Famine conditions are tightening their grip on the Gaza Strip, as the latest UN humanitarian update warns of soaring malnutrition-related deaths, relentless civilian attacks, and mounting obstacles to aid access amid deepening crisis.
Famine conditions are tightening their grip on the Gaza Strip, as the latest UN humanitarian update warns of soaring malnutrition-related deaths, relentless civilian attacks, and mounting obstacles to aid access amid deepening crisis.
As Myanmar reels from deadly floods, renewed fighting and widespread displacement, the United Nations warned on Thursday that urgent humanitarian needs are going unmet due to escalating violence and blocked access.
Welcome to our live coverage of the third day of high-level international conference at UN Headquarters, aimed at advancing practical steps toward achieving a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mandated by the General Assembly meeting features plenaries, working groups and interventions from senior UN officials and Member States. UN News app users can follow here.
People in Haiti have expressed “despair” following the “abrupt suspension” of a wide range of humanitarian services, according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, in the Caribbean country.
Despite daily “tactical pauses” declared by Israeli forces, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain catastrophic, with children starving, aid workers overwhelmed and fuel and water supplies critically low, UN humanitarians reported on Wednesday.
With Gaza in ruins and the two-State solution in jeopardy, ministers convened at the United Nations this week to jumpstart political momentum toward ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – a crisis Secretary-General António Guterres warned is “at a breaking point.”
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
I thank the Permanent Mission of Pakistan for convening this important briefing and creating this opportunity to hear the views of the members of this Council as we conduct the review of United Nations peace operations mandated by the Pact for the Future.
The Pact recognized UN peace operations – which comprise peacekeeping operations and special political missions – as essential instruments of multilateral action for peace.
For nearly eight decades, these operations have enabled the United Nations to deliver tailored responses to critical peace and security challenges.
Today, however, their work is shaped in new ways by a number of trends:
Growing geopolitical fragmentation has led to increasing divergences of opinion – especially within the Security Council and among host states – around how our missions should function, what mandates they should be given, and under what circumstances they should be deployed.
Meanwhile, peace operations confront an evolving and more complex conflict landscape:
And yet, just as these threats are converging, increased competition at the geostrategic level is making international cooperation to address them more difficult.
In light of the challenges facing peace operations, there is a clear need to reflect on their future.
Mr. President,
As part of our reflections for this review, we went back into the history of special political missions since 1948 to distill ideas for the future.
During the Cold War, political tensions ran high and ideological divisions hindered multilateral cooperation. But this Council was able to find common ground through the work of our missions, which provided impetus for parties to settle disputes peacefully and avoid armed confrontation.
To mention a few cases:
In 1969, the diplomatic engagement by the Secretary-General’s Representative to Equatorial Guinea facilitated an agreement on the withdrawal of the Spanish forces stationed in the country, leading to the end of the dispute.
In 1970, envoys of the Secretary-General helped advance self-determination, such as in Bahrain.
In 1974 they conducted fact finding on the border dispute between Iraq and Iran.
From the decolonization process in Africa ushering the birth of new nations in the 1960s to Central America in the 1980s and early 1990s in the dying days of the Cold War, UN special political missions have helped Member States navigate political transitions at times of heightened tensions and advance peace and security.
Our support to South Africa at the end of apartheid furthered the National Peace Accord, amidst a charged political atmosphere as old structures crumbled and new ones emerged. Our political mission helped observe the elections that inaugurated a democratic, non-racial, and united society with the election of Nelson Mandela.
There are important lessons from this rich history of UN special political missions:
First, many of our political deployments were timebound and targeted. The focus was on a political task – as a matter of priority – and without a plethora of additional activities overextending their mandate.
Second, the missions were proactive in the use of the Secretary-General’s good offices, both through his immediate office and that of his representatives and the UN Secretariat.
Third, they came about sometimes with Security Council and Member State support, and at other times, they were a result of the Secretary-General expanding the diplomatic space in the most discreet fashion and away from the glare of the public spotlight and away from Security Council dynamics.
