In a landmark mission to Syria, the UN probe into the most serious rights violations committed in the country since 2011 has called on caretaker authorities to take immediate measures to protect mass grave sites and preserve critical evidence.
Hunger, dire living conditions made worse by heavy winter rains and ongoing hostilities continue to endanger people’s lives in Gaza, which has become “a graveyard”, UN humanitarians warned on Friday.
The head of the UN migration agency stressed on Friday that Syria is in no position to take back millions of Syrians following the fall of the Assad regime, while there is an urgent need to “re-evaluate” sanctions impacting the war-ravaged country.
West Africa and the Sahel continue to grapple with a confluence of political, security and humanitarian crises as countries prepares for pivotal elections in 2025, the UN special envoy for the vast region told ambassadors in the Security Council on Friday.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan - particularly around besieged El Fasher – and a growing refugee crisis on the South Sudan border, have intensified an already alarming humanitarian crisis, according to UN agencies on Friday.
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday urged the Security Council to act decisively to establish international guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI), warning that delays could heighten risks to global peace and security.
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday urged the Security Council to act decisively to establish international guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI), warning that delays could heighten risks to global peace and security.
Around 1.3 million Syrians have received food aid in the past three weeks across Syria from the UN and partners, as the restoration of key services begins in some of the relatively stable areas of the country.
A senior UN humanitarian official on Thursday issued an urgent plea for international support to alleviate the devastating toll of the ongoing war in Sudan, as millions remain in desperate need of aid and protection.
The head of the UN aid coordination office in Gaza, Georgios Petropoulos, issued a harrowing update on the dire situation in the enclave on Thursday, describing it as "the most dangerous place on earth right now."
In Ukraine, the UN continues to provide aid and support to communities impacted by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
A flame of hope burns bright today in Syria – but if it’s not carefully managed by both Syrians themselves and the international community, it risks being extinguished.
The UN Secretary-General on Thursday urged the Security Council to act decisively to establish international guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI), warning that delays could heighten risks to global peace and security.
Madam President,
I have been asked to brief the Security Council today Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) adherence to the non-proliferation regime and on its military engagements.
The DPRK has been actively working towards acquiring new military capabilities in line with the five-year military development plan it unveiled in January 2021.
In 2024, the DPRK launched one intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), four intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM), and multiple short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM). It also attempted to launch a military reconnaissance satellite.
The IRBM launches were associated with the testing of what the DPRK notes to be “hypersonic maneuverable controlled warheads” and multiple warhead missiles.
Also, there are indications that the DPRK continues to actively pursue its nuclear programme.
In September, DPRK state media reported on an inspection of a “uranium enrichment base” by the DPRK leader. This appears to corroborate earlier reports about the existence of a second, yet-to-be-declared, uranium enrichment plant in Kangson, in addition to the uranium enrichment facility in Yongbyon.
Further, on 20 November, the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the Agency observed that the 5-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon was not operating between mid-August and mid-October.
According to IAEA experts, that gap would have provided sufficient time to refuel the reactor and start its seventh operational cycle.
Also, in November this year, the DPRK openly displayed its weapon delivery systems during an exhibition in Pyongyang. The authorities showcased the latest solid-fuel “Hwasong-19” ICBM, which the DPRK launched for the first time on 31 October.
The missile set new records for the longest flight length and altitude reached by any DPRK ICBM launch.
The Hwasong-19 and other weapons systems in the exhibition are produced in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. Their open display demonstrates that the DPRK is far from slowing down its ballistic missile programme.
The DPRK’s pursuit of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes undermines the global nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.
As we approach 2025, the final year of the DPRK’s current five-year military plan, we reiterate our calls on the DPRK to fully comply with its international obligations.
Madam President,
International attention has also recently focused on the reported increase in military cooperation between the DPRK and the Russian Federation.
According to media reports, since 2023, the DPRK has transferred to the Russian Federation more than 13,000 containers of ammunition, missiles and artillery.
The latter include 170mm self-propelled guns and 240mm multiple rocket systems. Russian forces have also reportedly used SRBMs from the DPRK to strike Ukraine.
Further, and again based on media reports, more than 10,000 DPRK troops have been sent to the Russian Federation since October, where they have received training and equipment.
According to US and Ukrainian officials, they are now deployed in Russia’s Kursk region fighting alongside Russian forces.
While the United Nations is not in a position to verify these claims, they are a cause for concern, as noted by the the Secretary-General in a 3 November statement.
