The Monthly Humanitarian Bulletin | October 2017

Mona and two of her seven children, in a poor household affected by electricity and water shortages. Rafah, Gaza Strip, October 2017. © Photo by OXFAM
Mona and two of her seven children, in a poor household affected by electricity and water shortages. Rafah, Gaza Strip, October 2017. © Photo by OXFAM

The continuation of the electricity crisis and the lack of funding for WASH interventions have rendered 1.45 million people in the Gaza Strip at risk of contracting waterborne, diseases, including as a result of flooding. Despite the evacuation of settlers from privately-owned Palestinian land, which was taken over or officially seized for the establishment or expansion of settlements, the Palestinian owners continue to face severe restrictions in accessing their land. 171 Palestinians in four herding communities in the northern Jordan Valley are at risk of forcible transfer, following the approval of demolitions by the Israeli High Court of Justice. Despite the positive developments regarding the Fatah and Hamas reconciliation agreement, it has not led, so far, to the reversal of the measures that triggered the latest deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza.