HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
WEDNESDAY, 19 MARCH 2025

SECRETARY-GENERAL/GAZA
In a statement was issued today, the Secretary-General said that he was deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the death of a United Nations Office for Project Services staff member, when two UN guesthouses in Deir al Balah were hit in strikes. Five other UN personnel were seriously injured.
The locations of all UN premises are known to the parties to the conflict, who are bound by international law to protect them and maintain their absolute inviolability.
The Secretary-General strongly condemns all attacks on UN personnel and calls for a full investigation. He underscores that all conflicts must be conducted in a way that ensures civilians are respected and protected.
The Secretary-General sends his deepest condolences to the family of the staff member killed.
Today’s deadly strike brings the number of UN colleagues killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023 to at least 280.
The incident follows reports from yesterday, which saw the deaths of hundreds, including many children, marking one of the deadliest days in Gaza since late 2023.
The Secretary-General stresses the need for the ceasefire to be respected to bring an end to the suffering of the people. Humanitarian aid must reach all people in need. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. 
He also recalls that international law must be complied with at all times.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that Israeli bombardments continue in the Gaza Strip, resulting in many more deaths – hundreds, according to the local authorities – as well as mass displacement and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.  Many of the casualties are women and children.  
This morning, evacuation leaflets were again dropped over Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun in North Gaza, as well as eastern Khan Younis, ordering residents to leave their homes.  
The UN and its partners estimate that, due to these evacuation orders, thousands of people have already been displaced. In southern Gaza, humanitarian partners report that families have fled from east to west Khan Younis, seeking shelter with relatives or in open areas. In Rafah, many displaced people have moved toward the Mawasi area and other areas along the coast.  
In the north, many fleeing Beit Hanoun have sought safety in public- and UNRWA-run schools in western Gaza city, while others have found temporary shelter in Beit Lahiya and other neighbourhoods in Gaza governorate. 
Urgent humanitarian needs include food, potable water, clothing and blankets. Reports indicate that some people risked returning to Beit Hanoun this morning to collect personal belongings.  
The closure of crossings into Gaza for humanitarian and all other supplies is now in its 18th day, severely disrupting relief operations and worsening an already catastrophic situation.  
UN partners working in food security report that distributions of food have been disrupted due to the deteriorating security situation and the proximity of distribution points to evacuation zones.
In addition, about 30 community kitchens providing cooked meals were forced to close yesterday. As of today, kitchens in east Khan Younis and North Gaza are still closed.  
Education has also been affected, with learning activities in 163 temporary learning spaces suspended, leaving thousands of students without access to education.  
And turning to the West Bank, OCHA warns that Israeli operations are expanding into new areas. This morning, Israeli forces raided Ein Beit el Ma refugee camp in Nablus, ordering five families to vacate their homes, which were turned into military zones. The families were instructed not to return for three days. Fearing an extended operation in the camp, about 45 additional families have preemptively fled.  

GAZA 
The Acting Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Virgina Gamba, and the Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Mô Bleeker, are gravely concerned by yesterday’s reports of extensive Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip.
The Special Advisers say that these developments signal a troubling and dramatic escalation of violence with irreversible consequences. It is essential that the mutual imperatives of the peace process, integrating aspects of prevention and protection are prioritized urgently. 
Ms. Gamba and Ms. Bleeker also expressed their deep concern at the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbatedby Israel’s decision on 2 March to suspend the entry of aid into the territory. They urge all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions, prevent further loss of life and engage in a solid political solution. 

UN INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON   
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that a peacekeeper was wounded this morning after stepping on a mine while on an operational activity in the southern Lebanese village of Zibqin. He was immediately evacuated to a nearby UNIFIL facility where he received initial treatment. He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Beirut. His condition is stable, and his injuries are not life threatening. This terrible incident highlights the dangers of unexploded ordnance in south Lebanon, UNIFIL has increased its capacity in demining and will continue to do so over the coming months.  
Separately, today, UNIFIL peacekeepers also observed seven IDF activities north of the Blue Line in violation of the Resolution 1701. UNIFIL reiterates its call for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territories so that the Lebanese Armed Forces, with UNIFIL’s support, can deploy in all of south Lebanon. Yesterday, UNIFIL peacekeepers found rocket launchers, rocket-propelled grenade and other unauthorized weapons and ammunition caches in seven different locations in south Lebanon.  
The discoveries were all reported to the Lebanese Army for their action. And as UNIFIL marks the 47th year of its establishment, Head of Mission and Force Commander, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro, stated that successfully implementing resolution 1701 can only be achieved through our joint efforts to prevent escalations, maintain stability, and reinforce state authority in southern Lebanon. 
    
SECRETARY-GENERAL/BRUSSELS 
The Secretary-General is now in Brussels, in Belgium, and he has started his meetings with European Union leaders. 
Earlier today, he met with Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament. And he is scheduled to meet with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission; Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council; and Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. 
Tomorrow, at the invitation of Antonio Costa, the Secretary-General will take part in a working lunch with the Heads of State and Government of the European Union, at the opening of the European Council. We expect Mr. Guterres and Mr. Costa to do a brief stakeout as they enter the European Union building– and you will be able to watch them live on UN Web TV. 
While in Brussels, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Belgium, Bart De Wever.  
As a reminder, on Friday morning, the Secretary-General will deliver remarks in Leuven, where the universities KU Leuven and UC Louvain will jointly award an honorary doctorate to the United Nations. The ceremony will be webcast live on UN Web TV.   

DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL 
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, will travel to Windhoek, the Republic of Namibia, on behalf of the Secretary-General later today to attend the 35th Independence Anniversary Celebration and the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who will become Namibia’s first female President. During her visit, she will meet with the President-elect to continue to strengthen the UN-Namibia relationship. She will also engage with the UN Country Team to assess progress on the Sustainable Development Goals in Namibia. 
She will return to New York on Sunday. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) continues to protect civilians in North Kivu and Ituri province, where 60 per cent of the Force is currently deployed. Our colleagues in the Mission report that over a thousand civilians sought refuge at the Mission base in Fataki, Djugu territory, where they spent the night after fleeing clashes between the CODECO armed group and a coalition of Ugandan and Congolese armed forces. A patrol has also been deployed in the area to reinforce the protection of civilians. 
The Mission continues to monitor the situation closely and remains fully committed to supporting peace and stability efforts in the region.    
Meanwhile, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that in North Kivu, dozens of civilians were killed over the past two days during clashes in Walikale Territory. In Ituri province, authorities reported that clashes yesterday in the town of Fataki displaced more than 5,000 people. Calm has now reportedly returned, but a number of humanitarian partners have suspended their movements in the area. 
In South Kivu, our humanitarian partners are struggling to deliver assistance to more than 1 million people in Uvira and Fizi due to ongoing clashes. OCHA said it is particularly urgent to deliver medical supplies in Uvira, where mpox and cholera continue to spread. 
In response to questions about mediation efforts concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the spokesperson said that the Secretary-General is grateful to the Emir for Qatar's mediation between DRC and Rwanda. He emphasizes that the ceasefire agreed at the EAC-SADC joint summit of 8 February must be observed. We fully support the agreement for continued discussions as envisioned under the Luanda/Nairobi processes. The Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of implementing Security Council Resolution 2773.

SUDAN 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that escalating attacks in the cities of Omdurman and Khartoum are putting civilians at grave risk.  
As fighting intensifies, there are reports that residential areas are increasingly being targeted. Local responders say a drone strike yesterday in the Imtedaad Nasir area of East Khartoum reportedly killed five women and injured several others.  
And on Monday evening, several people were reportedly killed by artillery shelling in the Karari area north of Omdurman, with more than 40 others injured, including children. OCHA renews its urgent call for all parties to the conflict to refrain from targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.  
Under international humanitarian law, all sides must take every possible measure to protect civilians and ensure safe passage for those seeking safety and assistance. Meanwhile in North Darfur, armed clashes in and around El Fasher continue to displace thousands of people into Zamzam camp, which is under siege and facing famine – and where resources and services are already critically overstretched. Checkpoints around the camp are blocking civilian movement, further isolating vulnerable people in dire need of assistance.  
The situation in Zamzam camp remains catastrophic. Families are struggling to survive, and food, nutrition and medical assistance is urgently needed. Water trucking has been suspended due to security risks, increasing the likelihood of waterborne disease outbreaks.
OCHA stresses that immediate humanitarian assistance and access are critical to prevent further loss of life. We continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities across Sudan and full, unhindered humanitarian access to ensure life-saving aid reaches those most in need. 

SOUTH SUDAN
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is deeply concerned about the current political tensions and deteriorating security situation, including the aerial bombing of Nasir, Upper Nile State, which is causing civilian casualties. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom, warned that the country is poised on the brink of relapse into civil war and is urging all parties to adhere to the ceasefire and immediately address the Nasir tensions through dialogue rather than further military confrontation. Mr. Haysom has also called for an immediate return by the parties to consensus-based decision-making and intensive dialogue to resolve grievances and rebuild trust. He stressed that the parties must de-escalate political tensions now before it is too late. 

ETHIOPIA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) say that they are closely monitoring developments in the Tigray region, in Ethiopia. People there are still recovering from the impact of the recent conflict and hosting more than half a million internally displaced people. We stress the critical importance of preserving the gains made under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and call for its full and sustained implementation as the foundation for lasting peace and stability in Ethiopia. OCHA warns that a relapse into conflict would have devastating humanitarian consequences, further undermining fragile recovery efforts and placing additional pressure on already vulnerable communities. Meanwhile, the UN and its humanitarian partners, continue to support the Government-led response. 
 
SOMALIA
In a statement issued yesterday, the Secretary-General strongly condemned yesterday’s attack in Somalia targeting a convoy carrying President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud which resulted in casualties. He reaffirmed the UN’s full solidarity and support to the people and Government of Somalia in their fight against terrorism and in furthering efforts towards peace and stability.  
 
UKRAINE
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that several people were killed and wounded in attacks today and yesterday in the regions of Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyvi and Sumy. Scores of homes, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged. This is according to authorities and aid workers on the ground.
In the Sumy Region, two hospitals were damaged, forcing rescuers to evacuate numerous patients and health workers. Humanitarian organizations mobilized to support those impacted, including by providing materials to repair homes, hygiene items and other vital aid.  

UN DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE  
This morning, the Security Council held closed consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Khaled Khiari briefed the Council members. 
   
CLIMATE 
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) today released a report which says that human-induced climate change reached new heights in 2024, with some of the consequences being irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years. 
The State of the Climate report confirmed that 2024 was likely the first calendar year to be more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era. This is the warmest year in the 175-year observational record. 
The Secretary-General said that “our planet is issuing more distress signals -- but this report shows that limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. Leaders must step up to make it happen -- seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies -- with new National climate plans due this year.”  
 
NOON BRIEFING GUEST 
Tomorrow, the noon briefing guest will be Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria. He will brief on the situation in Syria. 
 
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS 
Estonia and Moldova have done their full payments to the Regular Budget, bringing the number of fully paid-up Member States to 79.