Inside the Spotlight: Highlights from the Secretary-General’s Daily Press Briefing

The subsequent content is a nearly verbatim transcript of today’s briefing delivered by Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

**Security Council

Good Friday to all. Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the Security Council via video teleconference this morning regarding the safeguarding of hospitals in Gaza. He stated that the devastation of hospitals throughout Gaza surpasses the deprivation of Palestinians’ right to access sufficient healthcare. These hospitals offered refuge to thousands of individuals left with no alternative.

He noted that Israeli military actions in and around these medical facilities, along with the resulting combat, have had devastating consequences, particularly during a time of immense demands on healthcare due to the ongoing conflict. He mentioned that, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 1,050 medical professionals have lost their lives in Gaza. The High Commissioner is demanding independent, comprehensive, and transparent inquiries into all Israeli assaults on hospitals, healthcare infrastructure, and medical staff — as well as the purported abuse of such facilities.

Rik Peeperkorn, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, also addressed the Security Council regarding the situation in Gaza. He indicated that approximately 7 percent of Gaza’s population has perished during the fighting of the past 14 months, with many others suffering life-altering injuries. He added that the healthcare system is being pushed to its limits, with only 16 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals operating partially. Dr. Peeperkorn further stated that over 12,000 individuals in Gaza still require medical evacuation — which, at the existing rate, would take between 5 to 10 years to evacuate all critically ill patients.

**Occupied Palestinian Territory

In the meantime, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that civilians are experiencing increased pressure to relocate once more within the Gaza Strip. Today, Israeli authorities instructed those residing in the Al Bureij area of Deir al-Balah Governorate to move westward, citing rocket fire directed at Israel. The Israeli authorities continue to deny UN efforts to coordinate the movement of aid workers within Gaza. Today, 6 out of 10 coordination attempts were outright rejected. From the remaining four, only two were fully executed, while the other two faced significant obstacles.

Among the rejected attempts was our plan to provide supplies to the besieged regions of North Gaza Governorate. OCHA reports that the denial of humanitarian aid, especially to those survivors remaining in North Gaza, serves as a catalyst for further displacement. OCHA reminds us that many individuals across the Gaza Strip have already been displaced numerous times. They frequently have to flee amid intense bombings with almost none of their possessions. Moreover, individuals are coerced into moving to unsafe areas devoid of essential resources for survival. In this scenario, humanitarian organizations are doing everything within their power to assist people wherever they may be.

The World Health Organization states that 55 patients and 72 escorts were evacuated from Gaza on Tuesday for medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates. Since October 2023, over 5,300 patients have been evacuated abroad, leaving over 12,000 patients still awaiting evacuation. The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, indicated today that the Israeli Knesset bill to prohibit the agency from operating within the Occupied Palestinian Territory will take effect in less than four weeks. Mr. Lazzarini stressed that UNRWA’s teams remain committed to staying and delivering aid.

Since October 2023, UNRWA has conducted 6.7 million medical consultations in Gaza — averaging over 1,600 consultations per day. Approximately 730,000 individuals have benefited from mental health support and psychosocial assistance, courtesy of UNRWA. Additionally, the Agency, in collaboration with partners, vaccinated 560,000 children under the age of 10 against polio. Furthermore, nearly 2 million people have received food aid, and hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals have sought refuge in UNRWA shelters. Since the summer, UNRWA’s teams have provided learning activities to 18,000 children.

**Lebanon

Our peacekeeping colleagues in Lebanon are informing us that operations by the Israel Defense Forces north of the Blue Line have persisted, including movements further north reported in Sector East. This week, a redeployment was carried out by the Lebanese Armed Forces in Shama, located in Sector West. Israel and Lebanon have reaffirmed their commitment to the complete implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). To resolve outstanding concerns, we urge both parties to engage the newly established Mechanism, as agreed in the understanding.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is also continuing to emphasize the timely withdrawal of the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, along with the total implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) as a comprehensive pathway towards peace. The mission is prepared to fulfill its role in assisting both nations to meet their commitments and in monitoring progress. This includes ensuring that the area south of the Litani River is devoid of any armed personnel, assets, or weapons other than those belonging to the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL, as well as adherence to the Blue Line. Peacekeepers will continue with their mandated responsibilities, including monitoring and reporting all violations of resolution 1701 (2006) to the Security Council.

