Good morning, dear colleagues.
Welcome to the press briefing of the Information Service at the UN in Geneva.
Today is Friday, 12th of January,
and we have quite an important agenda, especially focusing
on the situation. Uh, in the, uh, Middle East.
Uh, we have been asked to speak about this Elizabeth Russell, uh, of the, uh, uh,
office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
a Who has brought us Andrea De Domenico,
who is the head of office, Uh, for the OPT of
And James was brought, uh, with us for UNICEF. Lucia
is the UNICEF special representative to the state of Palestine.
Both, uh uh, Andrea and, uh, Lucia
are talking to us from Jerusalem
and addressing their, uh, um, situation in in the,
uh, in the area, uh, according to their own mandate.
So I would like to start, uh, maybe with, uh, Elizabeth.
do you have an update on the situation in Israel
and OPT 100 days from the starting of the conflict?
I will give you the floor now.
Yes. Uh, thank you, Alexandra. Uh, good morning, everyone.
Um, as this is the first time we've briefed, um, in this year,
I think I can just about get away with wishing you all the best for 2024
turning to the note in front of me.
this Sunday will mark 100 days since Hamas and other
Palestinian armed groups launched their horrific attack on Israel,
in which 1200 people, mostly Israelis, were killed and around 250 taken hostage.
Over these past 14 weeks as Israel pursued a massive, destructive military
response, more than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed,
some two thirds of whom were women and Children.
Civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including homes, hospitals, schools,
bakeries, places of worship, water systems as well as the UN S own facilities,
have been widely damaged or destroyed.
As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker
there must be an immediate ceasefire on human rights and humanitarian grounds,
a ceasefire to end the appalling suffering and loss of life,
and to allow the prompt and effective delivery of humanitarian aid
to a population facing shocking levels of hunger and disease.
This is more urgent than ever
on the conduct of hostilities.
We've repeatedly highlighted Israel's recurring failures to uphold
the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law,
distinction, proportionality and precautions in carrying out attacks.
The High Commissioner has stressed that breaches
of these obligations risk exposure to liability for
war crimes and has also warned of the the risks of other atrocity crimes.
Intense Israeli bombardments from air,
land and sea are continuing across much of the Gaza Strip, particularly in the Deir
where tens of thousands of civilians had previously fled in search of safety.
The Israeli defence forces must take immediate measures to protect civilians
fully in line with Israel's obligations under international law.
Ordering civilians to relocate in no way absolves the ID F of its obligations to
protect those who remain regardless of their
reasons while carrying out its military operations.
Hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been
arbitrarily detained in several unknown locations,
both within and outside Gaza,
in many cases amounting to enforced disappearance.
Some of those released have alleged ill treatment and
torture at the hands of the ID F.
Israel must immediately end arbitrary detention, torture,
ill treatment and enforce disappearance of Palestinians in Gaza
and must independently and effectively investigate such acts,
prosecute any perpetrators and prevent recurrence.
It's a desperate scenario in northern Gaza,
where people face dire shortages of food, water and other basic necessities.
Access to humanitarian aid remains extremely difficult.
Despite repeated pleas by the UN to the ID F to facilitate
movement of humanitarian aid convoys.
The situation in southern Gaza is becoming untenable,
with over 1.3 million internally displaced people crammed into Rafa,
which before the current escalation hostilities had 300,000 inhabitants.
Palestinian armed groups have continued to
launch indiscriminate rockets towards Israel,
According to the Israeli authorities.
Around 136 people are still being held in Gaza by Palestinian armed groups
in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem.
The UN Human rights Office has verified the deaths of 330 Palestinians,
including 84 Children, from the seventh of October
2023 to the 10th of January 2024.
Of these, 321 were killed by Israeli security forces,
eight killed by settlers and one either by the Israeli forces or settlers
Entire herding communities have been forcibly displaced due to
settler violence which may amount to forcible transfer.
As we stressed in our report in December on the West Bank,
there needs to be an immediate end to the use
of military weapons and methods during law enforcement operations,
an end to arbitrary detention until treatment of
Palestinians and the lifting of discriminatory movement restrictions.
Lack of accountability for unlawful killings remains pervasive,
as does impunity for settler violence
in violation of Israel's obligations as the occupying power.
To ensure safety of Palestinians in the West Bank,
the UN Human Rights Office for
the occupied Palestinian territory continues to monitor
and document the human rights situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
We'll submit two reports to the UN Human Rights Council during its next session
which begins in late February.
