Palestine, Lebanon & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

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

Highlights:

- Briefing
- Occupied Palestinian Territory
- UNIFIL
- Lebanon
- Syrina
- Sudan
- Sudan/Humanitarian
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo/Humanitarian
- Democratic Republic of the Congo/Peacekeeping
- Ukraine
- Colombia
- Uganda
- Philippines
- Honour Roll

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, arrived in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory today for a week-long visit. During his travels, he will engage with authorities, the UN’s humanitarian partners and those on the front lines of the response.
Today in Ramallah, Mr. Fletcher met with Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and several Palestinian ministers. He also held a separate meeting with Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, to discuss the challenges that emergency responders are facing.
In the coming days, Mr. Fletcher will meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials and visit areas in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Israel to see the situation, understand obstacles facing aid partners, and strengthen humanitarian coordination.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the UN and its humanitarian partners are expanding life-saving aid operations as more humanitarian supplies enter Gaza.
OCHA says that displaced people continue to move between southern and northern Gaza as they reunite with family and start rebuilding their lives. As of today, the UN and its humanitarian partners estimate that more than 545,000 people have crossed from the south to the north of Gaza over the past week. More than 36,000 people have been observed moving from the north to the south.
OCHA also notes that protection partners have distributed more than 30,000 child identity bracelets to children under the age of four to help prevent family separation. This effort was critical, as partners reportedly received more than 250 young children who had been separated from their caregivers while crossing to the north.
In North Gaza governorate, protection partners say three temporary sites have been established in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and Jabalya. Each of these three sites can host 5,000 people. Yesterday, the UN Population Fund reported the expansion of protection services for women in Jabalya in North Gaza, as well as in Gaza City.  
Also yesterday, the World Food Programme noted that prices have started to fall since the ceasefire took effect and as more humanitarian commodities enter Gaza – although they still remain above pre-conflict levels. One third of households reportedly have better access to food, but consumption remains significantly below levels prior to the escalation of hostilities. For most households, the primary obstacle is lack of cash.
Meanwhile, the partners working on education report that some 280,000 school-aged children in Gaza have registered in UNRWA’s e-learning programme.
And turning to the West Bank, OCHA reports that the Israeli forces’ ongoing operation in Jenin and Tulkarm has expanded to the nearby governorate of Tubas, resulting in further death, destruction and displacement. OCHA warns once again that lethal, war-like tactics are being applied, raising concerns over use of force that exceeds law enforcement standards. Yesterday in Jenin Refugee Camp, Israeli forces reportedly destroyed 20 residential structures where more than 50 families were living.
Meanwhile, tight movement restrictions across the West Bank continue to hamper access to basic services, leaving Palestinians queuing for hours at Israeli checkpoints, or forced to take significantly longer detours.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=03%20February%202025