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

11 October

• WFP scales up life saving food assistance as ceasefire unfolds (WFP)

10 October

• Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip (UNICEF)
• Gaza: Aid teams repeat calls for unhindered access to stricken enclave (UN News)

9 October

Gaza deal: UN and humanitarian partners ‘prepared to move – now,’ says Guterres

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Israel and Hamas to “fully abide” by the ceasefire and hostage release deal, calling it a “desperately needed breakthrough” that must mark “the beginning of the end of this devastating war.” (UN News)

• Secretary-General’s Press Encounter on Gaza | United Nations Secretary-General (OSSG)
• UN Relief Chief outlines 60-day plan to deliver vital aid after Gaza ceasefire (OCHA)
• Türk says ceasefire plan must lead to permanent end of hostilities, full humanitarian access (OHCHR)
• Jubilation in Gaza as news of possible ceasefire deal sinks in. (UN News)
• UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: The agreement to finally secure a ceasfire in Gaza and release the hostages is a huge relief (UNRWA)
• Mental health in emergencies feature profile: Ms Rajiah Abu Sway, Mental Health Lead, WHO in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) (WHO)

8 October

• Statement by the Secretary-General – on Gaza ceasefire deal (OSSG)
• Two years of hellish war have devastated Gaza’s children (UNICEF)
• Gaza: UNRWA’s Lancet Study Reveals Alarming Surge in Child Malnutrition, Underscores IPC Famine Confirmation (UNRWA)

7 October

• Statement by Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, Marking Two Years Since 7 October 2023 (UNSCO)
• Statement on Gaza by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA)

6 October

Release the hostages in Gaza ‘unconditionally and immediately’: Guterres

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres marked two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on southern Israel by reiterating his long-standing call for the unconditional and immediate release of the hostages still being held there. (UN News)

• Secretary-General’s message to mark two years since the attacks of 7 October 2023 (OSSG)
• War in Gaza two years on: Humanitarian access improves but acute hunger persists (WFP)
• Two Years Too Long (UNRWA)
• Major UN aid operation ‘ready to go’ if agreement is reached on US peace plan (UN News)