And these will be on accountability and settlements.
We also reiterate our call for UN human rights office staff to have access to Israel
and all parts of the occupied Palestinian territory
to investigate human rights violations by all parties.
Lisa, uh, for this update on the 100 day mark and I'll now go to, uh, our colleague,
um I don't know, Jen, if you want to start otherwise I would go to Mr De Domenico,
I think we can go to U IC. I don't see, uh,
a hand from Jens. So, Andrea,
We are in three months in this in this conflict, and unfortunately,
the military operation continued to expand.
Um, it has now hit in the area, the middle area,
uh, which were considered the safe area where people should have found refuge.
So we had, you know, 100 thousands of people,
moving there and finding either with families or in
in in improvised shelter or in UN R,
a shelter, uh, finding refuge and safety.
Um, and we knew that there was no safety before because the bombardment was still,
uh, done all across the the the the Gaza Strip in including those areas.
But now we have, uh, uh, troops on the grounds that are in
intensified their operations.
Um, in a manner that, of course, has put a lot of pressure on populations.
operation was started, we had the first influx of of population to the south to Rafa,
Uh, a town that was originally meant to have 280,000 people.
Uh, that now has probably more than 1 million people. Um uh, all all over.
And, uh um and that was the first way.
with the operation expanding even further in the middle layer in the ebolla,
uh, this is, uh this is even even, uh, the The pressure is even even stronger.
Uh, so I was, uh uh, I was yesterday in in Gaza, and, uh, uh,
it's amazing to see the amount of people you have all the impression
when you drive through through Rafah to be constantly inside the market.
Um, any public space, any,
any any piece of of available land has been has been used by people just to to build,
some sort of of refuge tent or or or
shack where they can find, uh, some some some protection.
Um, for me, it was impressive.
Was was the first time I was, uh I entered Gaza since the beginning of the war, and,
uh um, entering the the UN R base.
it's amazing you you don't see the base for
a while because it it's all covered by these tents
And all of a sudden, you see this, Uh uh, This gate, that is, uh that is the the UN base.
Um, and and then, of course,
the situation as you can imagine is is stretching
any ability of of any type of public service.
Um, you know, there is a lack of of shelter, of course.
Uh, lack of water, lack of food, lack of health. Um,
and And people are, um, are
looking for any opportunity to to have access to any form of of help constantly.
Um, and and they are trying to organise themselves. I saw little, you know,
there were so many little shop done literally with a with a piece of wood
and and three items on top of it to people that are selling out.
Just maybe because they need something else that they didn't have,
uh, through the assistance they received. So,
uh, it it's a situation of desperation that that that you can feel it. You can really
high pressure, of course, is, uh is turning the more and more increasing tension,
and and vis a vis the monitoring community and
its inability to address the the basic needs.
So far, we had some episodes that there are some, you know,
stone throwing and and some tos
but I think that there is, uh, this,
uh this pressure distension will increase will increase
if we do not scale up our operations.
Uh, simply because people out of desperation, they will, uh
they will put a lot of pressure on us
and I, I fear that there will be the more and more, uh,
challenges for the UN and its partner to deliver if we do not,
scale up our operation, let alone
if the operation will descend down to Rafa,
uh, and, uh, and then move further, people.
in my visit, we went also in these days, we went to look at the Alma
WASI area That is an area that was originally identified by
the Israeli as a safe area where the United Nations said
we will deliver assistance if, uh uh,
and when people will be there and and will require assistance.
Uh, and now they are, uh, there. So there has.
And there is an initial, uh, series of, of of effort to respond to the needs of people.
Uh, but what is impressive there is that firstly, that what was empty land?
Uh, until until a week ago, uh, it became all in a sudden, uh uh,
still scattered some areas more intense.
But in general, I would say still scattered,
uh, tents that are pitched without, uh
is self made tents. You know, some are proper tents.
Some others are really piece of plastics put together with wood, and,
and the more and more of those are are growing.
And, of course, as you can imagine, those type of, uh,
of of settlements have no have no access to water, have no access to sanitation.
uh, even around our our compound people were really, um, asking for access to
the the compound of the United Nations to use the
toilet because there are no toilets as simple as this,
and and my staff were describing the difficulties particularly for women to have,
uh, you know, access to a decent and protected space to to go to the toilet.
