HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 2023
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S STATEMENT/GAZA
I am deeply alarmed by the intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. This includes the expansion of ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces accompanied by intense air strikes, and the continued rocket fire towards Israel from Gaza.
Civilians have borne the brunt of the current fighting from the outset. Protection of civilians on both sides is paramount and must be respected at all times.
I repeat my utter condemnation of the acts of terror perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October. There is never any justification for the killing, injuring and abduction of civilians. I appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of those civilians held hostage by Hamas.
I condemn the killing of civilians in Gaza and I am dismayed by reports that two-thirds of those who have been killed are women and children.
I mourn and honour the United Nations colleagues who have tragically been killed in the bombardment of Gaza over the past three weeks. My heart goes out to the families of our colleagues who lost their lives in service.
International humanitarian law establishes clear rules that cannot be ignored. It is not an a la carte menu and cannot be applied selectively.
All parties must abide by it, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. With too many Israeli and Palestinian lives already lost, this escalation only increases the immense suffering of civilians.
The level of humanitarian assistance that has been allowed into Gaza up to this point is completely inadequate and not commensurate with the needs of people in Gaza, compounding the humanitarian tragedy.
I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for unimpeded humanitarian access to be granted consistently, safely and to scale in order to meet the urgent needs created by the catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
I remain deeply concerned about the risk of a dangerous escalation beyond Gaza and urge all leaders to exercise utmost restraint to avoid a wider conflagration.
GAZA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that yesterday, a total of 26 trucks carrying water, food and medical supplies entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Since 21 October, 143 trucks with humanitarian aid have entered Gaza, as of yesterday evening.
Today, Martin Griffiths, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, met Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, in Ramallah. He also talked to families in Gaza by phone and said that what they have endured since 7 October is beyond devastating, adding that misery is growing by the minute. After talking to an 8-year-old who told him she does not want to die, Mr. Griffiths said it is hard not to feel helpless.
Martin Griffiths was in Jerusalem yesterday and met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and families of hostages. In a social media post, Mr. Griffiths said he could not imagine what the families are going through, living in agony for the past three weeks, not knowing if their loved ones are dead or alive.
And yesterday, Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency, briefed the Security Council and warned that “no place is safe in Gaza.” He said that more than 670,000 displaced people are now in overcrowded UNRWA schools and buildings, where they live in appalling, unsanitary conditions, with limited food and water, sleeping on the floor without mattresses, or outside, in the open.
He told the Council that nearly 70 per cent of those reported killed are children and women. Too many people have been killed and injured while seeking safety in places protected by international humanitarian law, he said. The Council also heard from UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, and Lisa Doughten, OCHA Director of Humanitarian Financing and Resource Mobilization Division.
LEBANON/UNIFIL
Moving to the north, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports with concern that exchanges of fire across the Blue Line continued yesterday.
The Mission observed several shells and explosions in multiple locations within its area of operations. UNIFIL also discovered an unexploded ordinance within its Headquarters premises yesterday, following artillery shelling in the vicinity of Naqoura. No injuries were reported.
The Mission continues to remind the parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers and the need to immediately cease hostile actions across the Blue Line.
SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
Today, the Secretary-General visited the Annapurna Base Camp, in Nepal, where he said that all those that will be at the COP28 climate summit should come to Nepal and see the glaciers receding. He said that they are melting very quickly, causing floods, landslides and dramatic impacts on communities. It's time to take drastic measures to fight climate change, he stressed.
At a press encounter, the Secretary-General appealed to the international community to show effective solidarity so that there is much more funding for adaptation, to build resilience, to protect the communities, adding that the loss and damage fund needs to be put to work to the benefit of those populations like the ones he visited.
Also today, the Secretary-General delivered a message for peace in Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
The Secretary-General said that humanity is at war with nature and at war with itself. In the Middle East, Ukraine, the Sahel, Sudan and many other places around the world, conflict is raging, he added. He said that across the ages, Lord Buddha’s message of compassion, non-violence and interdependence calls to us all, and inspires us all – reminding us of our common humanity and the connectedness of all things.
Later in the afternoon, in Nepal, the Secretary-General delivered remarks at the Nepalese Parliament.