Fourth, the majority of these missions were nimble, easy to deploy, relatively economical to maintain and without major overheads and costs. In other words, small was beautiful. This is a valuable lesson to remember.
Fifth, the political and good offices work of these mission was based on consent, as must all mediation and dialogue be. In a time of divisions when external actors are viewed sometimes with suspicion and mistrust, it is essential that the work of UN special political mission, of small missions sent by the Secretary-General, be based on the consent and willingness of the host government, of the parties concerned and of the people of that country. The trust deficit we see today did not exist with many of our more successful missions in the past – this rich history must be re-explored and mined.
Mr. President,
Based on reflections on the past and indeed our present, I see three priorities to make special political missions more effective in the new era we are entering:
First, we must double down on diplomacy and peacemaking.
Politics, diplomacy, dialogue, and indeed peacemaking are the core work of this Organization. They remain our best tools—not only for resolving conflicts, but also for building trust, easing strategic rivalries, and bridging global divides.
As the Security Council recognized in resolution 2788 last week [on 22 July], Member States must make full use of the mechanisms for the pacific settlement of disputes outlined in Article 33 of the Charter. When they do so, special political missions can play an important role in advancing the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
To make peace, there is no alternative than to bring conflict parties to the table and help them reach agreement. But it is painstaking work and requires patient, often dogged, as well as responsive engagement.
Syria is a case in point. Over a decade, the people of Syria endured a terrible war, but changes in the political circumstances on the ground suddenly shifted the prospects for diplomacy. Thus, since December last year, our Special Envoy has engaged with Syrians across all of society, including the Syrian interim authorities, to support an inclusive political transition, de-escalate violence, protect civilians, and prevent regional spillover.
Second, to be successful, our political missions must be responsive to the needs of their host State or States – and, conversely, enjoy the support of their host State or States.
The responsibility for achieving political solutions rests with national actors. It is only logical, therefore, that national actors should be not just consulted, but rightfully heard, throughout the entire life cycle of a mission. We must walk away from missions that seem imposed by this Council or the international community.
Well defined mandates designed to address specific issues help manage expectations and maintain the confidence of the parties, as the work of our mission in Colombia demonstrates. The close collaboration between the Government of Colombia and the UN Mission there is a fine example of the possibilities that UN political missions can bring to a country implementing a peace agreement.
Just as crucially, given that peace is an all-of-society effort, our missions are most effective when they actively engage women and youth as well as civil society and marginalized groups in their work.
Inclusion must be at the heart of all our efforts. This means actively promoting the participation of women in political processes, as we have endeavored to do, for example, in Libya, in Syria, in Yemen, and in electoral processes in West Africa and the Sahel. Here, how we do such work matters, including through the use of digital technologies and AI to enhance inclusion, outreach, and new ideas for political solutions.
Third, we must maintain adaptability in the design of special political missions while ensuring that their core focus is always political.
When the Council finds common ground, we have the capacity to design profoundly innovative missions: from eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons through the OPCW-UN Joint Mission, for example, to promoting accountability for crimes committed by Daesh/ISIL through the creation of UNITAD in Iraq.
Special political mission run the gamut from envoys’ offices to regional offices, to investigative missions, to in-country field presences, to ceasefire monitoring missions, and electoral missions. They are diverse and responsive to the context at hand. But irrespective of the form they take, their core work is to pursue political solutions.
We must maintain this adaptability and this clarity of focus.
Mr. President,
Throughout its history, the United Nations has grappled with intractable conflicts and deep divisions, much like those we are witnessing today. We have been there.
Throughout its history, the United Nations has grappled with intractable conflicts, but one clear lesson is that amid acute geopolitical tensions, peace operations have helped Member States mount tailored responses to challenges to international peace and security. They exemplify collective action for peace. Their work is hard. It requires tenacity. But it is doable.
This review on the future of all forms of UN peace operations is a chance for reflection, self-awareness and honesty. We must ask ourselves:
How can we rebuild consensus and trust among Member States around these essential instruments?
How can we better engage with a laser like focus on matters of peace and security in which our missions have a comparative advantage – a re-emphasis on the politics?