**Lebanon/Humanitarian

Meanwhile, we and our humanitarian partners are diligently providing vital support in Lebanon to those who remain displaced or are returning to their communities following the end of hostilities. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that approximately 124,000 individuals remain displaced, while over 4,000 people occupy 42 shelters. Concerning cross-border movements with Syria, as previously mentioned, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that — based on local authorities — approximately 90,000 individuals, including 20,000 Lebanese nationals, have arrived in Hermel in northeastern Lebanon. Among these, more than 39,000 are living in 175 collective sites and are in urgent need of assistance.

For its part, the World Food Programme (WFP) notes that in 2024, it reached 750,000 individuals displaced by conflict. It provided hot meals, food supplies, and cash assistance in shelters and communities throughout Lebanon. WFP is currently placing food supplies as close as possible to hard-to-reach regions. For example, a warehouse has been leased in the Bekaa to ensure accessibility during winter snows. Since September 23, 2024, WFP has facilitated 17 inter-agency convoys delivering crucial humanitarian aid to families affected by the conflict.

**Syria

In Syria, UNHCR has distributed essential relief and winter supplies to returning families in the Damascus, Homs, and Idlib Governorates, as well as to internally displaced persons residing in collective centers and unfinished structures across Raqqa and Al-Hassakeh Governorates. Meanwhile, WFP has swiftly adapted its capabilities to continue providing regular monthly support to 700,000 severely food-insecure individuals, including food and nutrition assistance and school meals, while also widening relief efforts for newly displaced populations. WFP continues…

is set to offer food and nutrition support to 2.8 million individuals in the upcoming weeks.

**Myanmar

Looking at Myanmar, our humanitarian allies inform us that the situation is worsening. Conflict continues in numerous regions of the nation, with recent intensification in Rakhine. Civilians are enduring severe dangers, acute food shortages, and a nearly total breakdown of essential public services. The violence has displaced over 3.5 million individuals, indicating an alarming rise of almost 1.5 million internally displaced persons compared to the previous year. As a reminder, at the conclusion of 2024, the nearly $1 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan was only funded at 36 percent. This year, humanitarian requirements in Myanmar are anticipated to hit unprecedented levels, with nearly 20 million individuals needing support, up from last year’s 18.6 million. The 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan intends to assist 5.5 million people, necessitating funding of $1.1 billion.

**Food Index

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced today that the index for global food commodity prices fell in December compared to the previous month, primarily due to a decrease in international sugar prices. For the entirety of 2024, the index recorded 122 points, which is 2.1 percent lower than the average figure in 2023, balancing notable drops in prices for cereals and sugar with smaller but still significant increases in the costs of vegetable oils, dairy, and meat.

**Mandela Prize

The United Nations is inviting nominations for the 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize. This award is presented every five years to two individuals — one woman and one man from different geographical regions. The Prize honors individuals who dedicate their lives to humanitarian service by advancing the objectives and principles of the United Nations. It also commemorates Nelson Mandela’s legacy of reconciliation, political change, and social reform.

The Prize is determined by a United Nations committee led by the President of the General Assembly and representatives from six Member States, along with five distinguished advisors. The Department of Global Communications functions as the secretariat for the committee. Online nominations for the Prize will be accepted until February 28. The award presentation will take place in New York during the annual observance of Nelson Mandela Day on July 18.

**World Braille Day

Tomorrow marks World Braille Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of Braille as a communication method essential for the full realization of human rights for individuals who are blind or have visual impairments. That concludes my remarks. Do we have any inquiries? Yes, Dezhi.

**Questions and Answers

Question: Okay. The New York Times reported that the UN is planning to close the office of UNRWA in the West Bank, in addition to Gaza. Can you verify that? Is this related to what I inquired about yesterday regarding the UN’s future plans? If those offices are shut down, what is the UN’s strategy for replacing UNRWA’s role in Gaza and the West Bank?

