HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 12 AUGUST 2024

ATTACK ON SCHOOL IN GAZA 
The Secretary-General condemns the continued loss of life in Gaza, including women and children, as we witness yet another devastating strike by Israel on the Al-Taba’een school in Gaza City, sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians families, with scores of fatalities, amidst continued horror, displacement, and suffering in Gaza. 
The Secretary-General is dismayed to see that the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2735 (2024) remain unimplemented. He welcomes the mediation efforts of the United States, Egypt, and Qatar leaders, and urges both sides to rejoin negotiations and conclude the ceasefire and hostages release deal. 
The Secretary-General reiterates his urgent appeal for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. He also again underscores the need to ensure the protection of civilians and for unimpeded and safe humanitarian access into and across Gaza. The Secretary-General underlines that international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attack, must be upheld at all times. 
  
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that ongoing bombardment and hostilities continue to kill, injure and displace Palestinians – as well as damage and destroy the homes and infrastructure they rely on. 
Regarding the Al Taba’een School in Gaza City, which was hit by Israeli military on Saturday, at the time of the attack, the school-turned-shelter was reportedly hosting hundreds of displaced families and people were performing the dawn prayer at the school’s prayer hall. 
Casualties were brought to Al Ahli hospital, which is one of the 16 hospitals that remain only partially functional in the Gaza Strip. The hospital is overwhelmed by this mass casualty incident amid shortage of medications, clean water and beds. 
Humanitarian partners on the ground helped families who returned to the school - including drinking water, food parcels, hot meals, hygiene kits, and clothing. They also provided psychological first aid and psychosocial support activities for children and their parents.  
According to the UN Human Rights Office, this is at least the 21st strike on a school, each serving as a shelter, since 4 July. These strikes have resulted in at least 274 fatalities, including women and children. 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that two evacuation orders were issued by the Israeli military over the weekend for Khan Younis, mostly for areas that were previously placed under evacuation. Initial mapping indicates that the areas affected by these orders encompass about 23 displacement sites, 14 water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and four educational facilities. 
In total, about 305 square kilometres, or nearly 84 per cent of the Gaza Strip, have been placed under evacuation orders by the Israeli military.  
Once again, the UN calls for all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by taking constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects. This includes allowing civilians to leave for safer areas and allowing their return as soon as circumstances allow. People must be able to receive humanitarian assistance, whether they move or stay.  

LEBANON 
In Lebanon, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned by the increasing number civilian deaths and rising displacement, amid escalating hostilities. 
Over the past month, the numbers of civilians killed has increased by 20 per cent – to a total of 120 human beings since October, with nearly half being women and children.  
Civilian infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted. According to UNICEF, more than a dozen water stations have been damaged, with four now non-functional. This affects access to safe drinking water for more than 200,000 people.  
The UN and its partners continue to scale up relief efforts, in support of the Government-led response. The World Health Organization recently delivered 32 tons of trauma and emergency surgical kits, as well as medications.  
For its part, UNICEF has distributed 65 tons of emergency kits, including medications and medical supplies, as part of their efforts to pre-position critical assistance.  
People are being displaced on both sides of the Blue Line. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that in Lebanon displacement has increased by nearly four percent since July 23rd – to a total of 102,000 people since October.  
The UN again urges all parties to respect their international humanitarian law obligations, stressing that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. 
Access constraints and funding shortages continue to pose challenges to the humanitarian response, and additional resources are urgently needed. Humanitarian partners requested more than $72 million in April for a 3-month emergency response, but less than $25 million of that has been received so far. 
 
SYRIA 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs welcomes the Government of Syria's authorization today for the continued use of the Bab al-Salam and al-Rai crossing points from Türkiye through November 13th.  This means that our agencies can continue delivering humanitarian assistance to people in need in north-west Syria. 
The cross-border operation from Türkiye – which also utilizes the Bab al-Hawa crossing – is a lifeline for aid to north-west Syria, where millions of people need humanitarian assistance – including food, nutrition, health, shelter, protection, education and other critical support. 
This year, the UN and its partners are appealing for just over $4 billion to assist more than 10 million people throughout Syria.  
But the UN’s ability to respond continues to be constrained by reductions in funding, with only 24 per cent – some $960 million - received to date. 
 
