The UN and the crisis in the Middle East: What you need to know

31 January

As of 31 January, according to UNRWA, there are an estimated 1.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Gaza Strip; UNICEF estimates that these include some 17,000 children who are unaccompanied or separated, “each one, a heartbreaking story of loss and grief.”

30 January

Apart from a political decision, which would have to be made by the General Assembly, “there is no way any organization can replace or substitute the tremendous capacity and the fabric of UNRWA and its ability and knowledge,” Sigrid Kaag, Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, told correspondents at a stakeout outside the Security Council Chamber in New York.

Deadly clashes and shelling continued in Khan Younis in southern Gaza overnight into Wednesday as top UN humanitarians and NGO chiefs warned of the “catastrophic consequences” of defunding UNRWA.

23 January

Top diplomats debated the deepening crisis in the Gaza Strip and the whole Middle East in the UN Security Council on Tuesday against the backdrop of Israel’s unrelenting military operation, mounting death toll and escalating global calls for an immediate ceasefire. The UN Secretary-General told ambassadors and foreign ministers that any refusal to accept a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict “must be firmly rejected”, as the Council is poised to reconvene on Wednesday afternoon to hear more from the wider UN membership.

15 January 

Addressing reporters at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday, the UN Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the “unprecedented” level of civilian casualties and the “catastrophic” humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

12 January 

The UN Security Council met on 12 January for briefings on the worsening situation across the Middle East, looking first at threats of forced displacement from Gaza and then the escalating conflict in and around the Red Sea.

5 January 

Some 613 people have died within health facilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October last year – 606 in Gaza and seven in the West Bank – and more than 770 have been injured, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

2 January 2024

UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP), highlighted the threat of starvation and disease in heavily built-up areas, where tens of thousands of people have fled intense bombing campaigns in the enclave’s north and centre.

29 December

On 29 December 2023, the Republic of South Africa instituted proceedings against the State of Israel before the International Court of Justice concerning alleged violations by Israel of its obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and requested the ICJ to indicate provisional measures.

28 December

UN rights chief Volker Türk warned of rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in the West Bank and called on Israel to end unlawful killings and settler violence against the Palestinian population. (OHCHR report)

26 December

Over 100s patients had been brought into Al-Aqsa Hospital on 25 December, following reported blasts, including near Al-Maghazi refugee camp. Medics in Gaza continued to try to save victims of missile strikes including attacks near refugee camps in the centre of the devastated enclave that have reportedly killed well over 100 people. (UN News)