“It was my home, my source of income. It used to serve everyone: the rich and the poor.” That’s how Musa remembers #Firas_Market, once one of #Gaza City’s iconic marketplaces. Then came the war. As solid waste collection collapsed and the market was destroyed, the site became a dumping ground. With support from Germany, the occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund (oPt HF), the European Union through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), and Belgium, @UNDP and partners have removed over 365,000 square metres (226,000 tonnes) of solid waste from the market. But these gains remain fragile. Sustained access to heavy machinery and equipment, alongside the conditions needed to safely remove remaining rubble and waste, is critical to bring Firas Market back into use and help restore livelihoods and economic activity in the heart of Gaza City.

Air quality is an essential part of community health and environmental safety. By monitoring and measuring it, data can be transformed into knowledge that helps communities and policymakers understand environmental challenges and take more sustainable steps. To contribute to this effort, young men and women are leading a voluntary initiative to establish Palestine’s first comprehensive community-based air quality monitoring network, AirAware, supported by @UNDP through the @GEF_SGP , in partnership with the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority and the Seeds for Development and Culture Association. The network includes sensors distributed across #Nablus, #Tulkarem, and #Jenin governorates, collecting real-time air-quality data from different locations, which will be made accessible to communities through a dedicated website and mobile application currently under development. By making air-quality information more accessible, the initiative seeks to enhance awareness of air quality, empower communities to understand their environmental reality, and contribute to environmental protection.

Strengthening Palestinian businesses means working beyond individual enterprises—on the institutions, standards and market connections they need to compete and grow. Through its Economic Resilience Programme (MASARAT), @UNDP is working with Palestinian institutions and the private sector to strengthen the systems that enable Palestinian businesses to compete and reach new markets. The Palestine Standards Institution’s (PSI) recognition by Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) for Halal certificates issued in Palestine marks important progress—creating a more streamlined pathway to the Malaysian market and opportunities for wider market access. This progress also contributes to broader efforts to connect Palestinian MSMEs with regional and global markets, including through the OIC Single Market Initiative and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Palestine. By strengthening institutions alongside businesses, UNDP is helping address barriers to trade and create a more enabling environment for Palestinian products to reach new markets. Congratulations to PSI on this important achievement, and appreciation to the Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Industry, the Representative Office of Switzerland in the oPt and the Government of the Netherlands for their partnership and support.

The Republic of #Korea and @UNDP are launching R.E.V.I.V.E II in #Gaza, building on the results and experience of the first phase to advance transitional shelter, essential services and integrated neighbourhood-level recovery. The new phase reflects the Republic of Korea’s continued and valued partnership with UNDP and its commitment to supporting the Palestinian people from immediate response through early recovery. R.E.V.I.V.E II will also contribute to UNDP’s broader Gaza Neighbourhood Programme, helping create the conditions for Palestinians to remain on or return to their communities in greater safety and dignity. 🔗 More: bit.ly/4rsCn4p

In #Tulkarem, the pressures facing communities across the #WestBank are visible in people’s daily lives. During his visit, @UNDP Special Representative of the Administrator @jaco_cilliers met with Palestinian communities, local authorities, academia and partners, and saw first-hand how UNDP is working alongside them to respond to these pressures and support communities in moving forward. 📽️ Watch his reflections from the field.

One million tonnes is a milestone. But in #Gaza, it also puts the scale of what remains into perspective. @UNDP is working alongside the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, through the Debris Management Working Group, to advance coordinated debris removal across Gaza. With support from Japan, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the European Union and Germany through KfW, this work is helping reopen access to neighbourhoods, homes and essential services. The scale ahead is immense. Sustaining and expanding debris removal is critical to creating the conditions for early recovery.

Across #Gaza, damaged infrastructure and accumulated debris continue to restrict access to education. As the new school year begins, @UNDP is clearing rubble and reopening routes to help students and teachers safely access schools, universities and learning spaces. With support from the Governments of Norway 🇳🇴, the Republic of Korea 🇰🇷 and Japan 🇯🇵, UNDP has: ➡️ Removed rubble from 20 schools, 4 universities and 19 educational points, helping restore access to learning spaces across Gaza. ➡️ Cleared 50 km of roads leading to schools and other educational facilities. Clearing rubble is about more than removing the aftermath of destruction. Every school, university and road made accessible again helps keep education going, restores hope, and creates the conditions for early recovery.

