UN warns Palestinian children are left increasingly unprotected as NGOs are pushed out of Gaza and the West Bank

The United Nations has warned that Palestinian children are becoming increasingly unprotected as humanitarian and rights groups are forced to scale back operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The warning comes amid what the UN describes as growing pressure on civil society organisations working in the Palestinian territories. The committee said the absence of these groups leaves children more vulnerable at a time of continuing conflict and restrictions.

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In a statement issued through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said many organisations have been labelled as terrorists by pro-Israel groups or politicians. It said tactics used to delegitimise them include military raids, travel bans, personal financial sanctions, threats of arrest, destruction of records and threats of secondary sanctions against partners. The committee said these measures are making it increasingly impossible for organisations to operate safely or to protect children and families seeking help.

The committee said child rights defenders have played a vital role for more than three decades, including in Israeli military courts and in documenting alleged grave violations against Palestinian children by Israeli forces. It warned that without these organisations, violations of children's rights risk continuing with impunity. The committee also urged the international community to hold Israeli authorities accountable for attacks against Palestinian human rights defenders and called on the authorities to lift restrictions on humanitarian individuals and groups.

The warning matters because aid access and legal advocacy are central to civilian protection in Gaza and the West Bank, where humanitarian needs remain acute. When local and international organisations are restricted, the ability to document abuses, deliver assistance and support families can be sharply reduced. The committee's statement suggests that pressure on these groups is not only a matter of organisational access, but also of whether children can obtain protection, representation and basic services.

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The statement also referred to a broader crackdown on humanitarian operations in Gaza since the ceasefire that began on 10 October, including the banning of Doctors Without Borders after it failed to provide a list of its Palestinian staff. The row said this has further reduced life-saving assistance in the enclave. It also noted that in February, 17 international organisations were affected, indicating that the pressure on aid work has been building over time rather than emerging as a single isolated measure.

What remains unclear is how far the restrictions will extend and whether there will be any change in policy from the Israeli authorities or in the response from international bodies. The committee's appeal puts the focus on accountability, access and the protection of child rights defenders. The next developments to watch are whether restrictions are eased, whether more organisations are forced to suspend work, and whether the international community takes any concrete action in response.

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