Israel & Palestine

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been calamitous for women and girls, with widespread destruction of infrastructure, 90 percent of the Gazan population displaced, severe shortages of basic necessities, and the decimation of maternal care. While women-led organizations in Gaza serve as key humanitarian responders, they remain under-resourced and under-recognized. The conflict has been one of the deadliest for journalists on record—including women journalists—further silencing key voices that document the suffering of women and girls. Women’s inclusion in government and formal negotiation processes remains limited, despite Israeli and Palestinian recognition of women’s importance to peace and security. In Israel, women make up only six of 32 ministers in the government, and their representation in the Knesset has declined amidst growing gender backlash and democratic backsliding. However, women continue to lead vital initiatives to advocate for peace through civil society organizations. Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun, which bring together Israeli and Palestinian women to advance peacebuilding, were nominated for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, while women in Israel have continued to lead grassroots movements protesting the deaths of Gazans and calling for an end to the war. 

Women and girls in Gaza are at imminent risk of death, with famine anticipated to spread in the coming months absent immediate intervention. Following the March 2025 collapse of a prior Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Israel threatened to reoccupy Gaza and is reportedly considering annexation of the West Bank, which would likely worsen the conflict and risk regional escalation. Women and girls in the West Bank and East Jerusalem face worsening violence by Israeli settlers, arbitrary arrests, and displacement, with reports of sexual harassment and violence at checkpoints and during detention. Given the scale of catastrophe, pressure to end the war in Gaza is mounting. More countries are recognizing a Palestinian state and demanding accountability for alleged war crimes in Gaza, while protestors in Israel are calling for an end to fighting and a deal to release remaining hostages. Sustained international support for women’s protection and participation remains essential, including efforts to recognize and amplify women’s leadership in negotiation, peacebuilding, and recovery.

The civilian death toll in Gaza continues to climb, with Israeli attacks killing or injuring hundreds of Palestinians—including women and children—in the months since the ceasefire went into effect. Despite US President Donald Trump claiming the war is over, the ceasefire remains fragile. Ambiguity surrounding implementation, Hamas’ refusal to disarm, continued Israeli military operations and the exclusion of Palestinians from negotiations have stalled meaningful progress. Prolonged instability delays women and girls’ access to essential services, including healthcare and education, and heightens the threat of renewed large-scale conflict. The potential for conflict between the US and Iran may also impact the political and security landscape, potentially marginalizing Gaza on the international stage and, providing an opportunity for Israel to tighten control while global attention is focused elsewhere.

Palestinians were notably absent from the first meeting of President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace,’ despite Gaza being the central agenda item. Although Palestinians have been appointed to the 15-member technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza that is tasked with managing day-to-day affairs under the Board’s oversight, the body includes only one woman—Hana al-Tarazi, who will hold the social affairs portfolio. This limited representation stands in stark contrast to the essential role women and women-led organizations have played in delivering and sustaining humanitarian assistance during the war. Women’s participation is critical for the legitimacy, accountability, and long-term sustainability of any peace and reconstruction process.

New reporting highlights the acute vulnerabilities facing the nearly one in seven households in Gaza that are headed by women. Amid ongoing famine conditions, displacement, and collapse of basic services, women-headed households face heightened barriers to accessing food, water, and other essentials due to limited livelihood opportunities. As sole providers, many women are forced to rely on informal support networks or adopt harmful coping mechanisms to sustain their families. Economic challenges have intensified during Ramadan, with reports indicating that the cost of food for iftar has doubled since 2023, further straining the already-limited purchasing power of women-led households.

Less than half of the anticipated crossings have occurred since the Rafah border crossing with Egypt reopened on February 2, 2026. After being closed for more than two years, Rafah’s reopening initially signaled potential relief for thousands of Palestinians—including women and girls—seeking urgent medical care or reunification with family members. Three Palestinian women allowed to return to Gaza in February 2026 reported being subjected to interrogation and humiliation at the crossing, while others claim they were offered financial incentives dissuading them reentering the territory—reinforcing fears that Israel plans to allow more departures from Gaza than returns. Such restrictions risk deepening family separation, limiting access to care, and compounding gendered protection risks.

In the latest escalation of Israel’s de-facto annexation of the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved a plan to claim parts of Area C as “state property” if Palestinians cannot prove land ownership. After decades under occupation marked by repeated forced displacement, refusal of building permits, and demolition of infrastructure, many Palestinians are no longer in possession of required documents. The move has been condemned as a violation of international law and, if enacted, threatens to displace thousands of women and girls, heightening their risk of gender-based violence and further limiting access to essential services including healthcare and education.

As schools and universities have begun welcoming students back in person for the first time in nearly two years, a network of free private schools for displaced and orphaned children is embedding peace into the curriculum. The schools incorporate lessons around peace-building, tolerance, and respect for difference. In addition to education, the schools provide much-needed hot meals, medical care, and psychological support. Though girls face additional barriers to resuming their studies—including increased family care responsibilities—rebuilding the education system is a critical step in creating a future for Gaza’s youth and reducing girls’ risk of early and forced marriage.

Hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian mothers are set to walk barefoot through the streets of Rome on March 24, 2026, in a united call for the urgent inclusion of women, mothers and their communities in shaping a just and lasting peace. Led by Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace, Rome will be the first of a series of barefoot walks around the world, where mothers and allies will join in solidarity to demand a more peaceful future.