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

Highlights:
-Lebanon
-Lebanon/Humanitarian
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
-Yemen
-Ukraine
-Statelessness
-Women/Social protection
-International Day of Rural Women
-Briefings Tomorrow

LEBANON
The United Nations notes with concern the continued strikes across the Blue Line by Hizbullah and the Israel Defense Forces. Launches
In this regard, the airstrike on Aitou in North Lebanon which resulted in at least 23 fatalities, according to Lebanese authorities, is deeply concerning. The Secretary-General strongly condemns the civilian loss of lives.
The UN remains deeply concerned at the impact on civilians on both sides of the Blue Line but particularly in Lebanon. All actors must uphold obligations under international law, including International Humanitarian Law, and to protect civilians.
The UN also notes that clashes continue in southern Lebanon, where the Israel Defense Forces has conducted ground operations since 1 October.
In recent days the UN underscored our alarm about UNIFIL peacekeepers coming under fire, with at least five peacekeepers injured, and UN premises being impacted on at least 20 occasions since 1 October. The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute a war crime.
As the President of the Security Council stated on behalf of all 15 Council members yesterday, “all parties [are] to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises”.
The UN notes that the Council “… recalled that UN peacekeepers and UN premises must never be the target of an attack.”
The UN appreciates the stated support of the Council for the work of our brave peacekeepers who remain in position, in support of efforts to create space for a diplomatic solution to this crisis and support a return to a cessation of hostilities and the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
The UN reiterates its calls for an immediate ceasefire, noting this is the only way to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers as well as to protect the populations of Lebanon and Israel from further suffering.

LEBANON/HUMANITARIAN
This crisis has a huge impact on civilians on both sides, in Lebanon and in Israel.
In Lebanon, today, a 12-truck convoy carrying vital aid arrived in the villages of Marjeyoun [Marji-yun] and Klayaa in the south of the country.
The inter-agency mission – supported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, the UN Refugee Agency, UNICEF and the UN Population Fund – delivered bottled water, family hygiene kits, blankets, pillows and mattresses, among other essential items.
The UN and partners continue to support the tens of thousands of men, women and children impacted by the ongoing crisis across Lebanon.
WFP provides ready-to-eat food and cash to some 200,000 people on a daily basis, while UNICEF and UNHCR continue to support primary health care services and provide water, hygiene kits, mattresses, blankets and other basic items.
OCHA reports that ongoing hostilities continue to displace people. The national authorities in Lebanon report that 1.2 million people have been affected or displaced.
As of October 13th, the International Organization for Migration has identified more than 740,000 people displaced by the escalation of hostilities within the country.
Of these people, more than 188,000 are staying in about 1,000 government shelters.
UNHCR is working with the Lebanese authorities to upgrade the shelters with weatherproofing and rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities, as well as assessing more sites to host displaced people.
Together with their partners, UNHCR continues to support people in Syria who have fled Lebanon at five border crossings by providing water, food, blankets and mattresses.
The UN reiterates that all civilians, both in Lebanon, Israel and elsewhere, must be always protected whether they leave or stay. And aid must be allowed to reach civilians wherever they are, safely and without impediment.

Full Highlights:
un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=15%20October%202024

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