The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know (2023)

Local people look at damage to a residential community in Gaza.
Local people look at damage to a residential community in Gaza © WHO
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What you need to know about the United Nations response to the conflict in the Middle East.

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Gaza emergency appeal

12 December

On Tuesday, the United Nations General Assembly resoundingly passed a resolution, supported by a substantial majority, that called for an ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’ and the ‘unconditional release of all hostages.’ In this vote, the European Union displayed a higher level of unity than its previous stance on the Gaza situation despite some opposing voices. (Read in full)

10 December

The UN Secretary-General on Sunday pledged that he would “not give up” on appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, adding that inaction on the Security Council was undermining its credibility.

8 December

Security Council failed to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza on account of a veto by the United States. (UN News)

6 December

Invoking a rarely used article of the UN Charter, Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday called on the Security Council to “press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and unite in a call for a full humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants. (UN News)

Israeli bombardments from air, land, and sea across Gaza have significantly intensified since 4 December afternoon.

During the month of December, the EU is planning to roll out 6 new humanitarian air bridge flights to get essential aid to people in need in Gaza. This brings the total supplies provided by the EU to over 1,000 tonnes, with 30 Air Bridge flights overall planned so far. (EU ECHO)

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)

KEY RESOURCES

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA):

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

United Nations

AskDag: Where can I find information about the State of Palestine's participation at the UN?

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Information related to shipping and seafarers - Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East.

Gaza Emergency Appeal

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