On 18 November, in remarks I delivered on his behalf in the Council, the Secretary-General stressed that the reported deployment of thousands of troops from the DPRK to the conflict zone and their involvement in the fighting adds fuel to the fire, further escalating and internationalizing this explosive conflict.
We reiterate our call on all relevant actors to refrain from any steps that may lead to spillover and intensification of the war in Ukraine.
Madam President,
While the Security Council did not renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts that supported the Committee established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1718 (2006), the DPRK sanctions regime and the Committee remain in place.
I would like to reiterate that international engagement with the DPRK is guided by Security Council resolutions 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), as well as resolutions 2356 (2017), 2371 (2017), 2375 (2017) and 2397 (2017).
In line with these resolutions, the DPRK shall cease the export of all arms and related materiel, and all Member States shall prohibit the procurement of such arms and related materiel from the DPRK by their nationals.
I recall that the relevant Security Council resolutions are legally binding for all UN Member States. As the Secretary-General has stated, any relationship that a country has with the DPRK must entirely abide by the relevant Security Council sanctions.
We remain deeply concerned about growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which have increasing global ramifications. It is imperative that this Council act decisively to uphold the non-proliferation regime and international norms.
The situation on the Korean Peninsula, a key peace and security issue, must be an area for cooperation. The Secretary-General has consistently called for de-escalation and the urgent resumption of talks.
Diplomatic engagement remains the only pathway to sustainable peace and the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
In this respect, we welcome the willingness and offers to engage in dialogue with the DPRK without preconditions.
We also recall the Security Council’s commitment expressed in resolution 2397 (2017), to a peaceful, diplomatic, and political solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The Council must also remain attentive to the humanitarian situation in the DPRK. We reiterate the call on the DPRK to expedite the return of the UN Country Team and the international community to strengthen support for its people and advance the 2030 Agenda.
Thank you, Madam President.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL KHALED KHIARI
BRIEFING TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON
THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, REPORTING ON UNSCR 2334 (2016)
New York, 18 December 2024
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
Since the submission of the Secretary-General's written report on Security Council resolution 2334 (2016), hostilities and violence have continued throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In the Gaza Strip, hostilities between Israel Defense Forces and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, including heavy Israeli bombardment throughout the Strip, have resulted in heavy casualties. In the occupied West Bank, high levels of violence persist amid ongoing Israeli operations, exchanges with armed Palestinians, settler violence and Palestinian attacks against Israelis.
Among other deadly strikes in Gaza, from 14 to 15 December, at least 69 Palestinians, including women and children, were reportedly killed in four Israeli strikes on schools sheltering IDPs in Gaza City, Beit Hanoun and Khan Younis, including 20 killed in an airstrike hitting an UNRWA school in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis. The Israel Defense Forces said they were targeting Hamas militants. More than 250 Palestinians have been killed in such strikes in Gaza over the past week, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The death toll of this war continues to mount. Since October 7th 2023, more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza according to the Ministry of Health and over 1,700 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed in attacks in or originating from Gaza according to Israeli sources.
In the occupied West Bank, on 12 December, an Israeli boy was killed in a shooting attack on a bus near the Al Khader junction in the occupied West Bank, south of Jerusalem. Israeli authorities said that the Palestinian perpetrator later turned himself in. The same day, Israeli forces reportedly killed a Palestinian man in an exchange of fire in Balata refugee camp near Nablus.
Serious clashes have also taken place between Palestinian armed groups in the occupied West Bank and Palestinian security forces since the written report, particularly in Jenin camp following a Palestinian arrest operation and the seizure of Palestinian Authority vehicles by militants. Over several days, PSF have killed an unarmed 19-year-old and detained numerous Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants, while the clashes have caused significant damage to the camp.
Madam President,
I will now highlight some of the Secretary-General’s observations regarding the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016).
I once again strongly condemn the horrific attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel on 7 October 2023 and the continued holding of more than 100 hostages in Gaza. Nothing can justify these acts of terror. All remaining hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. I remain appalled that there are reasonable grounds to believe that hostages may be subject to ongoing sexual violence and abuse. While in captivity, hostages must be treated humanely and allowed to receive visits and assistance from the Red Cross. I reiterate that there is no justification for the deliberate killing, maiming, torture, and abduction of civilians and other protected persons -nor using sexual violence against them. The use of human shields and the firing of indiscriminate rockets towards Israeli population centres are violations of international humanitarian law and must cease.
