Noon briefing of 10 September 2026
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2026
TERRORIST ATTACKS OF 9/11
Twenty-five years ago, the heinous terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, an assault on humanity itself, claimed thousands of lives and left an enduring mark on our world. As we mark this somber occasion on 11 September, we remember the nearly 3,000 victims – from the United States and more than 90 countries – and stand with their families and loved ones.
We pay tribute to the survivors and honour the first responders who showed extraordinary courage and humanity in the face of tragedy, many making the ultimate sacrifice.
On this solemn anniversary, we stand in solidarity with the people of New York City, the United States of America and with all those whose lives were affected by the attacks.
This year also marks twenty years since Member States adopted the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy — a reminder that the fight against terrorism is a shared, unfinished task.
As we pay tribute to the victims, let us renew our shared commitment to build a future free from terrorism.
YEMEN
The UN team confirms that eight UN vehicles were seized from the UN humanitarian hub in Mokha this morning, amid recent developments in the city in Yemen.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is deeply concerned by the situation unfolding in the country, stressing that the last thing the people of Yemen need is more fighting and more displacement. These incidents are constraining humanitarian operations and our partners’ ability to reach people in need. Communities need an end to the fighting, and humanitarian workers must be able to safely do their jobs.
Despite the challenges, rapid response partners have reached more than 2,700 households with emergency assistance. More funding and better access are critical to reach all those who need assistance.
Once again, the UN calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law. They must protect civilians, including by allowing them to move to safer areas, and must facilitate unimpeded access for humanitarian relief to reach all those in dire need.
This afternoon, the Security Council will hold a session regarding the reported Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia earlier this week. The Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, will brief.
LEBANON
Turning to Lebanon, where peacekeepers at the UN Interim Force (UNIFIL) continue to observe extensive IDF kinetic activity across the south of the country, including in the airspace, on the ground, and at sea.
Yesterday, UNIFIL recorded 84 violations of Lebanese airspace by the IDF, the highest daily number since 10 June. Peacekeepers also observed 56 Israeli airstrikes, the highest daily total since 4 June. And UNIFIL continues to detect dozens of IDF projectiles impacting targets across southern Lebanon each day. Since 21 June, one Hizbullah projectile has been detected, on 6 September. Among the most significant observations yesterday was an incident near Al Mansuri in Sector West, where peacekeepers saw dozens of Israeli drones dropping jerry cans, resulting in multiple detonations in the area. At sea, peacekeepers observed two IDF patrol boats violating Lebanese territorial waters off the coast of Naqoura yesterday.
Peacekeepers also continue to report unexploded ordnance in both sectors. Recent finds include an explosive shell and a rocket yesterday, as well as a fibre-optic drone on Tuesday.
And on the humanitarian side, through its Liaison Branch and in coordination with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNIFIL facilitated six humanitarian missions in Sector West yesterday.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns of a rise in demolitions of Palestinian homes and other properties in the Masafer Yatta area of the southern West Bank in recent days. On Tuesday, Israeli authorities demolished 20 homes and other structures, including a water cistern and solar panels, in two Palestinian herding communities in that area.
Combined with the demolition of a third nearby community last Wednesday, these actions have displaced nearly 60 people, half of them children, and otherwise affected 30 people who stay in the area seasonally. Many of the destroyed properties had been built with donor support.
Masafer Yatta is home to roughly 1,200 Palestinians living across 13 communities – all under pressure to leave, as Israeli authorities have designated this area as a “firing zone.” OCHA says that adding to this pressure is a rise in settler violence against those communities, following the establishment of settlement outposts in the area in recent years.
Yesterday, the UN and its humanitarian partners visited Masafer Yatta to speak with displaced people who are receiving vital assistance, including emergency shelter, food, hygiene, baby products and psychosocial support.
Across the West Bank, 1,500 Palestinians have been displaced so far this year, due to demolitions, and more than 2,600 have been displaced due to settler violence and related access restrictions.
