PRESS BRIEFING BY THE UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION SERVICE

10 October 2023

Conflict in Israel and Gaza

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that airstrikes continued to pound Gaza, while rockets continued to be launched from Gaza into Israel. OCHA was extremely alarmed by the escalation. Some 900 Israelis were reported to have been killed; at least 687 Palestinians in Gaza were reported to have been killed; both figures were according to their respective health authorities. Over 187,000 people were displaced within the Gaza Strip. Further displacement was expected as the hostilities continued. Destruction of infrastructure and streets was hindering movement of civil defense and ambulances, said Mr. Laerke. Healthcare and water and sanitation facilities had been damaged. Israeli authorities had ceased supplying electricity to the Gaza Strip, reducing the hours of electricity to 3-4 hours per day. The Gaza Power Plant was currently the only source of power and could run out of fuel within days. Israeli authorities had also decided to cut off the water supply to Gaza, which affected over 610,000 people in Gaza and would result in a severe shortage of drinking water. The humanitarian organizations in Gaza were responding to the needs but were highly constrained by the ongoing hostilities and restrictions.

Tamara Alrifai, for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), speaking from Amman, stated that the building that housed UNRWA Headquarters in Gaza City had sustained significant damage the previous night; all UN international staff in Gaza were taking shelter in a nearby building. Eighteen UNRWA facilities, including a school for the visually impaired, had been damaged so far. All building flying the UN flag should be protected in the time of conflict, reminded Ms. Alrifai. Some 80 UNRWA schools were currently sheltering more than 137,000 displaced Gaza residents. UNRWA sadly had experience in turning schools into shelters, but the huge displacement of recent days outweighed UNRWA’s capacity to welcome all those in need. There were 54 schools that could be adequately turned into shelters (providing toilet facilities and drinking water, for example), but they would struggle to shelter all those who needed a place to stay. Ms. Alrifai reminded that UNRWA had already been facing a serious underfunding situation before the current conflict. UNRWA did not have adequate resources to respond to the ongoing situation, which was the most intense of all conflicts since 2006. Some 2.2 million people lived in Gaza Strip; 1.7 million of them were Palestinian refugees who availed themselves of UNRWA services, such as health care, education, and food. The very fragile situation in the Strip, and that of UNRWA, were being further aggravated by the conflict.

James Elder, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said that the conflict was taking horrendous toll on children and their families in both Israel and the State of Palestine. Hundreds of Israeli and Palestinian children were reported to have been killed in past three days. Killing and maiming children was a serious violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL); abduction of children by any party was also a grave violation of the IHL. UNICEF called for an immediate and safe release of all hostages. Mr. Elder said that hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza were directly affected by the hostilities in the Gaza Strip and were in desperate need of humanitarian assistance and protection. UNICEF was very concerned about cutting food, fuel, water into Gaza: depriving children of access to food and essential services put their lives at risk. In Gaza Strip, UNICEF and partners were on the ground, doing what they could; humanitarian actors had to be allowed to perform their functions and have access to those in need. UNICEF reminded all parties of their obligations under the IHL to extend their special protection to children. Every single child, no matter who or where they were, had to be protected, concluded Mr. Elder.

Ravina Shamdasani, for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued an urgent plea to all States with influence to take steps to defuse the “powder keg” situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He stressed that the International Humanitarian Law and the International Human Rights Law had to be respected in all circumstances. The High Commissioner was “deeply shocked and appalled by allegations of summary executions of civilians, and, in some instances, horrifying mass killings by members of Palestinian armed groups. It is horrific and deeply distressing to see images of those captured by Palestinian armed groups being ill-treated, as well as reports of killings and the desecration of their bodies. Civilians must never be used as bargaining chips.”