He said that as geopolitical tensions rise, global divisions are becoming deeper and more dangerous. The Secretary-General noted that smaller countries fear becoming collateral damage in competition between the great powers, and climate catastrophe is accelerating with a deadly force.
In responding to these crises, he said, the world could learn much from Nepal.
And tomorrow, the Secretary-General will travel to London, to attend the Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit, hosted by the United Kingdom.
He is also scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
Today in Abu Dhabi, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, continued her meetings with Ministers attending the climate pre-COP. She also spoke at the closing session of the meeting and called on Ministers to aim for the highest levels of ambition and provide their negotiators with clear guidance and flexibility to reach a successful outcome at COP28. Ms. Mohammed said that with less than a month to go before the start of COP, it is essential that Parties finalize an ambitious response during the assessment phase of the global stocktake. She also stressed the imperative of developed countries providing clarity on the delivery of the longstanding $100 billion commitment for the Green Climate Fund and she called on all Parties to finalize the design of the new loss and damage fund to ensure that it is ready to receive contributions before and at COP 28.
MALI
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) reports that the accelerated withdrawal from three camps in the Kidal region has been completed, despite significant challenges.
The last convoy left the city of Kidal today, ending MINUSMA’s presence in the region. Unfortunately, the convoy hit two improvised explosive devices since departing. There have been no casualties.
The Peacekeeping Mission is now ready to proceed with the administrative transfer of the three camps in Kidal region to the civilian Malian authorities, as per previous transfer processes.
A convoy of over 500 Chadian peacekeepers, which had left Tessalit and Aguelhok bases on 21 and 23 October respectively, arrived in Gao, after traveling hundreds of kilometers on an unsafe route.
Along the way, they experienced four improvised explosive device incidents, during which four peacekeepers suffered minor injuries.
MINUSMA's withdrawal from Kidal has been particularly challenging, due to the deteriorating security situation and challenges with flight authorizations, including for flights to protect peacekeeping operations.
The UN reiterates its determination to complete the withdrawal of the peacekeeping mission from the country - except for the liquidation team, including the rear-parties of contingents and its guard unit - by the stipulated date of 31 December and we look forward to Mali’s full cooperation to this end.
UKRAINE
This morning, Security Council members heard from the OCHA Director of Coordination, Ramesh Rajasingham, who spoke on behalf of Martin Griffiths, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, on the topic of Ukraine.
Mr. Rajasingham said that while much of the international attention is rightly concentrated on the grave events in the Middle East, it is important that we do not lose focus on other crises, particularly the war in Ukraine, which continues to inflict unimaginable levels of suffering.
At the latest count, more than 9,900 civilians have been killed since the start of the invasion and damage to infrastructure continues to severely impact access of the civilian population to electricity, heating, water and telecommunications.
Mr. Rajasingham added that currently some 18 million people – more than 40 per cent of the entire Ukrainian population – are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance.
He also noted that as winter approaches and temperatures start to drop below freezing, humanitarian needs will be magnified and to tackle this, OCHA is putting together a response plan.
KAZAKHSTAN
The Secretary-General was deeply saddened to learn of the coal mine fire in the Karaganda region on 28 October, in which at least 46 people lost their lives.
He wishes to extend his deepest condolences to the families of the victims; the communities affected by this tragic event and the people of Kazakhstan and assure them of the United Nations’ full support during this difficult time.
WORLD CITIES DAY
Today is World Cities Day.
In his message, the Secretary-General says that this year's theme, “Financing Sustainable Urban Development,” is a call to action in a world where local authorities are struggling with limited support and resources, while demand for infrastructure, affordable housing, efficient transport, and social services is immense and growing.
GUESTS/ STAKEOUT
Noon briefing guests today are Epsy Campbell Barr, Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, and Justin Hansford, a Member of the Forum.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will speak at the Security Council Stakeout following his briefing to the Security Council.
Tomorrow, at 1:00 p.m., there will be a briefing by Ambassador Zhang Jun, the Permanent Representative of China and President of the Security Council for November. He will be here to brief you on the Council’s programme of work for the month.
