Noon briefing of 2 January 2026
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE U.N. SYSTEM
FRIDAY, 2 JANUARY 2026
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that humanitarians in Gaza continue to help the most vulnerable families as harsh winter conditions leave hundreds of thousands of Palestinians struggling in makeshift tents damaged by rain, wind and seawater waves or war-damaged buildings at risk of collapse.
Although humanitarians have distributed thousands of tents and hundreds of thousands of tarpaulins and other items across the Strip since the ceasefire, the stormy weather has deepened already immense needs. Partners estimate that more than one million people – or every other person in Gaza – still urgently needs shelter assistance.
Meanwhile, partners working in water, sanitation and hygiene are facing challenges in managing solid waste as the gap widens between the quantity collected and accumulated, due to the inability to reach landfills, damaged infrastructure and fuel shortages. Despite the impediments, UNICEF-supported teams have removed 1,000 tons of solid waste every month since the ceasefire, helping safeguard the wellbeing and health of children and their families.
The UN Development Programme noted in December that solid waste management is among the most affected services. Only a few of the temporary dumping sites are accessible and operational, compounding the environmental and public health risks.
In its statement issued on Wednesday, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, bringing together UN entities and their partners, urged the Israeli authorities to reconsider their plan to ban many international NGOs from operating. It stressed that international NGOs are central to humanitarian operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, collectively delivering close to $1 billion dollars in assistance each year. UNRWA stressed that the Israeli restrictions are compromising further humanitarian operations in Gaza.
Meanwhile, today, more than 50 international NGOs warned that Israel’s recent deregistration measures will impede critical humanitarian action.
OCHA underscores once again that UN’s international NGO partners are humanitarian lifelines. In Gaza, they deliver the majority of health, nutrition, water and sanitation services. The UN’s humanitarian response plans rely heavily on international NGOs for life-saving operations, including in the area of health, where these partners sustain large parts of Gaza’s health system.
Partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene say that heavy rains have damaged water-related infrastructure. With recent storms having raised water levels in the lagoons of Wadi Gaza and Sheikh Radwan, the humanitarian community continues to engage with the Israeli authorities to allow the entry of specialized equipment to keep de-watering pumps operating.
In the West Bank, OCHA says that the destruction of 25 buildings in Nur Shams refugee camp, slated for demolition since mid-December, is ongoing. These homes belong to some 70 families, who have been displaced from the camp, along with many others over the past year. UNRWA says that last week it supported more than 1,600 displaced families from Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams camps. The agency is covering rental costs for three months for families during the cold winter months.
UNRWA
In a statement issued on 31 December 2025, the Secretary-General condemned the adoption by the Israeli Knesset on 29 December 2025 of amendments to the Law to Cease UNRWA Operations. These amendments seek to further impede UNRWA’s ability to operate and carry out its mandated activities. The Law and its amendments are inconsistent with the status and international legal framework applicable to UNRWA and must be immediately repealed.
UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations. The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations remains applicable to UNRWA, its property and assets, and to its officials and other personnel. Property used by UNRWA is inviolable.
The Secretary-General recalls Israel’s obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. In its Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025, the International Court of Justice concluded that Israel is under an obligation to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the United Nations, including UNRWA, and its personnel, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Secretary-General reiterates his strong support for UNRWA, which plays an indispensable role in serving the Palestinian people – in Gaza and elsewhere in the region. UNRWA’s continued operations in Gaza contribute to the effective implementation of Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict on the ground.
UNIFIL
In a statement, UNIFIL said that on Friday peacekeepers on patrol near Kafer Shouba reported fifteen rounds of small arms fire that struck no more than fifty metres away from them. Less than twenty minutes later, peacekeepers in a second patrol in the same area reported approximately 100 rounds of machine-gun fire struck approximately fifty metres from them. There was no damage or injury in either case.
Peacekeepers assessed that the fire came from an Israel Defense Forces position south of the Blue Line in both cases, and UNIFIL sent a "stop fire" request through its liaison channels.
UNIFIL had informed the IDF about the activities in those areas in advance, following usual practice for patrols in sensitive areas near the Blue Line.
Incidents like these are happening on a too-regular basis, and becoming a concerning trend. Attacks on or near peacekeepers are serious violations of Security Council resolution 1701. We reiterate our call to the IDF to cease aggressive behaviour and attacks on or near peacekeepers working for peace and stability along the Blue Line.
SUDAN
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs continues to be extremely concerned over the impact of escalating violence on civilians, particularly across the Kordofan region and in North Darfur State.
In South Kordofan State, the humanitarian situation in the besieged towns of Dilling and Kadugli has continued to deteriorate, with both locations increasingly cut off, supplies rapidly dwindling and prices of food and other essentials spiraling.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that civilians who have been able to leave the towns arrive in several other locations in the Kordofan region and in neighbouring White Nile State. IOM also confirms continuing displacement in North Kordofan State.
In North Darfur, conflict and insecurity in the western part of the State, continues to cause new displacement, including across the Chad border.
In a positive development, earlier this week, Sudanese authorities confirmed the extension of their authorization of the Adre border crossing for humanitarian movements through until the end of March, ensuring the continued availability of this crucial entry point into Darfur for humanitarian supplies and personnel.
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, welcomed the news, reiterating appreciation to the Sudanese and Chadian authorities for keeping the crossing open, and noting that continued predictable access is essential to save lives.
WORLD BRAILLE DAY
Sunday is World Braille Day. This Day raises awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people. Even under normal circumstances, persons with disabilities—one billion people worldwide— are less likely to access health care, education, employment and to participate in community activities.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Syria paid its full dues to the Regular Budget (2025). Syria’s full payment brings the number of fully paid-up Member States to 151.
BRIEFING
At 2:00 p.m. today, there will be a Press Briefing by Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for the month of January.  He will brief on the Programme of Work for the month of January.