The High Commissioner called on Palestinian armed groups to immediately and unconditionally release all civilians who were captured and are still being held. The taking of hostages was prohibited by international law. Information gathered by the OHCHR indicated that Israeli air operations had also hit large residential towers in Gaza City and other residential buildings across Gaza, schools, and premises of UNRWA, resulting in civilian casualties. The International Humanitarian Law was clear: the obligation to take constant care to spare the civilian population and civilian objects remained applicable throughout the attacks. The principles of distinction and the prohibition of indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks were paramount. Vengeance was not an answer, stressed the OHCHR.

Full statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights is available here.

Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), stressed that the WHO called for an immediate end to the violence. A humanitarian corridor was needed to reach people with critical supplies, and WHO was working on this with its partner agencies. In Gaza, WHO was providing support via supplies and previously delivered training of health workers, and response planning. The pre-positioned supplies, in seven major hospitals in the Gaza Strip, had now been used up, and WHO was reprogramming USD 1 million to procure more urgently needed medical supplies from the local market to fill gaps in need. WHO continued to systematically monitor health attacks, as well as to document and report on health needs and restrictions on access to health services. As of 4 pm on 9 October, 13 health attacks had been confirmed in the Gaza strip since the beginning of the current offensive resulting in six health workers killed, four health worker injuries, nine ambulances affected, and eight health facilities affected. Israel's National Emergency Organization had announced that one paramedic had been killed; there was also information of an attack against a hospital in Ashkelon. Mr. Jašarević said that the WHO had supported emergency preparedness capacity in Gaza previously with the provision of medical equipment and supplies to respond to urgent needs as well as to ensure availability of contingency stocks.

Alessandra Vellucci, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), reminded of the Secretary-General’s statement issued the previous day.

Responding to numerous questions from the media, Ravina Shamdasani, for the OHCHR, said that ordering of the full siege of Gaza risked a serious deterioration of the already dire situation in Gaza, and was prohibited under the IHL. Every restriction had to be justified, otherwise it amounted to collective punishment. Tamara Alrifai, for UNRWA, said that the agency was working hard on conducting inspecting its facilities to ensure that UN facilities were immune to use by any war party or armed group, for either storage or launching pad. UNRWA funding had been very precarious even before the escalation, she said. She reminded that UNRWA had been established by the UN General Assembly; UNRWA had the largest architecture for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and needed support; a flash appeal for funding would be issued this week. Mr. Jašarević, for the WHO, emphasized that fuel and medical supplies had to be allowed to come in, as hospitals could not run without them. Alessandra Vellucci, for UNIS, confirmed that the Secretary-General had spoken or was going to speak to a number of Israeli, Palestinian, and regional leaders. Ms. Shamdasani stated that emotions were running high, and there was talk of vengeance; the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law had to be respected, she reminded. Incitement to violence and hatred was prohibited. The High Commissioner had been clear in his condemnations of both antisemitism and islamophobia; nothing justified the violence today, but there was a lot of incitement and violence leading to the current escalation.

On other questions, Mr. Jašarević explained that Dr. Tedros, WHO Director-General, had held a meeting with the Egyptian President; WHO was continuing to work with all partners to ensure that necessary supplies could reach health facilities in Gaza. Mr. Laerke, for OCHA, said that 187,000 people had been displaced in only three days; as long as the conflict continued, the displacement would continue. Ms. Shamdasani stated that the current blockade further compounded the already existing dire situation in Gaza. The current situation could be described as an armed conflict, and all armed groups involved had an obligation to respect the IHL. The conflict was taking place in the broader context of the Israeli occupation of Gaza, which implied additional obligations. Killings of civilians by Hamas was clearly prohibited by the IHL; the same applied to the repulsive desecration of bodies. Goods vital for the survival of the civilian population had to be let in. Collective punishment of a community or civilian population for activities of an armed group was clearly prohibited under the IHL, which was also clear that the onus was on the parties to the conflict to take all measures possible to protect civilians and civilian objects from harm. Targets had to be military objects, and the principle of proportionality ought to be respected; warnings themselves did not absolve warring parties of taking precautions. Mr. Laerke reminded that as of 7 October, the Israeli authorities had already stopped supplying electricity to the Gaza strip; on 8 October, the water supply had been cut. The crisis was unfolding and growing by the hour as the basic services were interrupted.

