The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know (Jul-Dec 2025)

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

29 October

UN chief condemns Gaza killings, urges full respect for ceasefire

Gazans walk through the rubble of destroyed buildings. © UN News
Gazans walk through the rubble of destroyed buildings. © UN News

The UN Secretary-General has strongly condemned the killing of civilians, including children, in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight into Wednesday, calling for all parties to uphold their commitments to the fragile ceasefire (UN News)

  • UN human rights chief says appalled by deadly Gaza strikes (OHCHR)

28 October

  • UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: With the ceasefire in place, UNRWA is stepping up its “back to learning” programme in Gaza (UNRWA)
  • Israel responsible for four genocidal acts in Gaza, inquiry chair tells General Assembly (UN News)

27 October

  • Desperate need for water and food continues as Gaza families head north (UN News)

26 October

  • Gaza’s ceasefire offers a vital chance for children – it must be seized (UNICEF)
  • The ICJ Advisory Opinion on Israel’s Obligations – Key Conclusions relating to UNRWA (UNRWA)

25 October

  • 1000 medical evacuations from Gaza: WHO thanks European Region countries who have offered care (WHO)

24 October

  • Women in Gaza: What they need now as the ceasefire holds (UN Women)

23 October

Ceasefire offers ‘lifeline’ but Gaza hospitals remain in ruins 

© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour | Bread is readied for distribution in Nuseirat, Gaza. Since the ceasefire took effect, flow of aid into the Strip has increased but needs remain immense.
© WFP/Maxime Le Lijour | Bread is readied for distribution in Nuseirat, Gaza. Since the ceasefire took effect, flow of aid into the Strip has increased but needs remain immense.

The Gaza ceasefire provides a rare opportunity to end one of the most destructive phases of the wider Israel-Palestine conflict, the UN’s deputy Middle East envoy told the Security Council on Thursday (UN News).

  • UNRWA Commissioner-General on ICJ: The court stressed that UNRWA is the key humanitarian actor with a “unique and sustained connection” to the occupied Palestinian territory (UNRWA)
  • Turk says ICJ ruling is crystal clear on Israel’s obligations in Gaza (OHCHR)
  • Fragile Gaza ceasefire marks ‘a momentous but precarious juncture,’ UN envoy tells Security Council (UN News)

22 October

  • UNRWA Commissioner-General on ICJ: I welcome the unambiguous ruling by the International Court of Justice today (UNRWA)
  • Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (OSSG)
  • The Court gives its Advisory Opinion and responds to the question posed by the General Assembly (ICJ)
  • Israel is obliged to let aid flow into Occupied Palestinian Territory, says World Court (UN News)

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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