Middle East, Occupied Palestinian Territories, UNRWA & other topics - Daily Press Briefing

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
Middle East
Occupied Palestinian Territories
UNRWA
Lebanon
Deputy Secretary-General
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Haiti


MIDDLE EAST
The Secretary-General addressed the Security Council on the Middle East this morning and he said that recent days have seen a perilous escalation – in words and deeds. One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable – a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved – and for the rest of the world, he said. The Secretary-General said that the international community must work together to prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians.
Mr. Guterres said that ending the hostilities in Gaza would significantly defuse tensions across the region and he reiterated his calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza.
And he said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza, he said that apparent progress in one area is often cancelled out by delays and restrictions elsewhere. The full remarks were shared with you.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Also I have an update for you on the situation on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The World Food Programme reported that this week, two of the agency’s convoys crossed into Gaza from Ashdod Port, and they came into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing point. The first convoy on Tuesday was eight trucks, followed by a second convoy on Wednesday with seven trucks. In total, they delivered 374 metric tonnes of wheat flour. WFP says that 14 additional trucks are being loaded today and we hope they will depart soon.
As part of the emergency response, the agency has shipped some 2,700 metric tonnes of wheat flour to Ashdod Port in southern Israel. The World Food Programme says the sustained use of that port – as well as a smoother movement of convoys via Kerem Shalom into Gaza – will notably reduce the waiting time for cargo to enter the Gaza Strip.
The World Food Programme also reported today that this week, three of its convoys – 25 trucks in total – crossed into northern Gaza via the Erez crossing – and that’s for the first time. The convoys – which moved on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday – brought in more than 400 metric tonnes of food and wheat flour, that will help nearly 80,000 people.
The agency warns that the only way to halt famine is through daily deliveries of food supplies. This requires conditions that allow humanitarian staff and supplies to move freely – and the people in need to access assistance safely.
Meanwhile, Sigrid Kaag, our Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, has just concluded yet another visit to the Gaza Strip. While there, she went to Khan Younis where she witnessed the war’s impact on Palestinian civilians firsthand. While there, Ms. Kaag visited a maternity ward in an International Medical Corps field hospital, as well as the Nasser Medical complex. She spoke with the director and medical staff at Nasser about the challenges of securing entry and supplies of urgently needed medical items.
And a short time ago, Ms. Kaag went to Tel Aviv following her visit to Gaza and just concluded a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other Israeli cabinet officials.

U.N.R.W.A.
And just for the record you will have seen that Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), told the Security Council yesterday that six months of relentless bombardment and a merciless siege have transformed Gaza beyond recognition.
He said that in the north, infants and young children have begun to die of malnutrition and dehydration. Across the border, food and clean water wait, he added, but UNRWA has been denied permission to deliver this aid and save lives.
Mr. Lazzarini reminded Council members that the Agency exists because a political solution does not; it exists in lieu of a State that can deliver critical public services.
His remarks were shared with you.

Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=18%20April%202024