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

What you need to know about the United Nations response to the conflict in the Middle East.

14 May

  • The impact of the Middle East conflict on developing economies (UN DESA)
  • Gaza reconstruction envisages building ‘islands’ out of rubble | UN News (UN News)

13 May

  • Lebanon: UN peacekeeping force warns drone incidents near its positions are putting personnel at risk (UN News)
  • Türk urges repeal of special military tribunal law passed by Israeli Knesset | OHCHR (OHCHR)

12 May

  • UN Geneva – Multimedia Newsroom : Occupied West Bank, Gaza update – UNICEF, WHO (UNOG Newsroom)
  • Children shot, stabbed and pepper-sprayed in occupied West Bank | UN News (UN News)
  • A demolition of homes, of schools, and of childhood (UNICEF)
  • WHO EMRO – One in four injuries in Gaza is life-changing while rehabilitation services struggle to keep pace, WHO reports (WHO)

11 May

  • Strait of Hormuz de-escalation is urgent, says UN chief | UN News (UN News)
  • In Focus: Supporting women and girls affected by the war on Gaza | UN Women – Headquarters (UN Women)

10 May

  • WFP Middle East Regional Escalation Emergency Response External Situation Report #10, 10 May 2026 (WFP)

8 May

  • Ongoing killing and displacement of women and girls in Lebanon under a fragile ceasefire | UN Women – Headquarters (UN Women)

7 May

  • Strait of Hormuz crisis: Fertilizer scarcity will affect next harvests and food supplies, FAO warns (FAO)
  • UN / IRAN PRESS ENCOUNTER (UNifeed)

6 May

  • UNESCO strengthens cultural emergency preparedness and response across Middle East (UNESCO)
  • “Every minute felt endless”: Pregnant women displaced in Lebanon carry life through crisis | United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

5 May

In Lebanon, the same fears and dangers persist despite ceasefire

© UNICEF A damaged ambulance in Tebnine in southern Lebanon.
© UNICEF A damaged ambulance in Tebnine in southern Lebanon.

Death and destruction have continued unabated in Lebanon while communities are still unable to return to their homes despite a ceasefire that began on 17 April, humanitarians said on Tuesday. (UN News)

  • Despite announced ceasefire, more people are forced to flee their homes in Lebanon (UNHCR)
  • Middle East conflict fuels bread shortage in hungry Gaza | World Food Programme (WFP)

4 May

  • Middle East: Fighting and displacement in Lebanon; call for ‘sustained access’ in Gaza (UN News)
  • Uncertainty continues over safety in the Strait of Hormuz (UN News)

3 May

  • WFP Middle East Regional Escalation External Situation Report (WFP)

The UN Charter remains humanity’s best hope for peace.

Amid geopolitical divisions, member countries must uphold it & ensure that the UN lives up to what it was meant to be:

A forum for solutions.

A guardian of international law.

And a force for peace and security.

António Guterres

Secretary-General of the United Nations (27 May 2026)

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