So this is the situation we are dealing with,
Um, this is a a compromise in our ability, uh, to to move also and and and to operate,
because it it it is physically, uh, I mean it.
my colleagues were trying to go home and
take the same road that they're usually used,
and all in a sudden they couldn't go through because a
tent has been pitched in the middle of the street.
You know, it's the only flat in place where they can, you know, safely, uh,
pitch a tent with no risk of being flooded by water.
And so they pitched the tent there because they have no other opportunities.
the the level of of desperation of people is palpable and and breathable.
um, you have seen the terrible situation.
Uh, that that, uh, in terms of food, uh, food security.
Uh, colleagues, uh, O of of the food security sector have done an analysis,
and they have declared an i PC four, which is an unprecedented
level of of, uh, concern, of course of of our operations.
So while the situation in the Southeast is,
we do not have to forget that we still
have something between three or 400,000 people in the north
and the North has and the operations in
the north have become increasingly more complicated.
Uh, we have systematic refusal from the Israeli, uh,
side of of our effort to get there to to access the North.
Uh, in normal circumstances, we would notify the parties that we are going, uh,
to a place to deliver assistance.
In this case, we are forced to coordinate because the, um,
there are checkpoints that we can simply not go through.
Uh, and because of of the current situations,
the Israeli have systematically or quasi
uh, yesterday we had three missions that were partially approved,
meaning that they have selectively allowed us to do some, uh,
part of what we were planning.
Um, but But the previous days we had three operations approved out of 21 requested,
so that that that's the type of of environment we're working with
even more dramatic is that the condition of people that
and the condition of people when we get there,
um, that we are witnessing are really terrifying.
my team was describing that when they cross the the the checkpoint
on the coastal road now because they force us to the military,
the Israeli military forces now to move to use the coastal road.
they were saying that already at the crossing there
were there were a series of of corpses,
um, that were not collected.
They have been left there,
and nobody has had the possibility to to go and collect them and
and to to take their take care of them as we should.
And once you cross with any type of assistance, you do you know,
a couple of kilometres desperate people will come
and simply, uh, uh, you know,
stop the trucks and and take out whatever they can from there,
Um, so it is absolutely important for us to to scale up our operations in the North.
and And we are leveraging on on
the recent negotiation done by the humanitarian coordinator
and with the support of of, uh, the the American and the Blinn
visit to to, uh, have an initial assessment of the situation,
um, in the north, Um, just as a an access
in order, then to do a better, Uh uh,
an initial rapid assessment with the colleagues of other agencies and sectors
to focus on the four fundamental sectors wash food, uh, health and shelter
in order to keep people alive.
my team was telling me that the faces and and
the people of the people that are coming to,
the the trucks when they they cross this
checkpoint are clearly faces of people that are,
They have never been aggressive against us.
They have. Actually, they thank us.
And they asked us When are you coming back again?
So and then they are just simply go to the truck,
take whatever they can to survive for them and for their families.
stop here and thank you very much, and I'll be happy to answer any. Any questions,
apprehensive briefing on on what you saw and and the dire situation that you have,
uh, been able to witness, uh, in your visit and your daily work.
So you spoke about agencies,
And we have I have indeed the representative of one of those who
me, who is the special representative to the State of Palestine of UNICEF,
and I'd like to give her the floor for a briefing
on the dire situation of the Children in in Gaza.
Thank you. Good morning. Uh, I just came back from Gaza where I spent a week
with the with the team on the ground.
I can reiterate the the descriptions and confirm the
description that Andrea just made of of the terrible situation
and the massive number of people who are literally pinned to the border.
Almost 100 after almost 100 days of violence
killing bombardment activity for all Children in Gaza,
all the suffering has been too much.
Children and families in the Gaza Strip face increased risk of death from the sky
lack of safe water and from deprivation from the lack of food and malnutrition
And for the two remaining Israeli Children still had hold hostage in Gaza.
The enactment that began on the seventh of October is continuing
as the situation continued to deteriorate
last week spoke of triple threat soaking Children
the conflict, the disease
We're doing everything we can,
but we are faced with a formidable set of challenges to address all of those issues.
Children in the Gaza Strip are running out of time,
while most of the life saving humanitarian aid
they desperately need remain stranded between insufficient access corridor
of a constraint. Response is a formula for disaster of proportions.
Thousands of Children have already died and
thousands more will quickly follow if we don't
immediately fix those three urgent bottlenecks.
the intense bombardment and the ongoing conflict in densely populated
areas threatened the lives of civilians and humanitarian workers,
as we have seen last week while I was there.