How can we ensure that we have both Security Council and Member States support for such missions even as we enable the Secretary-General to utilise his diplomatic toolbox?
The answers are not easy. But we look forward to continued engagement with this Council throughout the review process and to working together to making peace operations a more effective instrument in the service of political solutions, and indeed for peace.
Thank you.
Appointed in November 2023, Ramtane Lamamra, former Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, serves as the UN Secretary‑General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan. Following the completion of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) on 29 February 2024, Mr. Lamamra commenced his work in support of mediation efforts, in close coordination with African and other international partners, including the African Union and IGAD. Mandated by the Security Council to use his good offices, he engages with the parties to the conflict, convenes proximity talks, facilitates political dialogue, and provides updates to the Security Council on efforts to resolve the crisis. These mediation efforts complement the ongoing work of the UN Country Team on the ground, which continues to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to the people of Sudan.
In an era marked by geopolitical fragmentation and rising global tensions, United Nations peace operations face unprecedented challenges, but senior officials told the Security Council on Tuesday that with renewed political will and strategic adaptation, these missions remain indispensable tools for conflict resolution and protection of civilians worldwide.
“The worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza,” UN-backed food security experts said on Tuesday, in a call to action amid unrelenting conflict, mass displacement and the near-total collapse of essential services in the war-battered enclave.
Welcome to our continuing live coverage of the high-level international conference at UN Headquarters, aimed at advancing practical steps toward achieving a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mandated by the General Assembly, the three-day meeting features plenaries, working groups and interventions from senior UN officials and Member States. UN News app users can follow here.
An attack on a prison in the south-eastern Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine on Monday reportedly left 16 prisoners dead and almost 100 injured, violating international law, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has said.
In an era marked by geopolitical fragmentation and rising global tensions, United Nations peace operations face unprecedented challenges, but senior officials told the Security Council on Tuesday that with renewed political will and strategic adaptation, these missions remain indispensable tools for conflict resolution and protection of civilians worldwide.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday warned that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is “at a breaking point” and headed toward a one-State reality marked by perpetual occupation and inequality, unless the international community takes urgent, irreversible steps to implement the two-State solution.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand following days of deadly fighting over their mutual border.
As starvation worsens in war-torn Gaza, UN agencies repeated warnings on Monday that Israel’s decision to support a “one-week scale-up” of aid is far from enough to reverse deadly malnutrition rates in the enclave.
A world in which a sovereign State of Palestine and Israel co-exist peacefully seems a distant prospect, particularly in light of the 7 October 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel, and the subsequent Israeli bombardment of Gaza. A high-level UN conference opening on 28 July will, nevertheless, serve as the latest UN-backed attempt to find a way to end the conflict.
Welcome to our live coverage of the high-level international conference at UN Headquarters, aimed at advancing practical steps toward achieving a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mandated by the General Assembly, the three-day meeting features plenaries, working groups and interventions from senior UN officials and Member States. UN News App users can follow here.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has reached a breaking point, calling for bold political action to salvage the two-State solution and halt what he described as the systemic dismantling of peace efforts.
The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, strongly condemned an attack by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on civilians during the night of 26 to 27 July.
A fragile de-escalation in Syria’s Sweida region is “largely holding” after weeks of violence displaced 175,000 people, killed hundreds and devastated critical infrastructure – exposing deep fissures in the country’s political transition.
United Nations agencies welcomed on Sunday Israel’s pledge to implement daily humanitarian pauses in its military operations in Gaza, aimed at easing the flow of desperately needed aid into and across the devastated enclave.
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Mr. President,
The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs briefed the Security Council on the situation in Ukraine last time a little more than a month ago. Since then, the daily barrage of Russian missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and towns has continued to intensify with devastating consequences for the civilian population.
According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in June, civilian casualties in Ukraine reached a three-year high.
In the first half of the year alone, 6,754 civilians were killed or injured.
According to Ukrainian authorities, so far in July, the Russian Federation has launched at least 5,183 long-range munitions against Ukraine, including a record number of 728 long-range drones on 9 July.
