Today’s top news: Lebanon, Yemen, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine

#Lebanon

Hostilities damage, destroy civilian infrastructure in southern areas

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that hostilities continue to cause further destruction and damage to civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

In the municipality of Mansouri in South Governorate, a public school was largely destroyed overnight, following several days of intense demolition activity in the area, according to local authorities.

Last night, large explosions were reported at Ali al Taher Hill, south of Nabatieh city in Nabatieh Governorate, following the reported destruction of underground tunnels. The blasts were felt across parts of southern Lebanon and caused civilian harm and concern among communities already heavily affected by months of conflict, displacement and destruction.

Renewed fighting is also affecting people trying to return home. In El Nabatieh District, partners recorded nearly 29,000 people over the past week, a drop of 13 per cent. The decline may indicate that renewed insecurity is discouraging some families from returning, while others who had already returned may now flee again.

Although humanitarian access remains difficult, yesterday – for the first time since 29 July – a humanitarian convoy received clearance through the Humanitarian Notification System to reach border villages that have faced prolonged access constraints.*

Since 2 March, the system has facilitated 664 humanitarian movements, but active hostilities and physical barriers by the Israeli Defense Forces continue to restrict access.

OCHA reiterates the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Continued hostilities are preventing people from returning safely and sustainably.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Lebanon with urgent support.

#Yemen

Escalating violence displaces thousands of households

OCHA remains alarmed by the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen, as escalating violence takes a devastating toll on families who were already struggling.

Civilians continue to flee the fighting, with updated figures from humanitarian partners showing the scale of that displacement. After verifying data and receiving updated reports, they say that 18,000 households have been displaced since the start of the month – up from the 11,400 reported yesterday. People are reportedly moving towards the governorates of Ta’iz, Aden, Lahj and Abyan.

The UN and its humanitarian partners are working to respond, but access and funding constraints continue to pose severe challenges. Security incidents affecting humanitarian premises, supplies and movements are hindering aid operations. For example, partners working to mobilize rapid response efforts have 15,000 emergency kits ready to go, but cuts to roads mean the majority are stuck in Aden.

The Al Makha seaport sustained significant damage during the recent fighting, and operations there are suspended. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has reported disruptions at 17 front-line distribution points.

OCHA once again calls on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access so that urgently needed assistance can reach communities in need.

#Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN, partners bring fuel, medical aid into Gaza

OCHA says that yesterday, the UN and its partners brought into Gaza more than 350,000 litres of fuel and collected hundreds of pallets of supplies from Kerem Shalom crossing. This assistance included limited amounts of antibiotics and other medical supplies, breast pumps, medical equipment, winter clothes and school bags.

The teams also supported the medical evacuation of dozens of patients and their companions. In addition, humanitarian partners offered psychological first aid, emergency assistance and referral services to Palestinians who had previously been unable to return to Gaza.

Meanwhile, partners leading on displacement site management have been preparing for the coming winter. Last week, they reinforced shelters, improved drainage, maintained pathways, and carried out other small-scale preparations at displacement sites – despite limited capacity and lack of machinery. Partners are also collecting and distributing wooden pallets and empty flour sacks that can be filled with sand to reduce the potential impact of heavy rainfall, flooding and strong winds.

However, the International Organization for Migration has warned that shortages of some 8.6 million items required for the winter – including tarpaulins, mattresses, sandbags, plywood and repair tool kits – mean that more than 1.5 million people could go without winter assistance at current funding levels.

Across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, humanitarian efforts this year are less than 40 per cent funded.

Additional funding, specialized equipment, and the continued entry of essential materials are urgently needed to help families survive the cold and rainy season.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, more than 830,000 boys and girls returned to school this week.

Among them are more than 4,000 students who have been displaced from refugee camps in the northern West Bank and not allowed to return. Schooling is also affected by the closure of six UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem by the Israeli authorities.

In Area C, 10 schools that served more than 360 students remain abandoned as the communities they served have been displaced due to recurrent settler attacks and related access restrictions.

Meanwhile, 84 schools remain under pending demolition or stop-work orders, threatening the continued education of nearly 13,000 students.

#Ukraine

Dnipro region hardest hit by latest wave of deadly attacks

OCHA reports that civilians, including children, continue to be killed and injured in attacks and front-line hostilities in Ukraine. Homes, businesses and other civilian infrastructure also sustained damage across the country.

The Dnipro region was hardest hit, with at least seven people killed and more than 70 people injured, including nine children. Most casualties were reported in Pavlohrad, where a shopping mall in the city centre was struck during the busy evening yesterday.

The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, stressed that people should be able to go about their daily lives safely and expressed his deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

Elsewhere, attacks caused further casualties across the regions of Sumy, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson and Poltava.

The UN and its humanitarian partners are providing emergency shelter materials, psychosocial support and hot meals for people in need and first responders.

Partners are also registering families – including those with children – for humanitarian cash assistance as the response continues.