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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STEPHANE DUJARRIC

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

MONDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2024

In Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is deeply concerned about persistent reports of mounting casualties, with the number of Palestinians being killed and injured especially high in North Gaza Governorate, where the Israeli military operations are continuing.
In a statement on Saturday, Catherine Russell, the UNICEF, Children’s Fund head, said that more than 50 children had reportedly been killed in Jabalya over the previous two days alone, after strikes leveled two residential buildings sheltering hundreds of people.
Meanwhile, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that, for the past month, Israeli authorities have only allowed humanitarian access to Jabalya, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun on an exceptional basis, leaving us unable to confirm the conditions of people inside and we worry for their safety.
OCHA warns that the already limited humanitarian supplies entering Gaza have dwindled even further since October. Private imports are virtually banned, and Israeli authorities are only allowing the use of three entry points – Kerem Shalom, Gate 96, which is near Deir Al-Balah and Erez West. Furthermore, humanitarian colleagues can only access these border areas by highly dangerous routes. The use of most roads leading to these entry points has either been banned by the Israeli authorities or rendered unsafe due to the ongoing hostilities.
The routes available are often in poor condition and prone to armed looting fueled by the breakdown in public order and safety.
Our humanitarian colleagues note that supplies reaching the northern crossing at Erez West can only be sent to Gaza city, as requests to deliver them to besieged areas in North Gaza governorate are being consistently denied and rejected.
For its part, the World Food Programme warns that as winter approaches, the lack of food and other vital humanitarian supplies entering the Gaza Strip could soon escalate into famine unless immediate action is taken. In October, the World Food Programme has only been able to reach 42 per cent of the 1.1 million people targeted for food assistance in Gaza, with reduced rations due to dropping aid levels.

Lebanon/Israel
An update from UNIFIL, who is noting with continued concern the airstrikes by the Israel Defense Forces across Lebanon over the weekend, including in the South, in Sidon, Baalbek and Beirut, resulting in several casualties. In southern Lebanon, the peacekeepers report that IDF operations have continued, involving clashes with Hizbullah. Meanwhile, they also report that Hizbullah has continued to launch drones and dozens of rockets South, into Israel.
The increasing impact on civilians is of grave concern and we condemn the loss of civilian lives. All actors must adhere to international law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. UNIFIL premises also continue to be impacted. On 2 November, a UN position near Markaba, in Sector East, sustained damage to its prefabricated containers and perimeters caused by demolition operations being undertaken by the IDF.
A nearby explosion also damaged a UN vehicle at the [UNIFIL] Naqoura Headquarters, with no injuries reported. We once again remind all actors of the inviolability of the UN premises and their responsibility to protect UN peacekeepers.
We urge the parties to halt the violence immediately. The United Nations continues to support efforts towards a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution.

Lebanon/Humanitarian
On the humanitarian front, in several parts of Lebanon, the UN has been operating. Today, UNRWA delivered medical supplies and fuel for generators to the Burj Shimali Palestinian Refugee Camp in Tyre, in the southern part of Lebanon.
For its part, UNICEF also delivered emergency supplies to displaced men, women and children in other parts of Tyre. Those supplied included hygiene and dignity kits.
On Saturday, a humanitarian convoy delivered food and hygiene kits to displaced people in collective shelters in the Baalbek-Hermel area. A convoy delivered medical supplies to the Labweh Primary health care centre in the same area today.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that the humanitarian situation in the country has reached levels that exceeded the severity of the 2006 war, amid escalating hostilities.
The health-care sector continues to face relentless attacks, with facilities, staff and resources increasingly caught in the crossfire – further straining Lebanon's already fragile health infrastructure.
Yesterday, [3 November], an Israeli airstrikes near Tibnin Hospital in the Bint Jbeil district in Nabatiyeh caused extensive damage to a hospital, injuring dozens of people. Additionally, a separate airstrike near Baalbek Hospital significantly damaged the facility.
Since October of last year, WHO [World Health Organization] says that 110 healthcare workers have been killed while on duty. There have been at least 60 attacks on health-care facilities over the past 13 months.

Ukraine
Yesterday, we issued a statement in which the Secretary-General said he was very concerned about reports of troops from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea being sent to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment to the conflict zone. This would represent a very dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine, he said. Everything must be done to avoid internationalization of this conflict.
The Secretary-General also reiterated his support for all meaningful efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and resolutions of the General Assembly.

Ukraine/Humanitarian
Staying on Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that since the start of November, multiple attacks in the Kharkiv area, which is the country’s second-largest city, have injured dozens of civilians and first responders. This is what local authorities and partners on the ground are telling us. Multiple apartment buildings and commercial establishments have been damaged.
Complementing the efforts of first responders, aid workers have provided first aid and psychological support and organized hot meals for those impacted by the attacks. They have also delivered shelter materials, warm blankets and solar lamps.
Since the beginning of the month, Ukrainian authorities have also reported several [civilian] casualties in the regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Dnipro and Sumy.
In the capital, Kyiv, and in the southern region of Kherson, several national and international aid organizations are working to provide [cash] assistance.

