Bi-Weekly Press Briefing 04 July 2023
/
2:01
/
MP4
/
148.8 MB

Edited News | OCHA , WHO

Military operation in Jenin - OCHA, WHO

Aid agencies' deep concern at ongoing Israeli security operation in Jenin refugee camp

UN humanitarians expressed deep concern on Tuesday about the loss of lives and the scale and severity of injuries sustained by Palestinians amid the ongoing security operation in Jenin refugee camp in the Occupied West Bank, launched by Israeli forces on 3 July.

While aid partners have mobilized to assist, they called for a humanitarian corridor to reach injured and affected victims.

“We are alarmed at the scale of air and ground operations that are taking place in Jenin and continuing today in the West Bank, and especially on airstrikes hitting a densely populated refugee camp,” said Vanessa Huguenin, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “This is the second operation in Jenin involving airstrikes within two weeks.”

The OCHA official noted that the deaths of 10 Palestinians - including three children – had been confirmed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health on Tuesday morning. “At least 100 others have been injured, of whom 20 are reportedly in critical conditions,” Ms. Huguenin said.

She added: “The airstrikes also significantly damaged structures in which people were living both in the camp and in surrounding areas. Due to damage to infrastructure, most of the Jenin camp is currently without drinking water and the first initial estimation also indicates that most of the camp is also without electricity.”

OCHA’s reaction to the security operation followed remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose office issued a statement on Monday noting that he was “deeply concerned about the developments in Jenin” and “affirmed that all military operations must be conducted with full respect for international humanitarian law”.

The destruction of public infrastructure, including many of the roads in the refugee camp, has restricted access for medical teams and ambulances. OCHA reported that as of Monday afternoon, access to the refugee camp was mostly possible from one entrance where Israeli forces conduct checks on vehicles, including ambulances.

Health facilities have also reportedly sustained damage and health partners and have reported critical shortages of medical supplies.

“The extent of injuries places strains on the fragile and underfunded health system in Jenin,” said Christian Lindmeier, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO). “WHO is working with the health teams on the ground to support the activation of the Emergency Plan for the Jenin Hospital and the mobilization of pre-positioned trauma supplies.”

At least two hospitals have been affected by violence involving ammunition and gas canisters, said the WHO.

Mr. Lindmeier also recalled that attacks against health care, including prevention of access to persons injured, were extremely concerning.

“The ambulances and first responders have been prevented from entering parts of the refugee camp, including to reach persons who have been critically injured,” said the WHO spokesperson. “There is currently no safe corridor for humanitarian access, which is a key focus of ongoing UN negotiations and the Ministry of Health has shared a list of urgently needed medical supplies, which is being reviewed by WHO and health partners.”

According to WHO, Jenin refugee camp has been the target of intensifying and recurring security operations by Israeli forces over the past two years.

The ongoing intervention in Jenin is the largest Israeli military operation on the refugee camp since 2002. Those injured are being treated at three main hospitals: Khalil Sleiman Hospital, Ibn Sina Hospital and Al Razi Hospital.

WHO data shows that there has been a significant increase in attacks on health care in 2023, particularly in the West Bank; from January to May, the UN health agency documented at least 124 attacks on health care, resulting in 39 healthworker injuries and 117 ambulances affected.

-ends-

  1. Exterior medium shot: UN Palais with flags
  2. Wide shot: speaker and moderator behind podium at the press conference, screens with speakers
  3. SOUNDBITE (English) – Vanessa Huguenin, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “We are alarmed at the scale of air and ground operations that are taking place in Jenin and continuing today in the West Bank, and especially on airstrikes hitting a densely populated refugee camp. This is the second operation in Jenin involving air strikes within two weeks.”
  4. Close shot: cameraperson filming the speaker behind podium
  5. SOUNDBITE (English) – Vanessa Huguenin, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “As of this morning, the Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the deaths of ten Palestinians, including three children. At least one hundred others have been injured, of whom twenty are reportedly in critical conditions.”
  6. Wide shot: speaker and moderator behind podium, screen with speakers
  7. SOUNDBITE (English) – Vanessa Huguenin, Spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “The airstrikes also significantly damaged structures in which people were living both in the camp and in surrounding areas. Due to damage to infrastructure, most of the Jenin camp is currently without drinking water and the first initial estimation indicates that most of the camp is also without electricity.”
  8. Close shot: speaker in the foreground, screen with speakers in the background
  9. SOUNDBITE (English) – Christian Lindmeier, Spokesperson for the World Health Organisation (WHO): “The extent of injuries places strains on the fragile and underfunded health system in Jenin. WHO is working with the health teams on the ground to support the activation of the Emergency Plan for the Jenin Hospital and the mobilization of pre-positioned trauma supplies.”
  10. Medium shot: camera in the foreground, speakers and attendees in the background
  11. SOUNDBITE (English) – Christian Lindmeier, Spokesperson for the World Health Organisation (WHO): “The ambulances and first respondents have been prevented from entering parts of the refugee camp, including to reach persons who have been critically injured. There is currently no safe corridor for humanitarian access, which is a key focus of ongoing UN negotiations. And the Ministry of Health has shared a list of urgently needed medical supplies, which is being reviewed by WHO and health partners.”
  12. Wide shot: speakers in the foreground, moderator’s laptop in the foreground
  13. Close shot: attendees taking notes
  14. Medium shot: attendees taking notes

Similar Stories

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO ENG FRA

Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians

Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025

1

1

1

Edited News

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025 ENG FRA

Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end”

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end” ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC ENG FRA

Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital 

UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

2

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire

UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO ENG FRA

The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Report: Civilian detainees subjected to troubling patterns of torture and ill treatment since Russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine ENG FRA

A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022. 

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , UNICEF

Sudan cholera update WHO - UNICEF ENG FRA

Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur

Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025

2

1

2

Edited News , B-roll | UN WOMEN

Afghanistan earthquake response – UN Women 19 September 2025 ENG FRA

Women and girls still reeling from Afghanistan's recent deadly earthquake face even greater suffering rebuilding their lives and livelihoods without much more help from the international community, UN Women said on Friday.

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN report: Sudan crisis deepens amid rising civilian casualties - UN Human rights spokesperson Jeremy Laurence and OHCHR Sudan Representative Li Fung ENG FRA

Rising civilian casualties, growing ethnic violence and the grim humanitarian situation in Sudan underscore how the crisis there is deepening, according to a UN Human rights report published today.

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNITED NATIONS

'Not a Target' UN Geneva Protest - 18 September 2025 ENG FRA

United Nations agencies staff demonstrates on Place des Nations in Geneva to denounce the killing of their colleagues in Gaza.