SECURITY COUNCIL  
This morning, the Secretary-General briefed Security Council members on the topic of “Addressing the Historical Injustice and Enhancing Africa’s Effective Representation in the Security Council.” 
He said that the Security Council was designed by the victors of the Second World War and reflects the power structures at that time.  
The world has changed since 1945, he said, but the composition of the Council, despite a few changes, has not kept pace.  
“We cannot accept that the world’s preeminent peace and security body lacks a permanent voice for a continent of well over a billion people — a young and rapidly growing population — making up 28 per cent of the membership of the United Nations,” he added. 
The message is clear, he said, there can be no global security without African security.  
 
SUDAN   
The Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the country and lasting ceasefire.  
The evolving situation in El Fasher in North Darfur is deeply alarming, where fierce fighting has been reported between the Sudanese Armed Forces, the Rapid Support Forces and elements of the Armed Struggle Movements. 
These clashes have devastating consequences for the civilian population.  
The Secretary-General urged the Parties to return to political dialogue as the only path to a negotiated settlement. 
 
LIBYA 
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) over the weekend condemned the armed clashes that erupted in Tajoura and the subsequent military buildup inside and around Tripoli. 
The Mission is disturbed by reports indicating the tragic loss of life, injury to civilians, and displacement of several families. The Mission deplores the use of heavy projectiles and rockets by the fighting groups in densely populated areas and reminds all parties of their obligation to protect civilians at all times. 
UNSMIL welcomes the de-escalation efforts and agreement to cease the hostilities and urges all parties to adhere to it. The Mission is in continuous engagement with the authorities and urges them to fulfill their responsibilities by ensuring an end to the armed clashes, restoring calm in residential areas, and holding the perpetrators accountable. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 
The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (MONUSCO) report that they have dismantled a militia camp set up by CODECO elements in a school in Fataki, in Ituri province.  
The militants had occupied the school’s courtyard, forcing nearly 450 students to relocate, and disrupting educational activities.  
MONUSCO, along with local leaders, engaged in negotiations with the militia to vacate the school, emphasizing the importance of preserving such protected public spaces. Ultimately, negotiations led to the removal of the armed group, allowing the students to return to their school for the upcoming academic year. 
 
MYANMAR 
Turning to Myanmar, the UN condemns in the strongest terms the escalation of violence that has led to heavy civilian casualties in the country in recent weeks.  
There were alarming reports of civilians being killed in the towns of Maungdaw in Rakhine State and Lashio in Shan State while attempting to flee fighting. 
These incidents are part of a deeply concerning trend in the intensifying conflict, with civilians bearing the brunt of a conflict that has upended millions of lives. 
The UN reminds all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian property. Parties should also allow all communities to safely access humanitarian aid. 
Amid the worsening situation, 18.6 million people require humanitarian assistance, 6 million of them children. Despite this scale of need, the 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan remains underfunded, with only 21 per cent – or $214 million - of the required $994 million received 8 months into the year. More resources are urgently needed to assist 5.3 million people in need across the country. 
 
UKRAINE 
Turning to Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that hostilities continue in front lines regions, with the focus shifting from the Kharkiv to the Donetsk region.  
Aid workers continue to support people fleeing hostilities and help residents affected by deadly attacks. In the Donetsk Region, aid workers provided emergency support to residents affected by recent strikes. They delivered water, hygiene items, and repair materials to cover the damaged homes and transported families with children to collective sites in the safer areas of Ukraine.    
 
YOUTH DAY 
Today is International Youth Day which celebrates the power and potential of young people.  
In his message for the Day, the Secretary-General says that this year’s focus is on the pivotal role of youth in harnessing technology to advance sustainable development. 
And according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report, the global labour market outlook for young people has improved in the last four years.  
But for the youth who do work, the report notes the lack of progress in gaining decent jobs. Globally, more than half of young workers are in informal employment.
 
GUEST TOMORROW 
Tomorrow, my guest will be Alison Davidian, UN Women’s Head of the Afghanistan Country Office. 
She will join us from Kabul to discuss UN Women’s ‘Afghanistan Gender Country Profile 2024’.