Security Council
This morning, the Security Council held a meeting on non-proliferation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Our colleague, Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General in the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs, briefed on behalf of the Secretariat.
He said the DPRK’s launch of yet another intercontinental ballistic missile is of serious concern and represents a grave threat to regional stability. Despite numerous meetings of the Council in the past two years, he added, the DPRK has not heeded calls to refrain from further launches.
Mr. Khiari encouraged all Members of the Security Council to seek unity and to create an environment conducive to dialogue and cooperation. At this challenging juncture for securing global peace and security, he said, it is imperative to prioritize de-escalation and to work toward a stable and secure Korean Peninsula.
He also called on the DPRK’s authorities to facilitate the full return of the UN Resident Coordinator as well as the UN Country Team to Pyongyang.

Rosemary DiCarlo/Japan
The Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs wrapped up a visit to Japan.
While there, she discussed with senior officials the concerning developments on the Korean Peninsula, including the recent DPRK’s [Democratic Republic of Korea] launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile; as well as the reported involvement of DPRK troops alongside forces of the Russian Federation and the abduction of Japanese nationals by the DPRK.
She and Japanese officials also discussed the situations in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Myanmar, Sudan, among others.

West and Central Africa
Turning to West and Central Africa, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs informs us that the region continues to experience catastrophic flooding, with more than seven million people impacted across 16 countries.
Chad, Niger, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been the most affected. The floods are compounding existing challenges resulting from conflicts and previous natural disasters.
We and our partners continue to support countries response by providing food, clean water, cash assistance, shelter support and health-care services, but these efforts are severely limited by the lack of resources.
The Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, has allocated $38.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support Cameroon, Chad, the DRC, Niger, Nigeria, as well as the Republic of Congo.
This amount exceeds the total amount of CERF funding for responding to flooding over the past four years.
Our colleagues warn that the situation is likely to worsen, particularly in Central Africa, where the rainy season continues through next month.

Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO has launched the first round of a two-week "Training of Trainers" session designed for the Commanders of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC.
The programme will cover a comprehensive range of topics vital to peacekeeping operations, including Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, Protection of Civilians, Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, Child Protection, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, among others.
The programme is also linked to the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2746, which mandates the peacekeeping mission of the UN to strengthen their Southern African Development Community counterparts [SAMIDRC] through coordination, information sharing, and logistical assistance.

Deputy Secretary-General
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, convened a retreat at Greentree on mental health in humanitarian settings.
This was co-hosted by Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Wellcome Foundation and the UN Office for Partnerships, and WHO, the UN Children’s Fund and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The retreat convened mental health experts from governments, NGOs, UN entities, academia and the private sector to discuss the acceleration of mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings for communities as well as humanitarian workers and caregivers.

World Urban Forum
Today, the Secretary-General, in a pre-recorded video message, addressed the World Urban Forum, which started in Cairo, and continues until 8 November. In his message, he noted that world leaders have just adopted the Pact for the Future, which calls for ensuring adequate, safe and affordable housing for all -- and supporting developing countries to plan and implement, safe, just, healthy, accessible, and resilient cities.

Counter-Terrorism
The UN office of Counter-terrorism is holding a high-level conference today and tomorrow in Kuwait City.
The conference, entitled “Strengthening International Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Building Agile Border Security Mechanisms – The Kuwait Phase of the Dushanbe Process” is co-organized by our counter-terrorism colleagues, along with the State of Kuwait and Tajikistan.
The conference provides a platform for strengthening regional and international cooperation on border security in the context of counterterrorism.

Resident Coordinator - Honduras
We have a new Resident coordinator for Honduras.
The Secretary-General has appointed Alejandro Alvarez of Argentina as the new United Nations Resident Coordinator in Honduras, following the host Government’s approval.
He brings more than 20 years of experience in law, peacebuilding, human rights and development. He was previously the Resident Coordinator in Algeria.

NY marathon
As you know, the marathon was held in New York yesterday.
And we are very proud that one of our colleagues probably set a record for a UN runner.
Security Officer Duncan Nyasinga finished in just two hours, 34 minutes and 23 seconds.
He came in first in his age group – 45 to 49. He was the 11^th Kenyan to cross the finish line and the 191^st man to cross the finish line.
We are proud of him and we congratulate him!

Briefings today
Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the West Bank and Gaza, briefed reporters from Gaza on the polio vaccination campaign there.

At 1:30 p.m., the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Nicolas Levrat, briefed reporters on his work.