Gaza, Sudan & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Gaza - Occupied Palestinian Territory - Sudan - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Afghanistan - Resident Coordinator - Maldives - Briefing Today GAZA In a statement today, Tom Fletcher, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that the hostages in Gaza must be released, but international law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in. Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip, he said. Mr. Fletcher said that the humanitarian movement is independent, impartial and neutral and believes that all civilians are equally worthy of protection. But as the UN Secretary-General has made clear, the latest modality proposed by Israeli authorities does not meet the minimum bar for principled humanitarian support. He called on the Israeli authorities to lift this brutal blockade and let humanitarians save lives. And he told the civilians of Gaza: We won’t give up, even if the world has given you every reason to give up on us. OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian warns that humanitarian operations continue to be stifled by severe movement restrictions inside Gaza, as well as military activity and attacks that jeopardize the safety of aid workers and their premises. Recent strikes have reportedly hit residential buildings and tents sheltering displaced people, especially in Rafah and eastern Gaza City. As of this Tuesday, our humanitarian partners estimate that more than 423,000 people in Gaza have been displaced once again, with no safe place to go. With most commodities unavailable, attacks on humanitarian convoys and looting are increasing, including two incidents in Gaza City yesterday. This not only endangers the lives of aid workers but also disrupts their operations. The World Health Organization and its partners report severe shortages of vital medicines and medical equipment. They also warn that acute watery diarrhea cases have risen by 4 per cent compared to previous weeks, as the weather gets warmer and hygiene conditions continue to deteriorate. Meanwhile, our colleagues on the ground have not been enabled to retrieve remaining stocks of desperately needed fuel located in areas that require coordination with Israeli authorities. Eight out of nine such attempts have been denied by the Israeli authorities since mid-April. Our partners working to provide child protection support warn that children – who make up half of Gaza's population – face escalating levels of trauma, violence and neglect, as ongoing military operations, mass displacement, and funding shortages disrupt education and critical child protection services. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, today marks 100 days since the Israeli operation in northern areas began, causing a wave of deaths, injuries, destruction and displacement. To date, some 40,000 Palestinians remain displaced and unable to return to their homes. The UN and our partners continue to respond to the deepening needs of displaced families, including by providing food, water and sanitation assistance, health services, psycho-social support and cash assistance. Since the beginning of the Israeli forces’ operation in the northern West Bank on 21 January, and as of yesterday, nearly 7,000 families have received a first round of cash assistance. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=01+May+2025


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