Following the tragic building collapse in Gaza City, UNDP deployed available machinery and workers to support rescue efforts. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and families still awaiting news of those trapped under the rubble. This tragedy highlights a wider risk. With the rainy season ahead, 330,000 families need dignified shelter, while already damaged structures face additional pressures. Responding when lives are at immediate risk is essential. But we must also act before the next emergency. Sustained access to heavy machinery, specialized equipment, fuel, oil, construction materials and transitional shelters is critical to address unsafe structures, manage debris and provide safer alternatives for families.

With 95% of higher education campuses in #Gaza damaged or destroyed during the war, restoring access to higher education is critical to Gaza’s future. Clearing rubble and reopening access to universities enables students to continue learning, restores hope, and helps preserve the knowledge and skills that will be essential for early recovery and longer-term reconstruction. From Al-Aqsa University, listen to UNDP/PAPP Special Representative Jaco Cilliers as he explains how @UNDP’s rubble removal efforts are helping clear the way for students to return to their universities and continue their education.

Last week, @UNDP in partnership with the High Judicial Council through the joint "Sawasya" programme, celebrated the launch of the third version of the "Mizan" system to promote digital transformation for justice in Palestine. This is the new generation of the judicial work management system and electronic justice services, in the presence of H.E Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa. Through this journey, the "Mizan 3" system has transitioned from an electronic case management tool into a more comprehensive digital platform that serves courts, justice institutions, professionals, and citizens alike. It has contributed so far to processing more than 3 million cases, digitizing about 35 million documents, and reaching services to more than 100,000 male and female citizens. Around 7,000 justice personnel rely on it daily. The launch of "Mizan 3" comes as an extension of efforts to develop the judicial work system and elevate the efficiency of judicial performance, which contributes to speeding up procedures, improving case and information management, enhancing connectivity among justice institutions, expanding the scope of electronic services provided to citizens and lawyers, and facilitating citizens' access to justice. 🔗 More: bit.ly/4xmixcB

In #Gaza, with over 90% of businesses in trade and industry damaged or destroyed, protecting jobs and productive capacity is critical to economic recovery. With 🇳🇴 #Norway support, @UNDP has supported 459 workers across 229 factories and productive facilities, helping sustain livelihoods and local production. Supporting workers and local businesses today is an investment in Gaza’s recovery.

As we age, safe spaces are essential for dignity and independence. With support from #Germany (KfW), @UNDP is continuing construction on a new care home in #Tulkarem, with Bait Al Ajdad Association to expand capacity and support older persons.

Across #Gaza, bakeries are restarting despite severe damage, restoring access to bread, supporting jobs and food production.   With the Ministries of Industry and National Economy, and funding from Germany through KfW, @UNDP is helping local businesses rebuild.    But recovery remains fragile - reliable access to ingredients, water, energy, equipment and fuel is essential to sustain operations.   More: bit.ly/4cy67qB

As #Gaza’s academic year begins amid immense challenges, restoring access to education is an important part of early recovery. @UNDP, with the @PalestineMoE, has established 110 learning spaces across 11 school sites,helping students resume learning and supporting the second round of in-person Tawjihi exams. Thanks to the support of @EAA_Foundation through @qatar_fund.

In #Gaza, @UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, is helping families remain on or return to their land through an integrated neighbourhood approach combining shelter, essential services, education and livelihoods. With 🇩🇪 🇰🇷 🇸🇪 support, RHUs across 20 sites provide shelter, health and learning spaces, while supporting farmers to resume food production. Ahead of winter, sustained access to shelter materials is critical to reach more families.

For Amna, a safe home means more than four walls. It means privacy, dignity and a little normality. Through #REVIVE, supported by @UNDP and @MOFAkr_eng 🇰🇷, her family received a Relief Housing Unit. Meet people rebuilding after crisis: revive.crisis.undp.org/

Around 700 patients with kidney failure in #Gaza require dialysis three times a week. With @pamapalestinian funding, @UNDP provided 20 new dialysis machines, helping improve access to treatment for around 350 patients.

For Kamla, protecting her children has become a daily struggle. After returning to the remains of their home in Gaza City, her seven-month-old daughter, Sawar, was bitten by a rat while sleeping, one consequence of deteriorating living conditions as waste and debris accumulate across Gaza. UNDP and partners are working to reduce these risks through solid waste management and pest-control efforts. But emergency measures alone are not enough. Gaza needs functioning solid waste systems and sustained pest-control efforts. Controlling rodents and other pests is critical to protecting public health, but it must go hand in hand with addressing the conditions in which they proliferate. Access to established dumpsites, essential equipment and predictable supplies is critical to managing waste, improving environmental conditions and creating safer, more dignified living conditions. 🔗 Read Kamla’s story: bit.ly/4qxMN28