HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2023

SECRETARY-GENERAL/ MIDDLE EAST
This morning, the Secretary-General said he was shocked by misinterpretations by some of his statement yesterday in the Security Council – as if it was justifying acts of terror by Hamas. This is false, he said.  It was the opposite.     
He noted he had clearly condemned the acts by Hamas unequivocally and had added that, as he said, “the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas.” 
The Secretary-General said it was necessary to set the record straight – especially out of respect for the victims and to their families. 
 
GAZA 
An update on the situation in Gaza, our humanitarian colleagues are telling us that the humanitarian crisis has reached an unprecedented point. 
The UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA - by far the largest humanitarian provider in Gaza - warned that unless fuel is allowed into Gaza immediately, UNRWA will be forced to halt its operations tonight. 
Hospitals are shutting down. They lack fuel, water, medical supplies and personnel. Fuel is being severely rationed and is used to run a select number of critical facilities. The back-up generators are not designed for continuous operations and could break down. 
UN personnel yesterday visited hospitals and saw many wounded people who were unconscious, with open wounds, lying on beds, stretchers and on the floor, with limited medical assistance. 
Food stocks are running out. The World Food Programme estimates that the current supplies of essential food in Gaza are sufficient for about 12 days. However, at shops, the available stock is expected to last for only five days. 
People are resorting to well water, which is extremely high in salt and poses immediate health risks. Health partners have also detected cases of chicken pox, scabies and diarrhea, due to the poor sanitation conditions and consumption of water from unsafe sources. 
The number of internally displaced is now estimated at over 1.4 million people, including 590,000 people sheltered in UNRWA designated shelters. 

UNIFIL   
The UN Peacekeeping mission in Lebanon -UNIFIL- says there were again exchanges of fire across the Blue Line this morning.  As the UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander reiterated today in a statement, UNIFIL continues to implement its mandate, including to patrol along the Blue Line and to engage with the parties in an attempt to de-escalate existing tensions.   
  
WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY 
The Secretary-General spoke at the Security Council on the topic of women, peace and security. He said that at a time when conflicts are raging and tensions are rising, the world needs to take note and be inspired by the immense contributions of women to global peace and security.  
Women’s participation should be a default, not an afterthought, Mr. Guterres said, noting that far too many women’s organizations struggle to fund their essential work, as military spending soars; and far too many perpetrators of sexual violence walk free and far too many peace processes exclude women.   
He urged countries to ensure that women are in the room for peace talks, to provide funding for gender equality initiatives and include women at all levels of political and civil life. Also briefing the Council was the Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous.                                                     

PEACE BEGINS WITH HER
The Spokesperson encouraged the public to visit the photo exhibit outside the Visitors’ entrance on 46th street, featuring the portraits of women peacebuilders and peacekeepers.  
This exhibition is organized by the Department of Peace Operations, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN Women and the Elsie Initiative Fund.
  
DSG 
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is in Brussels to take part in the Global Gateway Forum today.  
During her visit, she will also meet with Heads of State, EU officials and representatives from the World Bank, European Investment Bank, and other partners.  
At the opening of the Forum, she called for strengthened political leadership, financing and partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. “We have only 7 years to deliver on the promise of the 2030 agenda and the SDGs. The time for bold and audacious action has arrived”. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the escalation of violence continues in North Kivu province, in the east of the country.  
On Monday, according to local sources, a new attack by an armed group in the town of Oicha, in Beni territory, killed at least 25 civilians, injured several others and forced 1,500 people to flee their homes. Humanitarian activities in the town have been suspended and humanitarian personnel have been temporarily withdrawn. 
The ongoing violence in North Kivu has disrupted the distribution of vital food assistance intended to reach more than 25,000 displaced people and other vulnerable people across the province.  
Since early October, the violence has led to the displacement of almost 200,000 men, women and children, mainly in the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru. And we have been highlighting the ongoing conflict in this area for some time. 
Despite the volatile environment, humanitarian organizations remain committed to scaling up the humanitarian response. Since October 15th, 140,000 displaced people have received food assistance in the territory of Masisi.  

YEMEN 
Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy for Yemen, yesterday concluded a visit to London, in the United Kingdom, where he engaged in a series of meetings with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, who is the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the United Nations. 
Mr. Grundberg stressed the pressing need for a political solution to the Yemeni crisis, emphasizing the importance of the international community and Security Council Member States working together in a concerted effort to bring Yemenis closer to the peace they aspire to achieve. The Special Envoy also attended a roundtable discussion with UK Members of Parliament. Discussions encompassed the creation of conditions conducive to a sustainable peace process in Yemen.

BRIEFINGS
Tomorrow, at 12:30 p.m. the Secretary-General will hold a pre-scheduled press conference to announce the members of his Advisory Board on Artificial Intelligence.  He will be accompanied by his Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill. Also joining virtually will be officials from the UN Human Rights Office, UNESCO, the International Telecommunications Union and the UN University. 

At 2:00 p.m. today, there will be a briefing by Mariana Katzarova, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation.