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.
Pregnant women and newborns in Gaza face “catastrophic” conditions, including a dysfunctional healthcare system, psychological stress and food deprivation, the UN reproductive health agency UNFPA reported on Wednesday.
A senior UN official on Wednesday urged the Security Council to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages, warning that the war has become “a nightmare of historic proportions” and it is “long past time” for the fighting to end and for hostages to return home.
Escalating gang violence and displacement continue to drive humanitarian needs in Haiti, the UN said on Wednesday.
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.
Worrying alerts from United Nations staff in the Gaza Strip who have been fainting from hunger and exhaustion over the past 48 hours have increased fears for people’s survival in the devastated enclave, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
The UN Security Council meets today for a high-level open debate on Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes, chaired by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to brief as over 80 Member States join discussions on strengthening diplomacy and mechanisms for conflict prevention. UN News, in coordination with UN Meetings Coverage, brings you live updates. UN News App users can follow here.
Warning that the world is failing to uphold international law as wars stretch from Gaza to Ukraine, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged all nations to choose diplomacy over division and recommit to settling disputes peacefully.
The Security Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging all Member States to “utilize effectively” the mechanisms for pacific settlement of disputes as outlined in the United Nations Charter, including “negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement” and other peaceful means of their choice.
"The Guarantor institutions commend the signatory countries for the progress so far achieved in the implementation of their commitments, and welcome the decision to revitalize the PSC Framework, as requested by the AU Peace and Security Council during the meeting at the level of Heads of State and Government on 17 February 2023 and approved by Heads of State of signatory countries during the 11th high-level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism...
Communiqué of the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region
Entebbe, 28 May 2025
After another deadly weekend in Gaza in which at least 67 Palestinians were reportedly killed seeking food, UN aid teams on Monday described “mayhem” and starvation in the enclave as the Israeli military pushed into Deir Al-Balah for the first time.
As tensions between Houthi rebels in Yemen and Israel escalate, the UN Secretary-General is “deeply concerned” about the renewed airstrikes on Hudaydah Port conducted by Israel this Monday, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists in New York.
The hunger crisis in Gaza has reached new and astonishing levels of desperation, with a third of the population not eating for multiple days in a row, a senior official with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Monday.
An agreement signed by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Congo River Alliance/March 23 Movement (AFC/M23) has been hailed by the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO) as “an important step towards sustainable peace.”
Gang violence in Haiti has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and many are finding shelter in former schools where belief in the power of education remains strong.
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The UN humanitarian affairs office OCHA is stressing the need to scale up support for displaced families in Haiti amid ongoing insecurity and violence.
Amid violent clashes in southern Syria’s Suweida governorate, a picture of grave human rights abuses and rising humanitarian needs is emerging by the hour, the UN said on Friday.
Major cuts to aid budgets have already left people fleeing wars in Sudan and beyond without the assistance and protection they need, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Friday.
Mohammed Saad sits with others inside a homemade cart pulled by a car carrying several passengers, waiting to travel to Gaza City in one of the “uncomfortable and extremely expensive” means of transportation used to get around the Strip.
Colombia has changed profoundly since the 2016 peace deal, but uneven state presence, lingering armed groups and mounting political tensions threaten to erode confidence unless implementation accelerates, the top UN envoy for the country said on Friday.
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening this timely meeting, as Syria contends with another episode of violence that puts at risk its path to a peaceful, credible, orderly and inclusive political transition. Before I brief you on the latest strikes on Syria’s territory, allow me to first address the volatile context.
On 12 July, a series of mutual kidnappings in the Druze-majority governorate of Suweida, southern Syria, escalated into armed clashes between Bedouin tribes and local Druze armed groups. On 14 July, the Syrian authorities started deploying security forces under the auspices of the Ministries of Defense and Interior, with the stated aim of “halting the clashes, restoring order, and pursuing those responsible for the events and bringing them before the competent judiciary.” The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Special Envoy Pedersen and diplomatic missions that some of these security forces were attacked by Druze armed groups, ten were killed and others were abducted. There were also reports of the authorities’ security forces carrying out violations against civilians as they entered Suweida.
The ensuing fighting resulted in hundreds of casualties among the Damascus security forces and Druze fighters, and tragically among Druze and Bedouin civilians, including women, children and elderly. Hundreds were also injured. There were further alarming reports of civilians, religious figures and detainees being subjected to extrajudicial executions and humiliating and degrading treatment. Footage of desecration and mutilation of corpses, as well as incidents of sectarian incitement and looting of private property, was widely circulated on social and conventional media, causing further trauma and fueling intercommunal tensions and violence.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), civilians caught up in ongoing violence continued to face serious risks, with significant displacement and reports of damage to critical infrastructure, including water, electricity and telecommunications networks. Medical facilities in Suweida and Daraa are at or near capacity and further impacted by the cuts to electricity and water. Commercial supplies have been disrupted and access to the impacted areas remains severely constrained due to insecurity and road closures. The World Health Organization has dispatched emergency medical supplies to Daraa to support trauma care, but deliveries to Suweida remain pending due to security access. The UN and humanitarian partners are engaging with relevant authorities and are mobilizing to send teams to assess the needs and provide essential assistance as soon as the conditions allow.
Mr. President,
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 (14) years of brutal conflict. Special Envoy Pedersen and his team on the ground are actively engaged with all parties to address the situation.
Against this backdrop, I take note of the statement by the Syrian Office of the Presidency condemning the violations and committing to investigate and hold to account those responsible for them. I appeal to the Syrian authorities to ensure this investigation is transparent and in line with international standards, and is also completed fast, not least to instill confidence among all Syrians that their State will guarantee protection and justice for all citizens without distinction. As this Council has underlined in its Presidential Statement of 14 March 2025 (S/PRST/2025/4), “inclusive and transparent justice and reconciliation processes” are both important and urgent for sustainable peace in Syria.
