Iran, Lebanon/Israel & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (3 June 2026) | United Nations

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Highlights: - Iran - Lebanon/Israel - Occupied Palestinian Territory - Yemen - Sahel - Ebola - Haiti - Resident Coordinator - Colombia - World Bicycle Day IRAN The Secretary-General is alarmed by the reported exchange of fire overnight between the US and Iran and by reports that Iran has targeted Kuwait and Bahrain. He is deeply troubled by reports of civilian casualties. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any further escalation that risks undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be fully respected. The Secretary-General condemns all attacks on civilian infrastructure and recalls that international humanitarian law strictly prohibits the targeting of civilian objects. He calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. The Secretary-General reaffirms his full support for all ongoing mediation efforts, including those led by Pakistan, and urges all parties to engage constructively and in good faith with diplomatic initiatives. LEBANON/ISRAEL From Lebanon, we are deeply concerned by the impact of the hostilities, as people continue to be forced to leave their homes searching for safety. In Beirut alone, an estimated 200,000 people were displaced from the southern suburbs following the evacuation order issued by the Israeli Defense Forces on June 1st. And according to local authorities, 30,000 families in South Governorate and 4,000 families in Nabatieh have escaped violence in recent days. The latest wave of displacement is putting severe pressure on already overstretched systems. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that as of today, nearly 135,000 people are registered in collective shelters, which are increasingly overcrowded, with thousands more staying on the streets and seaside, among other places. We are also alarmed by the continued impact of hostilities on healthcare. According to the Ministry of Public Health, night strikes on June 1st killed five people and injured 48 others, including a doctor and five hospital workers at Tebnine Governmental Hospital in Nabatieh Governorate. This marks at least the fourth strike since 2 March affecting this hospital, which is the only operating trauma hospital in the area. We and our partners continue to deliver assistance wherever and whenever possible, including clean water, hygiene kits and other forms of aid to the people who need it most. We continue to call for the protection of civilians, including health workers, and for sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access to meet rising needs across the country. Meanwhile, UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to monitor the tense situation along the Blue Line. Yesterday, the Blue Helmets observed intensive ground and air activities by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) across their area of operations. These activities included armored movements, large-scale engineering works and demolition, sustained logistical traffic, and air strikes. UNIFIL detected 70 violations of Lebanese airspace by the IDF and approximately 24 airstrikes conducted across both sectors by Israeli fighter jets, as well as one rocket attack by an IDF helicopter. Yesterday, peacekeepers detected 21 launches of projectiles from north to south, presumably launched by Hizbullah, including one that crossed the Blue Line. In addition, UNIFIL recorded approximately 826 trajectories of projectiles fired from IDF positions south of the Blue Line and within the area of operations, marking, for the third consecutive day, a concerning record high since 17 April. The escalating intensity and growing number of IDF strikes in south Lebanon, alongside the continued launches by Hizbullah, are deeply alarming and heighten the risk of further escalation. We call on parties to exercise maximum restraint, respect the cessation of hostilities arrangements, and fully comply with their obligations under Security Council resolution 1701. Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-03


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