Deputy Spokesman: Well, prior to your arrival, I highlighted that the Commissioner General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that the Knesset Bill prohibiting UNRWA’s operations is set to take effect in less than four weeks. He reiterated that UNRWA’s teams remain committed to staying and providing assistance. I shared several statistics about UNRWA’s efforts over the past year, which are substantial. From our perspective, UNRWA is, as we have reiterated many times, crucial to the humanitarian response, and we view it as irreplaceable. The cessation of its operations, should this legislation be enacted, would result in tremendous suffering for those already facing severe hardships.

Question: But do you have confirmation that the UN is considering shutting down operations there?

Deputy Spokesman: As I mentioned, UNRWA is dedicated to staying and delivering. It continues its work and emphasizes the importance of that work.

Question: Which implies that the New York Times report is not entirely accurate?

Deputy Spokesman: We are proceeding with our efforts as best we can. The Secretary-General has made it abundantly clear that according to international law, if UNRWA cannot perform its mandated responsibilities, Israel, as the occupying authority, will need to assume those duties. Is that it? If not, have a pleasant Friday.

Question: Farhan. Farhan. I apologize for interrupting your weekend. I have a couple of brief questions I wished to add. Following up on Dezhi’s question, I’ve been asking from the beginning since the Knesset enacted their anti-UNRWA legislation if there have been any discussions aimed at finding a middle ground. It appears that we are currently in a standoff, with Israel proceeding and UNRWA asserting that it cannot comply, seemingly putting everyone at an impasse. What unfolds now? Are there any talks at all about reaching some form of agreement, or will this result in a standoff until the last moment?

Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn’t characterize matters involving millions of lives as a standoff.

Correspondent: A common phrase, but I appreciate your perspective.

Deputy Spokesman: Our stance is that we are devoted to assisting the people as much as we can, and UNRWA remains committed to its operations. If, for any reason, it cannot continue, the Secretary-General has already informed Member States that UNRWA works under the General Assembly mandate, and it would be the General Assembly’s responsibility to decide how to respond.

Question: Just to clarify, there are no ongoing discussions about reaching any sort of compromise? Is that correct?

Deputy Spokesman: What we are asserting is that currently, there’s no feasible way — and we state this factually — there’s no way given the human resources at our disposal and our community connections, that we could replicate in any short timeframe the activities that UNRWA performs on the ground.

Question: Okay. One last question. Last night, a ballistic missile was launched by the Houthis into Israeli territory. It was intercepted, but debris landed in an Israeli city. There was additionally a drone that was shot down just outside of Israeli airspace. Once more, there’s a consistent pattern of no comment from the Secretary-General. This has been observed regarding Hizbullah’s daily attacks for a year, and now with the Houthis’ continuous fire. One might conclude that either the Secretary-General intends to wait for an inevitable Israeli response before issuing a statement, as has been his practice, thereby equating the two responses, or he cannot comprehend that this ongoing fire will provoke an unavoidable Israeli retaliation leading to detrimental humanitarian outcomes. Why does he remain silent until there is an Israeli reaction to this continued fire?

Deputy Spokesman: We have condemned the firing, including from the very outset of Hezbollah’s attacks, regarding the firing from Lebanon into Israel. We maintain that there…

Question: When Israel responds?

Deputy Spokesman: We assert that there should be no attacks from any parties into Israeli territory. The right of the Israeli populace to maintain their sovereignty and territorial integrity is clear and fundamental. We believe that should be honored. Naturally, Israel is entitled to self-defense if it is attacked by external forces. We have consistently stated this. Clearly, we also recognize the necessity for both Israel and other parties to avoid escalation. We urge all parties to make their utmost effort to prevent escalation and to minimize any civilian casualties.

Question: I’ve only encountered, there are only, I shouldn’t say I’ve only encountered… there have only been two statements released by the UN from the Secretary-General concerning the Houthis firing at Israeli territory, and both came after Israel’s response, equating the Houthis’ firing and the Israeli reaction. I mean, it’s just a truth. So when the UN says…?

Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn’t characterize it as equating. We desire all parties to exert their utmost to prevent further escalation. We want all parties to work against further civilian casualties. Mike, you are aware from the noon briefings here, at this podium, we systematically condemn the attacks coming from the Houthis and from Hizbullah and have done so since the beginning of this crisis.

Correspondent: Thank you, Farhan. Have a pleasant weekend.

Deputy Spokesman: All right. Wishing everyone a good weekend. Take care.