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

17 December

• Gaza: WHO and partners reached Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza two days ago, amid hostilities and explosions in the vicinity of the hospital during the mission. The team delivered 5000 liters of fuel, food and medicines, and transferred three patients and six companions to Al-Shifa Hospital. (WHO via UN Web TV)
• Syria: UNHCR urges continued protection and support for Syrians inside and outside the country (UNHCR)
• Syria: Situation Crisis Prioritized Response (UNHCR)
• Syria: Mr. Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator – Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Syria (OCHA)

16 December

• Gaza: Authorities in Gaza reported on Monday that more than 45,000 people have been killed in the enclave in the last 14 months, as humanitarians condemned new deadly airstrikes across the war-torn Strip, including on a UN school-turned-shelter. (UN News)
• Gaza: Facing winter for 1.9 million displaced people is a major challenge. UNICEF is providing blankets, tents and warm clothes as winter impacts the Gaza Strip. (UNICEF via UN Web TV)
• Syria: UN Syria Commission calls for protection of civilians, humane treatment of ex-combatants and the safeguarding of evidence of crimes (OHCHR)

15 December

• West Bank: UNRWA has been forced to suspend services in Jenin Camp (UNRWA)

13 December

• Gaza: Statement by Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Muhannad Hadi on the Situation in the Gaza Strip (UNSCO)
• oPt: Statement on Media Reports Related to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (UNDP)

12 December

The de facto authority in Syria is a designated terrorist group: What happens now?

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an armed group designated as a terrorist organization by the UN Security Council, has emerged as the dominant force in Syria, following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime. (UN News)

• Syria: UNDP Administrator’s Statement on Syria (UNDP)
• Gaza: UNESCO provides psychosocial support to children and youth in Gaza through art therapy, cultural, and artistic activities (UNESCO)
• Gaza: ‘Devastation is absolutely staggering’, says senior WFP official (UN News)
• Gaza: Muhannad Hadi During Gaza Visit: “People Here Feel Like They Are Waiting for Death” (RC/HC)

11 December

• Gaza: General Assembly Adopts Resolutions Demanding Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza, Israel to Allow UN Palestine Refugee Agency to Carry Out Aid Operations Unrestricted (UN)
• Syria: What do recent events in Syria mean for Syrian refugees? (UNHCR)

10 December

Forging Peace in Syria: Great opportunities, grave risks

Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime on Sunday, Syria has entered a period of profound uncertainty, and the UN will have a vital role in ensuring an orderly transition to renewed, stable institutions, continuing efforts to bring together different groups and factions which began at the outset of war in 2011. (UN News)

• Gaza: UN food convoy successfully reaches southern Gaza (UNRWA)
• Gaza: Transcript of the media stakeout by the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Ms. Sigrid Kaag, following her closed briefing to the Security Council (OCHA, UN, UNOPS)
• Middle East: Letter from President General Assembly on UNRWA- SG communication (UN)
• Syria: UNHCR comment on asylum processing suspension and returns (UNHCR)
• Syria: Statement Attributable to Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Ms. Najat Rochdi Following the Convening of the Humanitarian Task Force in Geneva (OSES)
• Syria: Nothing must stop peaceful transition, says UN Special Envoy (UN News)

NEW: Syria Flash Updates and Additional Information from OCHA

9 December

• Middle East: Remarks by Phillipe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA at the Doha Mediation Forum (UNRWA)
• Syria: Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the impact of the situation in Syria on children (UNICEF)
• Syria: Statement on Syria by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (UNHCR)