In recent weeks, the capital city of Kyiv and the historic port city of Odesa have been especially heavily impacted by the daily attacks involving massive swarms of hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles.
And while frontline areas of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine remain particularly dangerous for civilians, nowhere is safe in Ukraine.
Over the last few weeks, civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure have also been reported in western Ukrainian regions of Lviv, Volyn, Chernivtsi, as well as in Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk, with the last two cities reportedly experiencing their heaviest aerial attacks of the war.
Across the country, attacks have struck hospitals, schools, energy and transport infrastructure, and residential buildings.
On 21 July, a massive Russian aerial strike on Kyiv reportedly caused damage to a metro station where hundreds were seeking shelter. The same attack reportedly set a kindergarten on fire and damaged a multi-story residential building, resulting in dozens of civilian casualties.
On 11 July, Russian drones hit the city centre of Kharkiv, reportedly damaging a maternity ward at the country’s second-largest hospital, forcing mothers with newborns to flee.
On 24 June, a country-wide Russian drone and missile attack reportedly struck a passenger train and damaged more than 40 schools and kindergartens, a cathedral, eight medical centres and hospitals, and several residential buildings. At least 21 people were reportedly killed and more than 300 injured. The same devastating scene was repeated during another record-level attack across Ukraine on 29 June.
In total, since the beginning of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, OHCHR has verified that at least 13,580 civilians, including 716 children, have been killed. 34,115 civilians, including 2,173 children, have been injured.
My colleague, Assistant-Secretary-General Msuya, of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, will provide updates about the impacts of the escalating attacks on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
Mr. President,
We are also concerned about the increasing number of reported civilian casualties, reportedly resulting from Ukrainian drone attacks inside the Russian Federation.
According to Russian officials, Ukrainian drone attacks in recent weeks have led to civilian casualties in the Belgorod, Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Lipetsk and Tula regions of the Russian Federation.
Moscow and St. Petersburg have also been targeted with dozens of drones, reportedly causing severe disruptions to air traffic.
Following one such recent series of attacks, between 5 and 7 July, over 2,000 flights were reportedly disrupted in multiple Russian airports, including in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Nizhniy Novgorod.
The United Nations, however, is not in a position to verify these reported incidents in the Russian Federation, including any reports of civilian casualties.
International law clearly prohibits attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. We strongly condemn all such attacks – wherever they occur. They must end immediately.
Mr. President,
The intensified aerial attacks and fighting on the ground continue to pose a significant threat to the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites.
On 11 July, a drone attack reportedly hit the city hall in Enerhodar, where most of the staff of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) live, located only about five kilometres from the Plant.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the reported drone attack followed reports of an overnight shooting incident near the ZNPP on 12 July.
On 4 July, IAEA raised concerns over the reported loss by ZNPP of all its off-site power for several hours.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants – Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine – also regularly report of drones being detected near the sites.
These latest incidents underline the fragility of nuclear safety and security during the war and the need to ensure sustained attention to this issue.
We continue to urge the sides to act responsibly. Any nuclear incident must be avoided at all costs.
Mr. President,
Already at the end of last year, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine was assessed at $524 billion over the next decade. The most recent escalation of attacks is quickly adding to this toll.
In this regard, this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference that took place in Rome earlier this month, represented a significant milestone in the international community’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction.
The event culminated in over $11 billion in pledged funding.
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, Acting UNDP Administrator Haoliang Xu reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Ukraine to rebuild stronger—from advancing green energy and mine action to supporting community resilience.
It is crucial that the international solidarity with Ukraine is sustained as the country embarks on its long journey for recovery.
Mr. President,
On Wednesday, Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul for the third time this year.
We welcome the continuation of these direct contacts between the sides and urge Ukraine and the Russian Federation to make further progress towards a ceasefire and a lasting settlement.
We are grateful for the meaningful efforts of Türkiye, the United States and other relevant actors to help sustain the necessary diplomatic momentum.
We commend in particular the reported progress made in the humanitarian track of these talks, including with regards to exchanges of prisoners of war and civilian detainees.
