The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know (Jul-Dec 2024)

2 October

• Middle East: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on the situation in the Middle East (OSSG)
• Gaza: Over 1 million people did not receive food rations in August (UNRWA)
• Lebanon: IOM Launches Emergency Appeal to Support 400,000 Displaced in Lebanon (IOM)

1 October

• Gaza: Diplomats have been highlighting Security Council resolution 1701 in official meetings and in the corridors over the busy High-Level Week at UN Headquarters. (UN News)
• Lebanon: Concerns widening hostilities in Middle East will unleash human rights catastrophe (OHCHR)
• Lebanon: The United Nations and Lebanese government launch $426 million flash appeal for urgent humanitarian aid (OCHA)
• Lebanon: Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Lebanon (OSSG)
• UNIFIL Statement

30 September

• Gaza: 66% of the total structures in the Gaza Strip have sustained damage, UNOSAT’s analysis reveals (UNITAR)
• Lebanon: Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the situation in Lebanon (UNICEF)
• Lebanon: More than one million people across Lebanon have been uprooted by ongoing and deadly Israeli airstrikes across the country, including one reported early Monday morning in a residential area of central Beirut, adding to fears of a full-scale invasion. (UN News)
• UN experts alarmed by Israel-Lebanon conflict, strongly condemn escalation and urge immediate protection for civilians (OHCHR)

29 September

• Lebanon: WFP launches emergency food operation to reach one million people affected by the conflict in Lebanon (WFP)

28 September

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern on Saturday over the dramatic escalation of events in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, in the past 24 hours (UN News)

• Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on Lebanon (OSSG)

27 September

• At least 11 schools being used as shelters by internally displaced Gazans have been hit so far this month, with nearly 100 deaths reported, said UN aid coordination office, OCHA, on Friday 27 September (UN News)
• The UN Security Council debated the current situation on the ground in war-torn Gaza on Friday, where Israeli strikes have killed more than 41,500 Palestinians amid mass displacement and stymied humanitarian efforts as Israel continues hampering the entry of lifesaving aid (UN News)
• Attacks on civilians pile fresh misery on Lebanon (UNHCR)
• Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on Gaza (OSSG)

26 September

• Remarks by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini at the Ministerial Meeting Co-hosted by Jordan and Sweden on the Margins of the 79th UN General Assembly (UNRWA)
• Secretary-General remarks at High-level Ministerial Meeting in Support of UNRWA (OSSG)
• ‘Tragedy upon tragedy’ in Lebanon as death and displacement mount (UNICEF)

25 September

• United Nations launches draft early recovery strategy for Gaza (UNSCO)
• UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi, visit to Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City (UNifeed)
• Over 90,000 People Displaced by Latest Military Escalation in Lebanon – IOM Scales Up Its Response (IOM)
• UNHCR scales up support as people flee Lebanon for Syria (UNHCR)
• Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon (OSSG)

24 September

• As Lebanon mourns the victims of a wave of Israeli airstrikes believed to have left hundreds dead, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday against a return to the “dark days of 2006” when full-scale war broke out, calling for an urgent de-escalation and the protection of civilians. (UN News)
• UNRWA Opens Two Designated Emergency Shelters for Displaced (UNRWA)
• “Our worst fears seem to be unfolding.” Interview with Philippe Lazzarini (UNifeed)
• Lebanon and Israel: The Need for Immediate Cessation of Hostilities (SRSG CAAC)
• Lebanon: Alarm at sharp escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah (OHCHR)