The bombardment is also impeding the
delivery of the desperately needed assistance.
we tried for six consecutive days to get fuel and medical supply to the north,
and for six days the movement resist
from travelling to the north.
My colleagues in Gaza endured the same challenge as
Andrea just said for weeks before my arrival.
Families in the North desperately need this fuel
to operate critical water and sanitation infrastructure.
We still are not getting the sufficient humanitarian assistance that is needed.
Yes, only yesterday we got 139 trucks, 33 via Rafa
The inspection process continued to remain slow and unpredictable,
and some of the material with desperately in
need remain restricted with no clear justification.
Those include generators to power water facilities and hospitals,
and plastic pipes to repair the so badly damaged water infrastructure.
In addition, once aid gets in,
there are significant challenges of distributing across the Gaza Strip,
particularly in the north, but also recently in the middle area.
Breaking communication blackouts make it extremely
challenging to coordinate the distribution of
aid and let people know how to access it and when.
The congestion in the south, due to the massive displacement and the intense needs,
may continue incident of people in despair,
stopping trucks and trying to get their hands on whatever they can
to survive to barely survive
shortage of fuel and trucks inside the strip and measure
damaging road make travels lower and less frequent.
humanitarian aid alone is not sufficient.
The volume of commercial goods for selling a gas
strip need to increase and to increase fast.
What is needed at the moment is at least 300 trucks
of private commercial goods going in on a daily basis.
This will let people purchase essential goods,
relieve the community tension and stimulate the cash programme offered by UNICEF
But we are seeing very little change
and frankly the consequences are being measured daily
on the loss of Children's lives.
outstanding ceasefire is the only way to end the killing and injuring of Children
and their families and to enable the urgent delivery of the desperately needed aid.
But while we continue to advocate and to push for that to happen, we
urgently need the following
all assets crossing into Gaza need to be open.
The approval and special process for aid needs
to be faster and more efficient and predictable.
The resumption of commercial private sector activities.
The immediate entry of increased quantity of fuel they
can go to or everywhere across the Gaza Strip.
The reliable and uninterrupted telecommunication channels,
greater tracking and transportation capacity within the Gaza Strip.
The civilian infrastructure, like schools and hospitals, must be protected
and access to the north of the Gaza Strip
to allow us to reach vulnerable Children and their families
wherever they are in their need
or desperate in need of humanitarian aid.
the two abducted Israeli Children must be unconditionally and safely released.
This violence must stop now.
Thank you very much. Uh, Lucia And, um,
now I'm seeing there is a A request for James to send your notes to the journalist.
But I saw the OHC HR notes have been distributed already.
I think it would be very appreciated if the journalist get it quickly.
Um, I open the floor to questions now, and I see Gabriel the truth from Reuters.
Uh, good morning. I have a question for, uh, Mr de
Dominico, uh, regarding the systematic refusal of Israeli authorities.
Um, what kind of justification are they provided?
Providing for us the systematic refusals.
Um, and I was wondering if you could also provide more details
on the three missions that were partially approved.
Um, what does this partial approval mean in practise?
and And why were these partially and not completely approved? Uh, thank you,
Yeah, we We are mutual. And you have to mute yourself both.
I didn't have the right to do.
Um uh, so thank you. Thank you. I think it was Gabriela. Um,
thank you, Gabrielle, for the question. Um, So
the major concern that the Israeli military has vis a vis the north is, um,
the distribution of fuel.
Uh, which, of course, I consider a very sensitive commodity that could be,
and any other type of support that could eventually
also go to mass is is considered for them,
utterly problematic, but in particular they have been very
not allowing us to support,
WW, which is something that is reaching a point of, uh, a level of inhumanity that,
for me is beyond comprehension.
um, you know everyone and and James has done fantastic pieces on that.
When he was, uh, on on the ground, um,
everyone who has been, uh,
in in in Gaza and see the situation of the hospitals where they have been completely,
completely dismantled and and made dysfunctional
even in the in the south, in in the
the southern part of the middle area. Now, they,
we're being reduced now to having two hospitals that are
completely overloaded and unable to deal with the the workload,
Uh, of of those you know, more than 60,000 wounded.
Can you imagine? Yesterday I heard something that
stay in the hospital, get treated, and as soon as they can walk out,
they run away because they fear that the hospital is attacked.