Since late May, following the first two rounds of negotiations in Istanbul, the Russian Federation and Ukraine have already reportedly exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war, including those badly injured, as well as more than 7,000 mortal remains.
Each such exchange and repatriation alleviates the pain of the affected families and serves as a reminder that diplomacy can work.
We therefore call on the sides to continue such exchanges.
Mr. President,
On Tuesday, this Council unanimously adopted a resolution reiterating that all States “shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means through dialogue, diplomatic engagement and cooperation in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”
The resolution also underscored the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and meaningful participation of youth in dispute resolution efforts.
As the Secretary-General stated during that meeting, “Diplomacy may not have always succeeded in preventing conflicts, violence and instability. But it still holds the power to stop them.”
With this in mind, and recalling the Security Council resolution 2774 (2025) adopted in February, it is crucial that the momentum of the ongoing diplomatic contacts is not only sustained, but reinforced by genuine political will to make tangible progress towards ending the current dangerous cycle of escalation, as soon as possible.
The heartbreaking and rising human toll of the past nearly three and a half years of war underscores the urgency of a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as the first step towards a just and lasting peace.
A peace that is in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions and that respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, within its internationally recognized borders.
We remain ready to support all meaningful efforts to this end.
Thank you.
The UN Secretary-General has urged “utmost restraint” amid intensifying border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia as the Security Council met behind closed doors on Friday to address the most serious escalation between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in more than a decade.
As deadly sectarian violence continues to displace hundreds of thousands of civilians in Syria’s Sweida Governorate, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Friday that attacks on health facilities had killed two doctors.
In the centre of war-torn Gaza, UN staff continue to work despite the “unprecedented” destruction and suffering around them, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Head of Office.
Russian aerial attacks continue to intensify across Ukraine, exacting a rising toll on civilians and infrastructure, senior UN officials told the Security Council on Friday, warning of mounting humanitarian needs amid faltering donor support.
The UN Security Council is meeting on Friday morning to discuss the situation in Ukraine amid mounting concerns over the intensifying hostilities and growing humanitarian needs. Senior UN political affairs and humanitarian officials are expected to brief the Council. Follow our live coverage from UN News, in coordination with UN Meetings Coverage, for updates from the chamber. UN News App users can follow here.
The world is facing a “moral crisis” marked by rising authoritarianism, deepening inequality and a dangerous indifference to human suffering, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns in a powerful address on human rights.
Mr. President,
Members of the Security Council,
I thank you for the opportunity to address the Council on the long-standing cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in maintaining international peace and security.
At a time of growing geopolitical complexity, cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations such as the OIC remains indispensable. Guided by Chapter VIII of the Charter, such cooperation is a key priority of the Secretary-General and an important part of implementing the Pact for the Future.
The OIC brings together 57 Member States and represents a vital political, economic, cultural and religious constituency. Its voice carries considerable weight in some of the world’s conflict-affected situations. The United Nations values this partnership, not only as a matter of institutional cooperation, but as an essential component of our efforts to promote durable peace, inclusive governance and respect for international and human rights law.
The UN-OIC cooperation spans a broad range of country-specific and thematic areas. The biennial UN-OIC General Cooperation Meeting, mandated by the General Assembly, serves as a vital platform, bringing together senior representatives of our two Organizations to take stock of our cooperation and discuss ways to enhance it strategically. In the context of today’s complex geopolitical landscape and challenging financial environment, this meeting assumes increased relevance and urgency.
Mr. President,
In the Middle East, the United Nations and the OIC have long shared common objectives in seeking a lasting and comprehensive resolution to the question of Palestine.
Most recently, the United Nations and the OIC organized the annual joint Conference on the question of Jerusalem, held in Dakar on 9 July. The United Nations also appreciates the OIC and the League of Arab States for endorsing the Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza through their Joint Ministerial Committee. This Plan reinforces the collective push for a just and comprehensive solution rooted in relevant United Nations resolutions.
