The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

5 June

• WFP warning becomes a reality for millions as Middle East crisis pushes poorest families further into hunger | World Food Programme (WFP)

4 June

• Secretary-General Expresses Hope Israel–Lebanon Ceasefire Will Lead to Lasting Peace | UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases (OSSG)
• Secretary-General Condemns Killing of Serbian Peacekeeper in Lebanon | UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases (OSSG)
• Lebanon: Another peacekeeper dies in new attack | UN News (UN News)
• UNIFIL statement (04 June 2026) | UNIFIL (UNIFIL)
• Note to correspondents – on the work of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the Middle East Conflict and its Consequences, Mr. Jean Arnault | Secretary-General (OSSG)
• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the conflict in the Middle East | Secretary-General (OSSG)
• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the death of a peacekeeper in Lebanon | Secretary-General (OSSG)
• Food security under pressure: How the Middle East crisis is impacting vulnerable countries | World Food Programme (WFP)

2 June

• Increased transport costs mean less money for the lifesaving supplies children need (UNICEF)
• Lebanon hospital strikes impact most vulnerable patients, warns WHO | UN News (UN News)
• Strait of Hormuz Disruptions: The burden of oil price shocks on vulnerable economies | UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) (UNCTAD)

1 June

• WFP scales up response in Lebanon as displacement crisis enters third month and rising costs push food out of reach | World Food Programme (WFP)
• Lebanon: Families flee Beirut as Israel threatens renewed strikes on Hezbollah | UN News (UN News)

29 May

• UNESCO statement on ongoing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon (UNESCO)
• Joint Statement by the Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group and World Trade Organization (World Bank)

26 May

• Strait of Hormuz: Time running out to avert global food security crisis, FAO warns (FAO)

21 May

• WFP Middle East Regional Escalation Emergency Response External Situation Report #11 (WFP)

20 May

• Strait of Hormuz conflict threatens global food prices as FAO warns time is running out (FAO)
• Policy Recommendations to Prevent a Global Food Crisis | Hormuz Crisis 2026 | The Work We Do (FAO podcast)

19 May

• Developing economies bear the brunt of Middle East conflict as growth slows and inflation rises, UN warns (DESA)

26 May

• Strait of Hormuz: Time running out to avert global food security crisis, FAO warns (FAO)

21 May

• WFP Middle East Regional Escalation Emergency Response External Situation Report #11 (WFP)

20 May

• Strait of Hormuz conflict threatens global food prices as FAO warns time is running out (FAO)
• Policy Recommendations to Prevent a Global Food Crisis | Hormuz Crisis 2026 | The Work We Do (FAO podcast)

19 May

• Developing economies bear the brunt of Middle East conflict as growth slows and inflation rises, UN warns (DESA)

18 May

• Statement by the Secretary-General on the attack near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant | Secretary-General (OSSG)
• Overview report on practices and policies affecting human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem – 7 October 2023 – 31 May 2025 | OHCHR (OHCHR)
• Palestine: Killings, destruction and settler encroachment continues | UN News (UN News)

16 May

• Note to Correspondents: on the extension of the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel | Secretary-General (OSSG)

15 May

• Statement by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza: Rising civilian toll amid continued hostilities despite ceasefire | United Nations in Lebanon (UN Lebanon)
• President of the UN General Assembly urges the international community together with the parties to “work to end the illegal occupation, create a credible and irreversible pathway to achieve the Two-State-Solution”, 78th commemoration of the Nakba – Question of Palestine (OPGA)
• Palestinian Rights Committee, 428th Meeting (AM) | UN Meetings Coverage and Press Releases (UN Meetings Coverage)