Turning to the situation in Gaza, a ceasefire is long overdue. The continued collective punishment of the Palestinian people is unjustifiable. The relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces, the large number of civilian casualties, the blanket destruction of Palestinian neighbourhoods, and the worsening humanitarian situation are horrific. The widespread devastation and deprivation resulting from Israel’s military operations in North Gaza – especially around Jabalya, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun – are making the conditions of life untenable for the Palestinian population there. I condemn Israel’s use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated areas that has caused massive casualties and damage to residential buildings, schools, hospitals, mosques and UN premises. United Nations premises are inviolable at all times.
I reiterate my unequivocal condemnation of the widespread killing and injury of civilians in Gaza, including women and children, and the deprivation of essentials to survive. I am concerned over what may amount to violations of international humanitarian law in the conduct of hostilities, including noncompliance with the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attacks and against the effects of attacks. International humanitarian law always applies to all parties to a conflict, and its application does not depend on reciprocity. The protection of civilians is paramount. There must be full accountability for any atrocity crimes that have been committed.
I mourn the United Nations personnel killed in Gaza and strongly condemn the killing of all health and humanitarian personnel and journalists. I also condemn the looting of aid in the context of a breakdown of law and order. These are unacceptable and must stop immediately. I reiterate my call for the full investigation of all such incidents and accountability for any violations of international law.
Due to continued restrictions imposed by Israel, looting by armed Palestinians, and overall insecurity, supplies have entered Gaza at levels that are inadequate to meet the overwhelming needs of the population, including large numbers of IDPs living in extremely overcrowded conditions. To address the needs, the United Nations and its partners urgently require the predictable entry and unimpeded movement of food, shelter materials, medicine and fuel and the capacity to repair essential, life-saving infrastructure, including the health-care system. Noting its opening of additional entry points for humanitarian aid, I call upon Israel to fulfil its obligations as Occupying Power under international law, including allowing and facilitating rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need into and throughout Gaza and to create the conditions that will permit the return of Palestinians to their homes.
I note the relative success of the polio vaccination campaign. While falling short of our targets in the north of Gaza, the use of tactical pauses and examples of functioning coordination with Israel demonstrated what is possible and achievable.
I reiterate my call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza. The UN is continuously engaged with all stakeholders towards these objectives and stands ready to support the implementation of an agreement. I welcome the continued efforts, including by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to overcome the significant obstacles and reach a deal.
I remain deeply alarmed by the relentless Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, that is fueling tensions, impeding access by Palestinians to their land and threatening the viability of a future independent, democratic, contiguous and sovereign Palestinian State. I reiterate that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity and are in flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions. I am deeply concerned that, over the past year, the Government of Israel has continued to systematically promote policies that have strengthened the involvement of civilian officials in control over the occupied West Bank, including transferring some security functions to civilian control, while some Government officials called for the annexation of areas in the occupied West Bank. I urge the Government of Israel to cease all settlement activity immediately.
I note in this regard the recent findings by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024, which declared, inter alia, that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful and must end as rapidly as possible.
The demolition and seizure of Palestinian-owned structures, including internationally funded humanitarian projects, as well as structures related to income generation and the provision of essential services, entail numerous violations of international law and raise concerns about the risk of forcible transfer. I once again call upon the Government of Israel to end this practice and prevent the displacement of Palestinians, in accordance with its international obligations under international law, and to approve plans to allow Palestinians to build legally and address their development needs.
The escalating violence and tensions in the occupied West Bank are highly concerning and could trigger a broader explosion. Intensified operations by Israeli forces, increased settler violence and attacks against Israelis have also exacerbated tensions and led to exceedingly high levels of casualties, detentions and destruction. I am alarmed by the lethal attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, including sometimes in the proximity and with the support of Israeli security forces, and by Palestinians against Israelis. All perpetrators of attacks must be held accountable.
I reiterate that Israeli security forces in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, must exercise maximum restraint and use lethal force only when it is strictly unavoidable to protect life. I call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, and ensure thorough, independent and prompt investigations into all instances of possible excessive use of force, holding those responsible to account.
I am particularly appalled that children continue to be victims of violence on all sides. I am also concerned that Palestinian children continue to be arrested in large numbers and held for prolonged periods of time, including in administrative detention. I reiterate my call for Israel to use detention as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period, to prevent all forms of ill-treatment in detention and to end the administrative detention of children, who are entitled to special protection.
