Oxfam in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

Oxfam has been working in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) since the 1950s, establishing a country office in the 1980s. Together with partner organisations we work with the most vulnerable communities in Gaza and the West Bank. Our joint efforts focus on improving livelihoods and advancing the rights of communities living under illegal occupation, prolonged suffering, deprivation and hardship.

Oxfam has been delivering life‑saving humanitarian aid and programmatic support to communities across the oPt for decades. We work to facilitate humanitarian access and the delivery of assistance in line with international humanitarian law. Oxfam, together with partner organisations, responds to the humanitarian crisis with programming in areas including vital water infrastructure and other repair and maintenance work; hygiene kit distribution; livelihoods and agricultural support; food security interventions, and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities. Our work also focuses on responding to needs around the protection of civilians, psycho-social support, and the rights of women.

Informed by partners and programmes, and founded on principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law, Oxfam advocates for accountability and an immediate end to the decades-long cycle of violence in the oPt as a result of the ongoing impunity afforded to Israel, which has fueled further human rights violations, war crimes and other violations of international law.

The international community has failed to ensure the equal rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people as guaranteed in the UN Charter Article 1(2). Israel, as the occupying power, must uphold its obligations under international law and allow unfettered access for humanitarian relief.

By working with coalitions to maintain pressure on key governments and international institutions, Oxfam demands that States work to ensure obligations under international humanitarian law are upheld and those violating held to account to ensure humanitarian operations can function without obstruction.

Impacts of Israel’s illegal occupation in the oPt 

In Gaza, the combined effects of Israel's illegal occupation of the oPt (including severe restrictions on the flow of vital aid and goods, and denial of freedom of movement) continue to deepen an already severe humanitarian catastrophe. Water scarcity is escalating, with some areas of Gaza City receiving as little as two litres of drinking water per person per day.

The overwhelming majority of Palestinians in Gaza continue to live in makeshift shelters or heavily damaged structures, facing severe shortages of food, drinking water, medical supplies, fuel, shelter materials, WASH items and cooking gas.

From October 2023 to June 2026, amidst Israel’s ongoing genocide on Gaza, over 72,000 Palestinians were killed, and more than 173,000 injured. 

Almost the entire population of Gaza - 2.1 million people - has been displaced, lacking access to sufficient shelter, food, life-saving medical services, clean water, education and livelihoods. In the West Bank, more than 30,000 Palestinian people have been forcibly displaced. 

At the same time, the destruction of civilian infrastructure has been catastrophic: 92 % of assessed commercial and industrial establishments have been destroyed or damaged. 74% of the road network has been destroyed, as well as 90% of energy infrastructure – including the electricity distribution network and associated assets. UN experts and human rights organizations have warned that companies supplying weapons or military support to Israel may risk complicity in serious violations of human rights.

In the West Bank, severe access constraints, closures and movement restrictions continue to intensify. New checkpoints and gate closures have further fragmented communities, limiting mobility for residents and humanitarian staff, yet despite the enormous challenges, Oxfam and partners continue to advance the response, sustaining coordination and scaling support where possible.

A surge in settler violence and intensified movement restrictions is further impacting on Palestinian communities. More Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military and settlers across the occupied West Bank in the last three years than in the previous 17 years combined.

Oxfam position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Civilians must be protected under international law, A sustainable and just peace for Palestinians and Israelis requires ending the military occupation, addressing root causes of the conflict, and ensuring accountability for all parties. Gaza requires an immediate full and permanent ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and urgent rehabilitation of basic services.

A permanent ceasefire in Gaza is imperative to help stop further loss of life, deliver required levels of humanitarian aid, avoid the total destruction of civic infrastructure like schools and hospitals, and cultural history. Without a permanent ceasefire, it is simply impossible for the international humanitarian system to work safely to distribute aid and help protect the lives of civilians.

The international community must advocate towards a long-term political solution beyond humanitarian relief. This should include the dismantling of Illegal settlements, cessation of their expansion in oPt and an end to Israel's illegal military occupation, the lifting of Israeli blockade and restrictions that hamper the Palestinian economy and the movement of people and goods, and support for Palestinian self-determination and access to international forums and legal mechanisms.

International efforts are needed now more than ever to facilitate a peace process that will lead to a viable, permanent status agreement ensuring equality, security, dignity, sovereignty, justice and prosperity, both for Palestinians and Israelis.

Oxfam in Israel

Following the introduction of new procedures for INGO registration and the recent Israeli High Court ruling dismissing an appeal challenging these procedures from 18 humanitarian organisations including Oxfam, Oxfam is no longer registered in Israel and annexed East Jerusalem.  We continue our operations and work with our local partners in the oPt on the basis of our registration with the Palestinian Authority.