William Spindler, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that the UNHCR called on all countries to receive Palestinian refugees fleeing Gaza, and to respect the principle of non-refoulement. Mr. Jašarević reminded of the provisions under the IHL that prisoners of war had to be provided with medical care; he also emphasized that all hostages had to be released. Ms. Vellucci explained that the UN was in contact with different parties at the highest but also operational levels. She reminded of the Secretary-General’s statement in which he stressed that only a negotiated peace that fulfilled the legitimate national aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis, together with their security alike – the long-held vision of a two-State solution – could bring long-term stability to the people of this land and the wider Middle East region.

Earthquake in Herat, Afghanistan

Jens Laerke, for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), stated that aftershocks continued to be felt three days after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake had rocked Herat Province in western Afghanistan. Some 12,110 people had been affected by the earthquake across five districts of Herat Province. Search and rescue efforts were ongoing with the support of international partners. Humanitarian actors were coordinating with relevant de-facto line ministries on the delivery of assistance. The epicentre of the earthquake – Zindajan district – was the worst-affected area with nearly 1,300 deaths and 1,700 injuries; 100 percent of homes had been destroyed.

Priority needs identified included emergency shelter, non-food items, WASH support, food assistance and protection. Children were particularly vulnerable and had suffered severe psychological distress from the earthquake; they required mental health and psychosocial support. The Humanitarian Coordinator, Daniel Endres, had approved an emergency reserve allocation from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund of USD 5 million to support immediate relief efforts in earthquake-affected areas.

Flash Update #3 is available here.

Tarik Jašarević, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said that the WHO had been on the ground within hours of the earthquake. WHO had provided enough supplies to treat 650 injured patients to the Herat Regional Hospital. On 9 October, additional 25 metric tonnes of medicines and medical supplies had been sent to Herat from its warehouse in Kabul, including medicines for trauma care, pneumonia and for treatment of severe malnutrition; orthopaedic and surgery equipment; basic hygiene supplies and personal protective equipment for health workers. More supplies were underway, including medical supplies for emergency and surgical care, essential medicines to re-supply health facilities and to treat infectious diseases such as cholera and measles, as well as pneumonia and severe malnutrition. A total of 54 mobile health teams had been deployed by health partners, including three by WHO, to provide health services, evacuate casualties to referral facilities, and assess health needs in the affected areas.

This devastating impact of the earthquake showed once again the pressing need to support and maintain the provision of essential health care services especially to the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan, such as women and children. Ramping up investment in healthcare service provision was urgently needed. Without immediate and flexible resources, WHO would not be able to quickly respond to arising health needs and to continue its health response in the country. For the rest of 2023, WHO required USD 120 million.

Tommaso Della Longa, for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that the humanitarian sector around the world had been exposed to an emergency after emergency, with the resources stretched to the maximum. In Afghanistan, IFRC teams had reported of villages reduced to absolute rubble. The urgency for an early recovery could not be overstated, with the winter and freezing temperatures just around the corner. While many crises were unfolding worldwide, Afghanistan should not be downgraded to a footnote. Local knowledge was the strongest asset; importance of investment in local actors, such as the Afghan Red Crescent, could not be overstated. The mental scars following the disaster should also not be forgotten, stressed Mr. Della Longa. Afghanistan needed support, now. Of the CHF 120 million requested by the IFRC, less than half had been raised, he informed.

