HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 2024
Crimes against Journalists
Tomorrow, Saturday, it is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists – those who get killed simply for doing their important job in reporting to the public and pursuing the truth.
In his message for the day, the Secretary-General underscores that a free press is fundamental to human rights, to democracy, and to the rule of law.
As you well know, recent years have seen an alarming rate of fatalities in conflict zones – particular in Gaza, which has seen the highest number of killings of journalists and media workers in a war in decades.
According to a new report by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 85 per cent of all killings recorded by UNESCO since 2006 are considered unresolved.
Media Seminar
Today, the Secretary-General delivered a message to the UN International Media Seminar on Peace in the Middle East, which is going on in Geneva. In his message he warned that journalists in Gaza have been killed at a level unseen in any conflict in modern times. The ongoing ban preventing international journalists from Gaza suffocates the truth even further, he said. At the same time, he added, several journalists have also been killed or injured covering key stories impacting the occupied West Bank.
This is unacceptable, he said. The voices of journalists must be protected, and press freedom must be safeguarded.
Inter-Agency Standing Committee
The UN’s Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which brings together leaders of 15 UN humanitarian agencies and also large international humanitarian NGOs, today issued a joint statement describing the situation unfolding in North Gaza as apocalyptic.
The group says that hospitals have been almost entirely cut off from supplies and have come under attack, killing patients, destroying vital equipment, and disrupting life-saving services. Health workers and patients have been taken into custody. Fighting has also been reportedly taken place inside hospitals.
The Committee has received reports of civilians being targeted while trying to seek safety, and of men and boys being arrested and taken to unknown locations for detention.
The IASC also recalled that the Israeli Parliament adopted legislation recently that would ban UNRWA and revoke its privileges and immunities. If implemented, the Committee warns, such measures would be a catastrophe for the humanitarian response in Gaza, diametrically opposed to the UN Charter, with potential dire impacts on the human rights of the millions of Palestinians who rely in UNRWA for assistance, and in violation of Israel’s obligations under international law. There is no alternative to UNRWA, the group said.
Occupied Palestinian Territory
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that, in North Gaza governorate, virtually all incoming supplies and humanitarian services have ceased. This is due to the ongoing siege imposed by the Israeli security forces, as well as insecurity, limited supplies, and the displacement of aid workers.
Some 100,000 people recently displaced from North Gaza are sheltering in schools, buildings, or makeshift sites in Gaza City, while about 75,000 people are estimated to remain in North Gaza governorate.
With no electricity or fuel allowed since 1 October, only two of eight water wells in Jabalya refugee camp remain functional – both, unfortunately, just partially. As of yesterday, no bakeries or public kitchens are operational. Only two of 20 health service points and two hospitals remain operational – all partially. And rescue operations have come to a complete halt.
South of Wadi Gaza, OCHA is closely monitoring reports of ongoing intense hostilities in the northern Nuseirat area of Deir al Balah governorate, with a high number of casualties admitted to Al Awda hospital. This area has been largely inaccessible for months, with the latest denial of access for an OCHA team occurring earlier this week. However, our teams remain deployed nearby, observing displacement southward and receiving reports of families trapped in the area, unable to leave amid the ongoing military operations.
Meanwhile, OCHA reports that the UN and our partners are working to support displaced Palestinians ahead of the rainy season. Yesterday in Deir al Balah, OCHA participated in an assessment of two displacement sites in the Mashalah area, where nearly 8,000 people have sought shelter. The team says it is urgent that the makeshift shelters at these sites can be repaired and improved to protect people from excess water.
Meanwhile, we also have an update for you on the polio vaccination campaign, which is set to resume tomorrow in northern Gaza. The vaccines will be delivered by 216 teams across about 100 fixed sites, nearly two dozen of which were added to ensure increased availability of vaccination in areas where recently displaced people are seeking shelter.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) say the humanitarian pause necessary to conduct this extremely important campaign has been assured, but the area of the pause has been substantially reduced compared to the first round of vaccination that took place in the North back in September. It is now limited to Gaza City.
This means that some 15,000 children under the age of 10 in parts of North Gaza – including Jabalya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun – remain inaccessible and could be missed during the campaign, which compromises its effectiveness. As a reminder, in order to interrupt transmission of the poliovirus, at least 90 per cent of all children in every community and neighbourhood must be vaccinated.
Lebanon
Today, General Aroldo Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), met with Lebanese officials. That included the Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, the Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Joseph Aoun.
They discussed the ongoing conflict and its serious implications on civilians, especially in areas where the peacekeepers operate.
General Lázaro emphasized the urgent need to resolve issues at the negotiating table. A political and diplomatic solution, and full recommitment to Resolution 1701, is the only way to return to the cessation of hostilities. He also welcomed the assurances given to him by all of the interlocutors in this regard.
Meanwhile on the ground, one of our peacekeepers’ patrols was blocked by the IDF near Hula in Sector East. The peacekeepers remain in position, and we strongly remind all actors of their obligations to ensure that the UN peacekeepers have unrestricted freedom of movement in its area of operations.
On the ground, IDF airstrikes continue across Lebanon, with the first strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs in several days, while strikes continued in Baalbek. Lebanese authorities have reported at least 13 fatalities, including children, from Israeli strikes today. The terrible impact on civilians is of course, a grave concern to us. In addition, we note with serious concern about reports of at least 7 civilians killed from Hizbullah strikes into northern Israel over the last 24 hours.