I am disturbed at the numerous instances during the reporting period in which officials glorified violence and engaged in dangerous provocations, incitement, and inflammatory language, which will only lead to greater polarization and risks further bloodshed. Leaders have an obligation to clearly and explicitly condemn acts of terror and violence directed against civilians. The incitement to violence must stop immediately.
I reiterate my call to the parties for the status quo at the Holy Sites in Jerusalem to be respected and upheld, taking into account the special and historic role of the Kingdom of Jordan as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
I am deeply concerned by the adoption by the Knesset of Israel of two laws concerning UNRWA. These laws, if implemented, could prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which would have devastating consequences for Palestine refugees, considering that there is no viable alternative to UNRWA which could adequately meet the needs. I again urge Israel to act consistently with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law, including under international humanitarian law and those concerning privileges and immunities of the United Nations. National legislation cannot alter those obligations.
Madam President,
It is vital that the international community provide immediate support to the Palestinian Government to address its fiscal challenges, strengthen its governance capacity and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza. We must establish political and security frameworks that can address the humanitarian catastrophe, start early recovery, rebuild Gaza, and lay the groundwork for a political process to end the occupation and establish a viable two-State solution as soon as possible. It is vital that these frameworks facilitate a legitimate Palestinian government that can re-unify Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, politically, economically and administratively while reversing the steadily deteriorating dynamics throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Any attempt to establish settlements in Gaza must be firmly rejected. There must be no attempt to reduce or annex the territory of Gaza in whole or in part.
The devastation and misery of the past year have reinforced once again a simple truth: Palestinians and Israelis can no longer wait to establish a viable political horizon. Now is the time to lay the foundations for a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and the broader region. Israelis, Palestinians, the States of the region and the broader international community must urgently take steps that will enable the parties to re-engage on the long-delayed political path to achieving a two-State solution.
The United Nations remains committed to supporting Palestinians and Israelis in ending the occupation and resolving the conflict in line with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and bilateral agreements in pursuit of the vision of two States – Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State of which Gaza is an integral part, – living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.
The UN Special Envoy for Syria concluded talks in Damascus on Wednesday, expressing optimism that the fall of the Assad regime could mark the start of a peaceful and democratic transition for the shattered country, while acknowledging challenges remain.
The United Nations continues to voice major concern over hostilities and Israeli settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), the Security Council heard on Wednesday.
On Wednesday UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale briefed the press after visiting the war-ravaged eastern Donetsk region, sharing harrowing accounts of human resilience amid the chaos of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The UN’s top political affairs official on Wednesday expressed grave concern over rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, urging the Security Council to uphold the objective of preventing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – more commonly known as North Korea – from becoming a nuclear armed State.
Nearly one million Gazans risk spending winter without adequate shelter as UN agencies struggle to provide cold weather assistance, amid ongoing Israeli bombardment, repeated evacuation orders and restrictions on aid deliveries, they warned on Wednesday.
Thank you, Mister President, for the opportunity to brief the Council on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015).
With ten months remaining until Resolution 2231’s Termination Day, the impasse on restoring the JCPOA persists. Meanwhile, since I last briefed the Council on this issue, the regional context has deteriorated further. Against this backdrop, the need for a comprehensive, long-term-solution that would restore the objectives of the Plan has never been greater.
The United States has not returned to the Plan, nor has it lifted or waived the unilateral sanctions it reimposed after withdrawing from the JCPOA in May 2018. And, it has not extended waivers regarding the trade in oil with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Iran, for its part, has not reversed any of the steps it has taken since May 2019 to move away from its nuclear-related commitments.
In its most recent quarterly report, dated 19 November 2024, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) observed again that, its verification and monitoring activities related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action have been, “seriously affected by the cessation of Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA”. IAEA also noted that it has lost continuity of knowledge on many aspects of the nuclear programme of Iran. In plain words, the Agency is unable to assure the international community of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Also, the IAEA remains unable to verify the stockpile of enriched uranium in the country, a situation that has persisted since February 2021. However, it estimated that Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile is approximately thirty-two times the amount allowable under the JCPOA.
This includes increased quantities of uranium enriched to 20% and 60%. Such a stockpile of enriched uranium and level of enrichment remain very concerning.