The upcoming Ministerial Meeting to support the two-State solution, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, is key to highlighting international consensus around these goals and reaffirming the principles sustaining the two-State solution.
In Lebanon, the United Nations maintains regular engagement with the OIC in support of the country’s stability. Amid recent regional tensions, the OIC’s consistent political backing for Lebanon has proven particularly valuable.
In Afghanistan, the OIC is a key partner in our efforts for a coherent and structured engagement with the de facto authorities in the framework of the UN-convened “Doha Process”. The OIC has also played an important role in supporting the human rights of Afghan women and girls through dialogue with the de facto authorities, drawing on its unique position as the collective and credible voice of the Muslim world.
The OIC is also a vital leading voice in support of the Rohingya, highlighting the need to address the root causes of their displacement and to create conditions for their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar, including the right to citizenship. The United Nations welcomes the continued coordination between the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar and the OIC in pursuit of shared objectives.
In Sudan, after more than two years of relentless fighting, the warring parties continue to pursue military gains. The OIC’s support to international mediation efforts, including those of Personal Envoy Lamamra, remain highly valuable as efforts continue to find a resolution that will prevent further disaster and return Sudan to the path of peace.
The United Nations welcomes that the ceasefire between Israel and Iran continues to hold. All international actors should speak with one voice in impressing upon the two countries to adhere to the ceasefire. The OIC resolution on Iran, made at the 51st session of its Council of Ministers last month in Istanbul, to establish an open-ended Ministerial Contact Group on De-escalation to work towards a peaceful settlement of the conflict, is a valuable contribution to international and UN efforts in this regard.
Across contexts, such as the Sahel, Syria, and Yemen, OIC Member States have lent important support to UN efforts to advance peace and security.
Mr. President,
We appreciate the OIC’s cooperation in addressing global challenges that transcend borders.
As Islamophobia continues to affect far too many people around the world and demands attention, we appreciate the leading role the OIC plays in confronting the rise of Islamophobia and all forms of religious intolerance. The United Nations stands against all forms of hatred and discrimination, and firmly believes that diversity in all its forms only makes societies stronger. The Secretary-General’s recent appointment of Mr. Miguel Moratinos as Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia reflects the United Nations’ determination to intensify efforts on this important issue, in cooperation with the OIC and other partners.
The United Nations and the OIC also cooperate on electoral matters. Through their longstanding and active partnership in this area, we have jointly implemented several capacity development initiatives in recent years. These have included co-organizing trainings on election observation and promoting women’s participation in electoral and political processes for OIC Member States. Our partnership has also included staff exchange programmes aimed at strengthening cooperation and sharing of experiences and good practices on electoral matters.
Our joint efforts in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism continue to develop. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in March 2024, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism and the OIC have advanced rights-based approaches through technical assistance, parliamentary engagement, and strategic dialogue.
Mr. President,
In a world beset by interconnected challenges that continue to grow and multiply, we must pursue every advantage and leverage every instrument we have at our disposal to deliver meaningful and lasting impact, consistent with our shared commitment to peace and security.
By joining forces, the United Nations and the OIC are helping to reinvigorate multilateralism and restore trust in our institutions. As we move forward with the implementation of the Pact for the Future, the United Nations-OIC partnership will remain critical to defuse tensions, advance sustainable peace, reinforce multilateral norms and principles, and promote equitable and sustainable development.
Thank you.
In a dramatic escalation of a long-standing border dispute, a deadly exchange of fire between Thailand and Cambodia killed at least 11 civilians and a soldier on Thursday, according to news reports. Both states are claiming the other side fired first.
After nearly three decades on the frontlines of UN’s peace operations – from Timor-Leste’s turbulent independence referendum to Western Sahara’s protracted ceasefire and Cyprus’ frozen conflict – Colin Stewart is leaving the Organization with his faith in it intact.
“People in Gaza are neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses.”
Amid growing geopolitical turbulence, the United Nations is deepening its collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to help address some of the world’s most complex and protracted conflicts, from Gaza and Sudan to Myanmar and Afghanistan.