We condemn the rising toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure and the loss of civilian lives on both sides of the Blue Line. We also note the statement from the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, saying that the recent evacuation orders for the cities of Baalbek and Tyre forced tens of thousands of Lebanese to flee en masse, worsening an already catastrophic displacement situation.
She said that Lebanon’s ancient cultural heritage sites are also in danger. The Special Coordinator, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, underscored that Lebanon’s cultural heritage must not become yet another casualty in this devastating conflict.
We remind all parties that they must follow international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Lebanon/Humanitarian
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that despite the ongoing hostilities, the UN humanitarian partners are continuing their response in Lebanon. Two humanitarian convoys delivered emergency supplies to Tyre, and that included water, blankets and ready-to-eat meals and other items. The teams also conducted an emergency needs assessment of the population that has been displaced and that is remaining in the town.
So far, since the recent escalation, a total of 15 convoys have been successfully organized to reach areas in Tyre, Hasbaya, Marjayoun as well as Baalbek.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recorded more than 842,000 people as being displaced in Lebanon since October 2023. For its part, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that, since 23 September of this year, 469,000 men, women and children have fled from Lebanon into Syria. That is based on estimates given to us by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
The conflict continues to impact civilian infrastructure. For example, since 8 October of last year, at least 29 water facilities have been damaged impacting water supply to more than 360,000 people, primarily in southern Lebanon, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Pakistan
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack that took place today in Balochistan province, which reportedly led to the deaths of at least seven people, including five school children, and injured 23 others in Pakistan.
The Secretary-General stresses that attacks against civilians, healthcare facilities and healthcare workers are unacceptable. He extends his deepest condolences to the families and calls on the Government of Pakistan to conduct an investigation and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and held accountable.
Bolivia
And on Bolivia, I want to tell you that the Secretary-General is following closely and with concern the escalating tensions in that country.
He urges all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from any acts of violence.
The Secretary General calls on all political actors to resolve their differences by peaceful means and in full respect of human rights.
Secretary-General/Sudan
In a statement issued today, the Secretary-General strongly condemned the recent attacks by the Rapid Support Forces in Aj Jazirah State amidst escalating violence across Sudan.
The Secretary-General is appalled by large numbers of civilians being killed, being detained or being displaced, as well as acts of sexual violence against women and girls, the looting of homes and the looting of markets and the burning of farms. Such acts may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Perpetrators of such serious violations must be held to account.
The Secretary-General noted with alarm that the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to worsen, with hunger and disease continuing to spread and half of the population of Sudan in need of aid. He demanded that all parties to the conflict facilitate the safe, the rapid and the unimpeded humanitarian access to all civilians in need in Sudan, through all necessary routes, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The Secretary-General renewed his call for a ceasefire to spare the Sudanese civilians from any further suffering. The Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ramtane Lamamra, will continue to engage with the parties and all relevant stakeholders to de-escalate the conflict and explore modalities to strengthen the protection of civilians.
Sudan/Humanitarian
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) now reports that more than 135,000 people have been displaced from locations across Aj Jazirah, in Sudan between October 20th and 30th. More than half have fled to Gedaref State, with nearly a third seeking shelter in Kassala State.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) remains deeply concerned about the plight of civilians trapped by the ongoing fighting in Aj Jazirah State, as well as the safety of those who have been forced to flee.
The UN and its humanitarian partners – especially local organizations and volunteers – are supporting thousands of these new arrivals with urgent assistance, as well as critical services such as family tracing, family reunification services, mental health and psychosocial support.
As we have repeatedly said, civilians must be protected whether they move or stay, and they must be able to receive the humanitarian assistance they need.
South Sudan
The World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently appealing to donors to provide early funding for next year’s operations in South Sudan
The food Agency needs $404 million so it can preposition food to prevent operational costs and hunger through 2025.
Somalia
After more than ten years, the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) ceased operations yesterday and was succeeded by the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia, which means that we have a new acronym – UNTMIS. That is as of today, and of course the change was in pursuant to Security Council resolution 2753.
Over the past decade, UNSOM had made significant contributions to Somali efforts to advance state-building priorities in Somalia. The establishment of the new UN Mission reflects the progress in the country and is in line with the request of the Federal Government of Somalia for a two-year period to transition of UNSOM’s functions to national institutions, the UN Country Team and other stakeholders by October 2026.
Under the new mandate, the new UN Mission will commence the transition process while also continuing to provide assistance to Somalia as they implement national priorities. The UN remains committed to continue supporting the Government and people of Somalia throughout the transition and beyond.
Resident Coordinators – Tanzania and Uganda
The Secretary-General has appointed Susan Ngongi Namondo of Cameroon as the UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania. She starts today, now that the Government has cleared her appointment. She brings over 25 years of experience in development work, including 19 years leading development professionals in various areas. She previously served as UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Eritrea. We congratulate her.
The Secretary-General has also appointed Leonard Zulu of Zimbabwe as the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda. He also starts today, now that he has the Government’s approval.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in humanitarian action, development, peacebuilding, human rights, and the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers.
Previous to that, he worked with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Afghanistan and many other countries. We congratulate him.
Briefing – Monday
At 1:30 p.m. on Monday, there will be a brief by Nicolas Levrat, the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues.
