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

10 August

• The UN Human Rights Office condemns Israeli Defense Force’s Strike on Al Tabae’en School in Gaza City (OHCHR)
• Statement by UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on the Situation in Gaza (UNSCO)
• Mahmoud Ahmad Al-Said remembers his birthplace and the ancestors who came before him. Seventy six years ago, the Palestinian refugee, who has devoted his life to teaching children, was forcibly displaced from his home village of Al-Birwa approximately 9 km northeast of Acre. It is well-known as the birthplace of the renowned poet Mahmoud Darwish. While the village and surrounding area still hold many memories for the 84-year-old, the community has since been completely destroyed and replaced by what is now known as moshav Ahihud in Israel and kibbutz Yas’ur. (UN News)

9 August

• UN rights chief condemns Israeli minister for justifying war crime starvation of civilians in Gaza (UNOG)

8 August

• Reviving markets is critical for recovery, says World Food Programme’s regional chief. Corinne Fleischer describes Gaza as “a terrible situation getting worse.”Over the past two weeks, 21 World Food Programme (WFP) food distribution points have been closed under evacuation orders. “Two million people are crammed into 14 percent of the territory.” She said.
• Statement by UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr on the impact of the recent violence and attacks in the Middle East on children (UNICEF | UN News)
• Thousands of people in Gaza have been fleeing west toward Al Mawasi after the Israel military issued a new evacuation order on Thursday, UN humanitarian partners on the ground have reported. (UN News)
• UNDP is collaborating with UN partners and local Palestinian organizations in managing solid waste and relocating it to safer areas, away from displaced persons’ camps and densely populated areas in Gaza, as the spread of infectious diseases increases. (UNIFEED)

7 August

• “My message to the world is how important it is to strengthen the role of youth in societies and to invest in their potential,” said 23-year-old Sarah Al Shamali from Gaza City, ahead of International Youth Day, marked annually on 12 August. (UN News)
• Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) – Türkiye files a declaration of intervention in the proceedings under Article 63 of the Statute (ICJ Press Release)
• Statement by WHO Regional Director Dr Hanan Balkhy (WHO)

5 August

• The Pooled Funds’ response to the escalation of conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OCHA)
• Investigation completed: allegations on UNRWA staff participation in the 7 October attacks (UNRWA)

Note to correspondents – on the OIOS investigation of UNRWA: 

OIOS made findings in relation to each of the 19 UNRWA staff members alleged to have been involved in the attacks.  

In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement, while in nine other cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff members’ involvement. With respect to these ten cases, appropriate measures will be taken in due course, in conformity with UNRWA Regulations and Rules.

In respect of the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023. The employment of these individuals will be terminated in the interests of the Agency.

• A severe shortage of fodder and water has resulted in the deaths of about 70 percent of livestock since October 2023. Additionally, about 70 percent of the Gaza Strip’s fishing fleet has been decimated. Only small-scale agricultural, livestock and fishing activities continue when security allows. (FAO)
• UN Human Rights Chief on risk of wider conflict in the Middle East (OHCHR)

2 August

• Statement by United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on the Situation in the Middle East (UNSCO)
• In visit to Lebanon, UN peacekeeping chief urges de-escalation (UNIFIL)