Two former leaders of the predominantly Christian Anti-Balaka militia in the Central African Republic have been convicted of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Mr. President,
Members of the Security Council,
I brief you today as intensive talks continue over a potential Gaza ceasefire agreement and release of hostages. It is crucial that this leads to a permanent end to the war and the release of all hostages. It is long past time for the fighting to end, for hostages to return home, for adequate humanitarian aid to enter the Strip, and for recovery and reconstruction to begin in the context of a return to a political path towards a two-State solution.
While talks are ongoing, the horrific situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with Israeli military operations and hostilities expanding throughout the Strip and the human toll mounting by the hour. This nightmare of historic proportions must end immediately.
The intensive Israeli military operations in Deir al Balah that has resulted in still further Palestinian displacement and direct strikes on two UN guesthouses has further exacerbated the dire situation and impeded humanitarian operations.
At least 1,891 Palestinians were killed in Gaza since my last briefing on 30 June, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Some 294 were reportedly killed while attempting to collect aid, including in the vicinity of militarized aid distribution sites. Israeli forces continued to issue evacuation orders, causing the repeated displacement of the population. Food insecurity and the broader humanitarian situation continued to worsen, despite the limited increase in the approval of entry of humanitarian supplies.
According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages, including one woman, are still being held captive by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, including 28 that are believed to be dead. Since 30 June, 13 IDF soldiers were killed in hostilities in Gaza. Palestinian militants also continued to sporadically and indiscriminately launch rockets towards Israel.
The Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned the continued holding of hostages by Hamas and other armed groups. Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.
I echo the Secretary-General's call for the repeated displacement of the population in Gaza to cease. Any forced displacement of the population from any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory would constitute a breach of international law obligations. International humanitarian law must be respected by all parties, at all times, and civilians must be protected.
On 17 July, the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City was hit by an Israeli strike, which killed three and injured several others. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned what it said was a targeted strike on the church and said the extensive damage had forced the evacuation of some 600 Palestinians seeking shelter in the compound, including children and those with special needs. The Secretary-General condemned the strike, stressing that attacks on places of worship are unacceptable. The incident also prompted widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from Member States. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that Israel “deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit” the church and noted that Israel is investigating the incident.
On 10 July, EU High Representative Kallas announced that the EU and Israel had agreed on "significant steps" to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Since then, Kallas has reiterated the need for implementing the agreement, and that far more assistance is needed.
Since 9 July, following 130 days of a full blockade on fuel, Israeli authorities allowed the entry of a small number of fuel trucks through the Kerem Shalom/Karim Abu Salem crossing for medical facilities and other essential services. This amount is a fraction of what is required to run essential life-saving services in Gaza, where nearly every aspect of life depends on fuel.
Mr. President,
The situation in the occupied West Bank also remains deeply concerning, with high levels of violence driven by ongoing Israeli military operations, many involving civilian casualties and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, attacks by settlers against Palestinians, and attacks by Palestinians against Israelis.
On 1 July, Israeli Security Forces (ISF) shot and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian boy during an operation in Ramallah. He was reportedly shot from inside an armoured vehicle while walking with a relative.
On 10 July, two Palestinians shot and killed an Israeli man in the Gush Etzyon settlement. The Palestinian perpetrators were reportedly shot and killed by Israeli civilians at the scene.
On 11 July, Israeli settlers attacked and killed two Palestinians, one of them a visiting American citizen, near the village of Sinjil. One of them reportedly bled to death after being shot and the other was beaten with bats and sticks. On 16 July, US Ambassador to Israel Huckabee condemned the attack as a “terrorist act” and said Israel must ensure accountability.
Settlement advancement also continues, as numerous ministers and Members of Knesset intensified their calls on the Government to formally annex the West Bank or parts of it.
Further exacerbating the situation, the Palestinian Authority continues to face a dire fiscal crisis. The continued withholding of clearance revenues by Israel, amounting to 2.7 billion USD, has severely impacted the Palestinian Authority’s ability to meet its core obligations and sustain essential public services.