William Spindler, for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said that UNHCR staff on the ground were reporting that the scale of the damage from the earthquake in Afghanistan was extensive, with many villages entirely destroyed. Locals were traumatized and resorting to sleeping outdoors in fear of their safety in case of further earthquakes or tremors and despite dropping temperatures. The majority of those who were displaced were without shelter. Search and rescue efforts were underway, and authorities were removing debris and relocating it for disposal. Shelter, water, and sanitation were amongst the most urgent needs. Additionally, people had lost all their belongings and as winter approached, they would require swift winterization support including warm clothing. Many of those interviewed by UNHCR staff had not eaten a warm meal since the earthquake. The private sector had reached out to the affected communities to provide some assistance but the scale of need far exceeded the support provided. Separated and unaccompanied children had been identified and were receiving protection assistance.

Protection and assistance challenges abounded and UNHCR had responded with an initial delivery of 250 tents and 1,190 blankets to families, increasing the pace of distribution as rapid needs assessments results identified the most vulnerable. Some 1,050 core relief items, including kitchen sets and basic hygiene items, would be distributed to households who had lost everything. Stocks of solar lamps and face masks were also being prepared for distribution.

The UNHCR Country Office in Kabul was rushing emergency response staff to Herat to boost protection services, coordination and aid distribution.

Answering questions from the journalists, Mr. Jašarević, for WHO, said that female medical staff in Herat continued to provide services to patients, and female patients continued to be received and treated. Mr. Laerke, for OCHA, said that some 500 people were still missing; information was hard to get because there was no mobile phone coverage; only satellite phone connections were functioning. Mr. Della Longa, for the IFRC, highlighted two types of challenges faced by the Federation: operational capacities, which were often limited on the ground, such as was currently the case with the Palestinian Red Crescent; and donor support, which was not at the level which was needed.

One month after flooding in Derna, Libya

Tommaso Della Longa, for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said that a month ago, heavy flooding had affected already vulnerable population in Derna, Libya. Three members of the Libyan Red Crescent had been tragically killed in the disaster; 150 volunteers had been helping on the ground ever since. The situation required continued support: among various needs, Mr. Della Longa emphasized an ongoing need for psychosocial support given the significant amount of trauma, and a need for cash support. IFRC had launched an emergency appeal to help fund activities of the Libyan Red Crescent.

Announcements

Pascal Sim, for the Human Rights Council (HRC), said that today the HRC was holding three interactive dialogues: on Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Haiti. Later today, the OHCHR would present reports on Cambodia, Yemen, and Georgia. On 11 October, the Council would start considering 37 draft decisions and resolutions. Today, at 4 pm Geneva time, the UN General Assembly would elect 15 new members of the Council (the vote would be webcast live on UNTV); results should be known by 5:30 pm.

Isabel Piquer, for the International Labour Organization (ILO), informed that the ILO would hold the 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians at its headquarters in Geneva from 11 to 20 October. The Conference, which happened every five years, was the main forum for discussing the gathering and handling of labour statistics. It would address measuring informality, earnings, violence and harassment at work, international labour migration, child labour and forced labour and other contemporary topics on labour statistics. It could be followed live on the ILO website, starting on 11 October at 11 am.

Daniel Johnson, for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), stated that today at 2 pm, on the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the UN Environment Programme would hold a press conference, with Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary, and Marianne Bailey, Senior Coordination Officer, at the Minamata Convention.

On 11 October at 3 pm, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) would hold a press conference on the situation of people forcibly displaced by the conflict in Sudan. Speakers would be Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR Regional Bureau Director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes, and Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Sudan Situation; Abdouraouf Gnon Konde, UNHCR Regional Bureau Director for West and Central Africa; and Ayman Y. Gharaibeh, UNHCR Regional Bureau Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

On 12 October at 11 am, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) would present its State of Global Water Resources 2022 report. Speakers would be Petteri Taalas, WMO Secretary-General; Stefah Uhlenbrook, Director of Water and Cryosphere department; and Sulagna Mishra, Scientific Officer.

Mr. Johnson informed that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women had opened on 9 October its 86^th session and was reviewing today the report of Bhutan.

The Human Rights Committee, which had opened its 139^th session on 9 October, was concluding this morning its review of the report of Iran. It would begin this afternoon the review of the report of Venezuela.

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