opinion in October 2025 ruled that Israel’s restrictions violate international law.

Historical Israeli Operations in Gaza (2008–2025)

• 2008–2009 (Operation Cast Lead): Israeli forces launched a 22-day offensive. Palestinian deaths reached 1,385–1,419, most of them civilians. Israeli deaths stood at 13.

• 2012 (Operation Pillar of Defense): The 8-day operation caused 170–200 Palestinian deaths and 6 Israeli deaths.

• 2014 (Operation Protective Edge): This 50-day conflict killed around 2,100–2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis.

• 2021 (May Escalation): Eleven days of fighting resulted in approximately 260 Palestinian deaths and 13 Israeli deaths.

These numbers come from UN OCHA, Gaza Health Ministry, B’Tselem, and PCHR. Most Palestinian casualties were civilians.

Gaza War Casualty Figures (October 2023 – April 2026)

Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack killed about 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. The war continued until a US-backed ceasefire began in October 2025. Sporadic violence still occurs.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health (figures accepted by UN OCHA and UNRWA as of early April 2026):

• Total Palestinian deaths since Oct 7, 2023: 72,253 – 72,302
• Total injuries: 171,912 – 172,090
• Deaths after ceasefire (since Oct 11, 2025): 689 – 723
• Injuries after ceasefire: 1,860 – 1,990

Independent studies, including Lancet analyses, suggest the real death toll could be 15–35% higher when researchers include indirect deaths from starvation, disease, and destroyed healthcare.

Gaza Casualties Chart (Oct 2023 – Feb 2026)

Another view of cumulative deaths (with academic estimates overlaid for context):

Important Notes

• Gaza Health Ministry releases the main figures. Israel sometimes disputes them, but many Israeli officials accept their overall accuracy for direct deaths.

• Thousands of bodies likely remain under rubble.

• Total reported Israeli deaths in the war: around 2,039.

The situation on the ground remains tense. Low-level violence continues even during the ceasefire. For the latest updates, always check official UN OCHA and UNRWA reports.