Turning to the Gaza Strip, yesterday, UN humanitarian partners visited people who were affected by an air strike on Al Bureij area of Deir al Balah the day before. The UN and its partners are mobilizing rapid support for 30 families who were confirmed to have had their shelters destroyed or damaged.
In the first week of September, our humanitarian partners provided rapid assistance to over 100 households affected by 18 incidents reported by communities across the Gaza Strip, including – among others – air strikes, the collapse of damaged buildings and domestic fires.
SUDAN
The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, will conclude his visit to the country on Friday. This week, he joined the Quintet — the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, the European Union and the UN — on a Good Offices mission to Khartoum.
The Quintet held constructive discussions with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, the Prime Minister, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and other political and civilian actors, including at a working dinner hosted by the Minister of Finance. The mission was focused on listening to Sudanese stakeholders and connecting international efforts with initiatives emerging inside the country.
In a statement issued at the conclusion of the mission, the Quintet reiterated its commitment to advancing a credible, inclusive, Sudanese-led and Sudanese-owned political process towards a democratic, civilian-led government that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people.
EBOLA/DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN and its partners continue to support national authorities in scaling up the response to the Ebola outbreak. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that yesterday, a new Ebola treatment centre with 50 beds was opened in Kisangani, in Tshopo Province, where new cases continue to be reported.
The UN and its partners are also strengthening disease surveillance and community engagement in areas at heightened risk of transmission. In Ituri Province, OCHA recently brought together representatives from the mining sector and local authorities to reinforce awareness and disease monitoring in mining communities.
Meanwhile, conflict continues to complicate response efforts. Recent armed attacks in Haut-Uele and Ituri provinces have displaced civilians into Tshopo Province, raising concerns about the further spread of the disease.
The UN reiterates its call for safe and unhindered humanitarian access as well as sustained international support to help contain the outbreak in DRC and deliver life-saving assistance for the people in need.
CUBA
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that the Cuba's severe power crisis, following sanctions, is taking an increasing toll on basic services. According to the authorities, electricity generation in August met less than one-third of national demand. We are particularly concerned about the impact on healthcare services, including disruptions to critical medical equipment and vaccine cold-chain systems, potentially affecting nearly 70,000 children.
Humanitarian operations are also facing logistical challenges linked to the overcompliance with sanctions, including shipping companies discontinuing services. This is affecting supply chains for medicines, food, water treatment equipment and other critical supplies across the country.
Despite these challenges, the UN and its partners continue to work closely with the authorities to support those with the most severe needs, including hospitalized patients, pregnant women, older people and children. Since the launch of the Plan of Action last October, humanitarian partners have reached some 1.6 million people with assistance.
So far, the UN has received $42 million of the $94 million required under the Plan of Action but needs continue to outpace available resources. The UN reiterates its call on Member States to fund the Plan of Action and facilitate the timely and unimpeded delivery of life-saving assistance, including fuel for humanitarian purposes.
STUDENTS/CLIMATE HAZARDS
An analysis released today by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) shows that more than 171 million students globally – or 1 in 10 – from pre-primary to upper secondary age had their schooling disrupted by climate hazards in 2025. According to the analysis, storms were the most common cause of school disruptions last year, impacting 109 million students globally. Floods affected at least 70 million students, while heatwaves disrupted schooling for approximately 50 million children.
UNICEF notes that while students across all income levels were impacted by disruptions, three-quarters of students affected live in low- and lower-middle-income countries, where education systems often lack the resources needed to safeguard learning during climate-related emergencies. The report finds that inaction could result in a potential loss of at least $200 billion in lifetime earnings for students who experienced climate-related school disruptions in 2025.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
The UN thanks Rwanda and Sierra Leone for their full payment to the regular budget. The payment brings the number of fully paid-up Member States to 137.
**The noon briefing guest today was Alexander De Croo, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), who spoke with journalists from Kyiv in Ukraine, where he is currently on a mission.