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

27 October

With the humanitarian system in Gaza on the verge of “total collapse”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres again appealed for greater aid access to the besieged enclave, where “misery is growing by the minute.” (UN News)

On the same day, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. It also demands “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave, as news reports suggest Israel has expanded ground operations and intensified its bombing campaign. (UN News)

26 October

From Saturday through Tuesday – 62 trucks travelled through the Rafah crossing with Egypt into Gaza, carrying water, food and medical supplies.

Most of this aid has already reached hospitals, ambulances and internally displaced people. However, the daily average of trucks allowed into Gaza prior to the hostilities was about 500. (OCHA)

The United Nations General Assembly held an emergency special session on the Israel-Palestine crisis, amid continuing deadlock in the Security Council and with conditions in the besieged enclave of Gaza growing more dire by the hour.

25 October

The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday firmly rebuked what he described as the “false” claim by top Israeli diplomats that he had sought to justify the terror attacks of 7 October by Hamas in a speech he delivered to the Security Council.

Humanitarian operations in Gaza risked grinding to a halt on Wednesday due to the ongoing fuel blockade. (UN News)

The Security Council failed to adopt either of two competing draft resolutions — one from the United States, the other from the Russian Federation — addressing the raging war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

24 October

United Nations Day celebrations were overshadowed this year as staff paid tribute to 35 UNRWA colleagues who have been killed in Gaza since 7 October.

According to UNICEF, 400 children reportedly either killed or injured daily.

Since Saturday 21 October, a total of 54 trucks reached Gaza. These convoys did not include much-needed fuel. UNRWA will run out of fuel within the next two days, putting at risk the delivery of humanitarian aid to people in need.

At the Security Council in New York, the UN chief said the situation “is growing more dire by the hour”, repeating his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The situation in the Middle East is growing more dire by the hour.

At a crucial moment like this, it is vital to be clear on the fundamental principle of respecting & protecting civilians. pic.twitter.com/TpDcQz0Bkc

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 25, 2023

The Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan called on the UN Secretary-General to “resign immediately” in a tweet, and at the stakeout outside the Security Council. (UN News)

A total of 704 Palestinians have been killed over the past 24 hours (as of 18:00 on 24 October), according to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza. This is the highest fatality toll reported in a single day in Gaza. The cumulative number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has reached 5,791, of whom 68 per cent are children and women. (OCHA Flash Update #18)