Since May, the Palestinian Authority has been unable to pay civil servant salaries, including those of the security forces, or provide social support. In an emergency session held on 17 July, the Palestinian Cabinet issued a stark warning that the Palestinian Authority may be forced to temporarily shut down vital sectors. Beyond the immediate risks to healthcare and basic service delivery, the Palestinian Authority also cautioned that similar disruptions across other institutions could erode social cohesion and undermine overall stability.
Unless urgently addressed, the deterioration of the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal and institutional situation could have catastrophic consequences, undermining the significant progress made over many years to build up Palestinian institutions. It is essential that the international community provide immediate support to address the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal challenges, strengthen its governance capacity and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza.
Mr. President,
In the midst of these multiple crises, UNRWA continues to face immense operational, political, and financial pressures. UNRWA’s operations have been impeded in Gaza and the occupied West Bank; 330 Agency staff have been killed in the war in Gaza. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s message that UNRWA cannot be replaced. And I cannot overstate enough how serious the Agency’s financial crisis is. Based on current forecasts, there is not enough money to sustain all operations in all fields beyond August 2025.
Mr. President,
We remain concerned by the precarious situation in the region, marked by sporadic developments and recurrent volatility.
The situation along the Blue Line remains stable but fragile. The Israel Defense Forces maintain a presence north of the Blue Line, while unauthorized weapons belonging to non-state actors are still being uncovered in southern Lebanon by the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL. In this context, the Lebanese authorities have reiterated their commitment to bringing all arms under the exclusive control of the State. I urge both Lebanon and Israel to honor their obligations under the cessation of hostilities and to take concrete steps toward the full implementation of resolution 1701, restoring and sustaining stability in the area.
Syria is contending with another episode of violence that puts at risk its path to a peaceful, credible, orderly and inclusive political transition. Fighting in Suweida has resulted in hundreds of casualties, including Druze and Bedouin civilians. I reiterate the Secretary-General’s unequivocal condemnation of all violence against civilians, including all acts that fan the flames of sectarian tensions and rob the people of Syria of their opportunity for peace and reconciliation after fourteen years of brutal conflict.
Against this backdrop, citing the violations against the Druze community and pledging to protect them, between 12 and 16 July, Israel resumed and intensified its airstrikes on Syrian territory.
It is essential that both Israel and Syria uphold the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement to preserve the ceasefire between both parties, and refrain from any action that would further undermine it and the stability of the Golan region.
Mr. President,
Repeated and increasingly desperate appeals for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza have been made in this Council. Today, the situation inside the Strip – especially for women and children – is more dire than at any time in this crisis.
I implore the parties first and foremost to end this war, release all hostages and allow the Palestinian population in Gaza to receive the humanitarian assistance they so desperately need. I urge all Member States, including those in the Council, to take all possible steps to bring about this end.
Urgent steps are needed to reverse the deeply concerning trajectory we see across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. Addressing the high levels of violence, including stopping the escalating settler attacks, in the occupied West Bank, alongside fiscal relief for the Palestinian Authority are key priorities.
There will be no lasting solution to this crisis without a political horizon to resolve the conflict and an end to the occupation.
The upcoming ministerial meeting to support a two-State solution, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is key to highlight international consensus around these goals, and reaffirm the principles sustaining the two-State solution. It is also a crucial moment to express support for the Palestinian Authority, identify ways to strengthen it, and encourage further reforms in line with its commitments. And to demonstrate, through tangible steps, our unwavering commitment to the two-State solution.
Our goal is clear: realizing the vision of two States – Israel and a viable and sovereign Palestinian State of which Gaza is an integral part – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.
Thank you.
The Security Council meets today for its quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on the worsening crisis in Gaza. UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari is expected to brief on the situation in the war-ravaged enclave where food entry and distribution remain severely restricted, malnutrition is rising, and fuel and shelter supplies are critically scarce. UN News, in coordination with UN Meetings Coverage, brings you live updates from today’s discussions. UN News App users can follow here.
Escalating gang violence and displacement continue to drive humanitarian needs in Haiti, the UN said on Wednesday.