The Agency has also issued two ad hoc reports that are not reflected in the Secretary-General’s report. These describe Iran’s intention to commence previously declared enrichment activities exceeding its JCPOA limits. They also contain information about Iran’s activities to increase production of uranium enriched to 60%.
Mister President,
During the reporting period, the Secretary-General received letters from some JCPOA participants. The Permanent Representatives of France, Germany and the United Kingdom exchanged differing views with the Permanent Representatives of Iran and the Russian Federation on the root causes of the current impasse regarding implementation of the Plan; their respective steps taken as a result; and their views on the path forward.
The Secretary-General is concerned about the ongoing and persistent disagreements among these Member States at such a critical juncture. Despite these differences, these Member States have expressed their commitments to making constructive efforts to resolve their differences. I urge all JCPOA participants and the United States to rise to this challenge.
Mister President,
I will now turn to the restrictive measures set out in annex B of resolution 2231 (2015). The only measures that remain in effect are contained in paragraph 2 of annex B and pertain to nuclear activities and transfers.
These measures will remain in place until 18 October 2025, unless otherwise decided by the Council.
No information regarding actions alleged to be inconsistent with this paragraph was brought to the attention of the Secretariat during the reporting period.
Meanwhile, there were, again, no new proposals submitted to the procurement channel in the last six months in this reporting cycle.
The Security Council, however, received four notifications regarding the nuclear-related restrictive measures for certain activities consistent with the Plan.
Mister President,
In closing, I would like to echo the Secretary-General’s call for participants in the Plan and the United States to prioritize multilateralism and diplomacy, principles that made agreement on the JCPOA in 2015 possible. The parties should summon the political will and urgently re-engage in negotiations. Time is of the essence. While the onus is on the JCPOA participants and the US, their success or failure matters to all of us. The region cannot afford further instability. There must be genuine commitment to dialogue and diplomacy. That is the way to restore confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, realize the aspirations of the Iranian people, and contribute to stability in the region and beyond.
Finally, I thank Her Excellency Vanessa Frazier for her leadership as Facilitator for resolution 2231 over the past two years, as well as the Coordinator of the Procurement Working Group of the Joint Commission for our continued cooperation.
Thank you, Mister President.
Senior UN officials have been meeting representatives of the new caretaker government in Damascus, following the overthrow of the Assad regime. Later today, the Security Council in New York will hear updates from the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, and the UN's emergency relief chief, Tom Fletcher. Meanwhile in Geneva, the head of a UN probe into the most serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011 has provided updates on its work. UN News app users can follow our coverage here.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has intensified its emergency response in Sudan, delivering food assistance to more than 800,000 people in famine-affected and at-risk areas, even as conflict continues to escalate across the country.
Senior UN officials have been meeting representatives of the new caretaker authorities in Damascus in the past few days, following the overthrow of the Assad regime. This morning in New York, the Security Council met to discuss the future of Syria, with briefings from the UN Special Envoy and the UN's emergency relief chief. UN News app users can follow our coverage here.
The historic shift of power in Syria and the possibility of finally accessing evidence of horrific human rights violations could bring accountability closer than ever – if only proof can be preserved - a top UN investigator said on Tuesday.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has intensified its emergency response in Sudan, delivering food assistance to more than 800,000 people in famine-affected and at-risk areas, even as conflict continues to escalate across the country.
The head of UN political affairs called on Tuesday for urgent re-engagement to restore an international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
At a historic crossroads, just 11 days after the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria faces a fragile mix of hope and chaos, plagued by a volatile security situation and a worsening humanitarian crisis, top UN officials told the Security Council on Tuesday.
Authorities in Gaza reported on Monday that more than 45,000 people have been killed in the enclave in the last 14 months, as humanitarians condemned new deadly airstrikes across the war-torn Strip, including on a UN school-turned-shelter.
UN humanitarians expressed alarm on Monday at the rising numbers of civilian casualties in and around the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, in northern Darfur.
Civilians near the frontlines of Ukraine’s war with Russia are living “on the edge”, a senior UN humanitarian official told the Security Council on Monday, calling for urgent international action to increase protection and sustain humanitarian aid.
A new UN plan for Libya aims to overcome political deadlock, put the country back on the path to long-awaited presidential elections and renew the legitimacy of its institutions, the Security Council heard on Monday.
The UN’s top Syria envoy has held talks in Damascus with the head of the new administration as well as the prime minister of the caretaker Government, stressing the imperative for a “credible and inclusive Syrian owned and led political transition.”