I further urge all parties to take constant care to protect civilians, including allowing them to move freely to seek safety and medical assistance. I call on all parties to safeguard infrastructure providing critical services like water and electricity; and to facilitate humanitarian access to people in need.
Mr. President,
Against this complicated and volatile 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. In this respect, I echo the Secretary-General's condemnation of Israel’s escalatory airstrikes, including on Suweida, Daraa, and in the center of the capital, Damascus. The strikes targeted the Damascus authorities’ forces and official buildings including the Ministry of Defense and the vicinity of the Presidential Palace, as well as the Mazzeh military airport. The Permanent Representative of Syria has informed the Secretary-General and the Security Council in his letter dated 16 July 2025 (S/2025/470) that these attacks have resulted in casualties among civilians and security forces. Israel also made statements regarding the redeployment of additional IDF troops on the Golan.
Mr. President, on 15 and 16 July, hundreds of members of the Druze community from the occupied Syrian Golan and Syria gathered on both sides of the ceasefire line, in the presence of the IDF, in solidarity with the Druze community in Suweida. Some from the occupied Syrian Golan crossed the ceasefire line and traveled to Hadar on the Bravo side before subsequently returning.
Mr. President,
In addition to violating Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Israel’s actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria at peace with itself and the region and further destabilize Syria at a sensitive time. 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 on the Golan.
Mr. President,
I take note of ongoing efforts to establish a ceasefire, including as President al-Sharaa stated, through American, Arab and Turkish mediation. The situation on the ground is fluid, and as I speak, there are troubling reports of renewed violence in some areas that appears to be targeting Bedouin communities after the withdrawal of the Damascus security forces. I hope that the situation will solidify into genuine and lasting de-escalation on the ground that includes all sides and stakeholders. I take note of the arrangement announced by President al-Sharaa that security in the governorate will be maintained by “some local factions and spiritual leaders.” And I welcome his tribute to the Syrian people’s sacrifice over fourteen (14) years and their aspirations for freedom, dignity and equality, and that the Druze community is an integral part of the Syrian social fabric.
Security and stability in Suweida, and indeed in post-Assad Syria can only be achieved through genuine reconciliation and with the participation of all components of Syria’s diverse society. I urge all Syrian stakeholders to commit to dialogue and emphasize the United Nations’ readiness to work alongside the Syrian people to support an inclusive and credible political transition that ensures accountability, fosters national healing and lays the foundation for Syria’s long-term recovery and prosperity.
Allow me to conclude by reiterating this Council’s call, in the wake of another episode of sectarian violence and avoidable bloodshed in March 2025, for “the implementation of an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations and based on the key principles listed in resolution 2254 (2015). This includes safeguarding the rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity and religion. This political process should meet the legitimate aspirations of all Syrians, protect all of them and enable them to peacefully, independently and democratically determine their futures.” Only then, can Syria truly emerge from the legacy of conflict and embrace a peaceful future. The United Nations, with the guidance from this Council, stands ready to assist in this process.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has deplored deadly attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan region this week, his office said in a statement on Thursday.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has deplored deadly attacks in Sudan’s Kordofan region this week, his office said in a statement on Thursday.
From makeshift furniture in Gaza to metro classrooms in Ukraine and solar-powered tablets in Sudan, the UN is working to bring education to millions of crisis-affected children.
Reporting “constructive” discussions on Cyprus, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres announced on Thursday that four previously agreed trust‑building measures have been realized, technical work continues on two others, and the parties have agreed to expand cooperation on youth, environment, culture and civil society.
A surge in sectarian violence in southern Syria and Israeli airstrikes reaching central Damascus have pushed the war‑scarred country into a volatile juncture, a senior UN official said on Thursday, warning that renewed violence could shatter prospects for peace and fuel wider regional instability.
The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) reported mass displacement in Swedia, Syria after five days of sectarian violence between Bedouin tribal fighters, government forces and Druze militias.
The Security Council met on Thursday afternoon for an emergency session on Syria after deadly violence in the south and a wave of Israeli airstrikes that reportedly hit military sites and key locations in Damascus. Khaled Khiari, a senior UN political affairs official briefed ambassadors, warning that renewed bloodshed could derail prospects for a credible, inclusive political transition and widen regional fault lines. UN News App users can follow here.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the Israeli strike on Thursday that hit the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip.
DPPA is requesting $800,000 in earmarked contributions for its work on Ukraine to enhance access to conflict-affected areas, conduct fact-finding, and strengthen political analysis and support to UN actors both on the ground and at Headquarters. In today’s dynamic environment, a fully funded Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) is essential to ensure an agile and effective UN response to one of the world’s most pressing political crises.
DPPA is requesting $1.7 million in earmarked contributions for its work on Sudan to respond to escalating crisis demands, strengthen political analysis and reporting, and advance strategic planning. A fully funded Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) will also enable follow-up to the Pact for the Future, which calls on the Secretary-General to actively leverage his good offices and ensure the United Nations is adequately equipped to lead and support mediation, good offices, and peacemaking in this rapidly evolving context.
DPPA is requesting $3 million in earmarked contributions for our work on the Middle East to sustain mediation, political analysis, and strategic engagement amid multiple interlocking crises. A fully funded Multi-Year Appeal (MYA) will also enable follow-up to the Pact for the Future, which calls on the Secretary-General to actively leverage his good offices and ensure the United Nations is adequately equipped to lead and support mediation, good offices, and peacemaking in this rapidly evolving context.
In Gaza, illness, poverty, mass displacement and depleted services are leading to soaring stress levels and causing an increase in domestic violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, according to the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA).