HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 17 JULY 2024
MIDDLE EAST
The Chef de Cabinet, Courteney Rattray, delivered remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General at today’s Security Council meeting. He asserted that nothing can justify the horrific acts of terror committed by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel on 7 October – and nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
The Secretary-General noted the high death toll in Gaza, adding that almost two million people have been displaced – nearly the entire population of Gaza – and many of them multiple times. Nowhere in Gaza is safe, he said.
He also warned that recent developments are driving a stake through the heart of any prospect for a two-State solution. The geography of the occupied West Bank is steadily being altered through Israeli administrative and legal steps, he said.
The Chef de Cabinet also reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and his push for intensified efforts to increase humanitarian aid delivery. International support to these efforts is critical, particularly for the essential work of UNRWA, the Secretary-General added.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the Israeli military stopped all aid missions from going north of Wadi Gaza today. This means that humanitarian workers were unable to reach any of the hundreds of thousands of people in need. It also made it impossible for them to collect supplies from the northern entry point of Erez West.
OCHA has received multiple reports of military activity along the Israeli military road that separates north and south Gaza.
Meanwhile, OCHA has seen larger numbers of displaced people crossing from Gaza city into Deir al Balah governorate -- at least 450 people today, compared to just over 1,000 the week prior. Some of those new arrivals told aid workers that Israeli troops had shot at people trying to cross, forcing some of them to turn around.
OCHA has not been able to independently verify these reports. Civilians in Gaza must be protected -- and their essential needs must be met, wherever they are.
The head of UNRWA says that at least eight schools in Gaza have been hit in the last ten days. In a social media post, Philippe Lazzarini stressed that schools are not a target and must never be used for fighting or military purposes, by any party to the conflict.
UNRWA says that nearly 70 per cent of the agency’s schools have been hit since the war in Gaza began. Over 95 per cent of these schools were being used as shelters when they were hit. Almost 540 people sheltering in UNRWA facilities have been killed.
The World Food Programme says that it has been forced to further reduce rations in Gaza City to ensure broader coverage for people who have been newly displaced.
In July, WFP provided over 600,000 people in Gaza with food assistance and over 500,000 people with food parcels and wheat flour.
For its part, the World Health Organization says that as of today, just 15 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functional and just 1,500 of the usual 3,500 hospital beds in Gaza are available.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/MH17
On the 10th anniversary of the tragic downing of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, the Secretary-General recalls with sadness the 298 victims who lost their lives.
In full solidarity with the families of the victims and in honour of their memory, the Secretary-General renews his call on all States to extend their full cooperation pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2166 that was adopted in 2014, to ensure that those responsible are held to account, following the important work of the independent Joint Investigation Team.
UN/ARAB LEAGUE
High-level representatives from more than 40 UN and League of Arab States agencies, funds, and programmes are meeting in Geneva to discuss issues of common concern in the Arab region, including in the political, economic, and social spheres.
At the opening session today, Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia Pacific at the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, stressed the vital importance of multilateralism and international cooperation - in overcoming the wide range of challenges facing the world, and the Arab region in particular.
The meeting will continue until 19 July 2024.
HAITI
In Haiti, a report by UN Women shows that 300,000 displaced women and girls face alarming living conditions.
The agency’s Rapid Gender Assessment shows how makeshift camps lack basic human necessities and put women and girls particularly at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. The survey was conducted in the six most populated sites hosting displaced people in Port-au-Prince. It shows that most camps have no lighting or locks in essential areas like bedrooms and toilets. The constant danger of stray bullets and other security risks underscores the urgent need for improved protection in the camps.
UN Women says it is urgent to guarantee the active participation of women and girls in decision-making within camps and to put in place immediate protection measures for them, as they face risks to their security every day.
More information is available online.
LIBYA
The UN Mission in Libya congratulated the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) on completing the first phase of voter registration for 60 municipalities across Libya.
Despite challenging circumstances, 210,545 Libyan citizens have registered to vote in the forthcoming municipal elections.
The UN Mission commends people who registered to vote and demonstrated their commitment to choosing their local leaders. It encourages all registrants to verify the accuracy of their names and information.
UNSMIL also urges Libyan authorities to provide the necessary resources to facilitate the next steps in the municipal electoral process. And it encourages the Elections Commission and other Libyan institutions to persist in their efforts to encourage women's participation.
SOUTH SUDAN
The UN Mission in South Sudan – UNMISS - released its latest quarterly human rights report, which shows that attacks against civilians - driven primarily by subnational armed violence involving community-based militias and/or civil defense groups—persists.
Between January and March, the Mission documented 240 incidents of violence impacting 913 civilians nationwide. These incidents range between killing, injuring, abduction and conflict-related sexual violence. This represents a 24 percent increase in the number of violent incidents compared to the same period in 2023.
Nicholas Haysom, the Head of UNMISS, called for collective action by authorities and communities to resolve longstanding grievances, and stressed that respect for human rights is fundamental for building sustained peace.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) says that Vivian Van de Perre, who is the Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations, was in the Ituri province from Monday until today. She travelled to Drodro, in Djugu territory, as well as to Komanda and Idohu in Irumu territory.
During her visit, Ms. Van de Perre held meetings with provincial authorities, the provincial security council, women, young people, community leaders and representatives of civil society.
They discussed the overall security situation and the Mission's protection of civilian efforts in the region.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Fiji has paid its dues to the regular budget in full. This has taken the UN to 122 fully paid-up Member States.
PRESS ENCOUNTERS TODAY
At 1p.m., Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, will be briefing reporters.
At 2.45 p.m., Muhannad Hadi, the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, will brief reporters at the Security Council Stakeout.
GUEST TOMORROW
Tomorrow, Maryse Guimond, UN Women Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, will brief reporters from Jerusalem on the situation in Gaza.
