Beyza Binnur Donmez
19 March 2026•Update: 19 March 2026
GENEVA
UN experts on Thursday warned that Israel's restrictions on humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank are worsening the crisis for women and girls, who are facing disproportionate harm.
"Women and girls are bearing a disproportionate share of deprivation as access to food, healthcare, shelter, water, and sanitation continues to collapse," the experts said in a statement.
They said Israel’s tightening of restrictions on humanitarian organizations has "deepened an already catastrophic situation," with vulnerable groups most affected.
The collapse of Gaza’s health care system has placed women’s lives at immediate risk, they stressed, particularly due to disruptions in maternal and reproductive health services.
"Denying access to maternal and reproductive healthcare in these conditions puts lives at direct risk," the experts warned, highlighting risks for pregnant women and those in vulnerable situations.
They also pointed to worsening conditions for girls, who face increased exposure to hunger, disease, and interrupted education.
"When humanitarian aid is blocked, girls are more likely to suffer from hunger, illness and interrupted education," they said.
UN experts added that the lack of basic services and protection is exposing women and girls to greater risks of violence and long-term harm, saying they are forced to compensate for the resulting shortfalls through increased unpaid care work and harmful coping strategies, "often at the expense of their own health and well-being."
"Gender-sensitive humanitarian assistance is not discretionary," the experts said. "By obstructing access to aid, Israel is denying women and girls protection and support they are entitled to under international law."