Um, So the the major concern was about fuel and and the and the diversion of fuel
and the partial approval. Was that even for places where we were asking to deliver
to deliver, uh uh, assistance So normally What?
What we try to do is combining food, water, um,
and medicines and fuel in particularly in the hospitals or or water sanitation.
um facilities that which I can elaborate better than me.
and they say OK, yes. For for food? Yes, for water, but not for fuel.
And not for for other things. So that that's the type of selectivity.
Uh, and and again, the sensitivities were particularly around fuel.
Uh, and and so, you know, you are caught a little bit in a corner where you say OK,
completely the I cancel. I aborted the operation that the mission because
they don't allow us to deliver the fuel, or I at least I bring whatever I can
in the circumstances that we can,
um, and and keeping in mind as Lucia
was was highlighting that every single mission has been caught in crossfire.
Um, you know, yesterday morning, mission showed up very early at the checkpoint,
and they have They've been stuck for two hours at the checkpoint with the risk,
of being an appealing factor for those desperate people
that live in the neighbourhood to attack again.
uh, so the the there is a a
complicated and for me and, um
not entirely understandable reason why that the Israeli are so
adamant about not allowing us to to to do this,
uh, delivery of military assistance.
as I said, mainly for few of
thank you very much. Andrea
Mroz, our correspondent of The New York Times.
And sorry, um, we we I have questions from the journalist,
and I try to give it to the right person, but if the other, uh,
speakers want to intervene, So,
uh, uh, we share a few feels when, uh, if you want to add anything.
OK, so, Nick, uh, the New York Times
Yeah, Thank you for taking the question. Um, and to
anyone who can answer already I,
I just wanted to get a better sense of what is the situation on the ground in the north,
have stopped or sort of moved further
And so, um, if you've got a a crossing point opening in the north. Would would
would that allow you to deliver humanitarian assistance
at scale to to meet the requirements there.
and I also could you just elaborate a little bit on on
your saying that they deliberately refusing assistance to
hospitals Could Could you elaborate on that?
you are being allowed to take in food you're being allowed to take in medicines.
Are they specifically denying you access to,
particular hospitals? Thank you.
OK, maybe I'll start with Andrea if you can mute yourself.
But again, uh, Lucia, don't hesitate to
Ah, you were You were You were
I'm muted and you're muted again. Sorry.
Just just I think you receive a message. And when you get the message, you see AM?
so, uh, operations in the north, um, are are still going on.
Uh uh, Nick and And the reality is that there are some areas where, um you know,
this idea that the the the AD F had taken
completely control of the North is is not in reality,
matching the the the the the
I mean, some have said that this happened, but I think that, you know,
in some conversation we had with the with the ID F,
they told us that they do not control entirely either the North.
Um, but that is not necessarily for us and an impeding factor for, uh,
Um, because, you know, I, I If we manage to, uh, to coordinate our our, uh,
then we will for sure keep on on delivering monitor assistance.
Notwithstanding the the current operations,
there are other areas in the north that are, uh, maybe a bit calmer.
And but that's exactly the reason why we want to do this. R.
on the the this recognition, this initial assessment. Sorry.
Um uh, next, uh, next week.
Ideally, uh, which is really only about access, Um, and and to understand,
in the different part of the north,
um, you know where we could and how we could operate.
And yes, we will be able to scale up.
There are fantastic, uh, partners and initiatives that are ready to,
uh, to to really bring, uh, bring in assistance. So there are.
You know, there is a partner ready to the world kitchen,
uh, teams that are ready to bring in for, you know,
14, the kitchens in the north of the world of, uh,
each one will serve up to 15,000 people.
Uh, and and many other partners also will follow. So,
That's what we are trying to do on the, um on the impediment of of assistance? Um, yes.
There are some, uh, hospitals that have been particularly targeted.
You know, we have not been able, for example, to go back to
Um, clearly, there is, uh, there is a military reason for that.
Uh uh, That I'm not I don't have the necessarily the understanding,
uh, or the knowledge. Uh, but, uh, but yes, Jabalia
was, for example, we were absolutely not allowed to bring anything.
that they allowed us to to bring and and that included a very limited quant.
A very, very precise, not limited, precise
Because they know that that fuel will will last for a certain period. Of course.
Um, this is a little bit constraining our ability to deliver, but but yeah,
at least we can We can move on the dial, so we will, for sure, engage on these
And maybe I I'll, uh I see that, uh, Christian in my, uh, the spokesperson of WHO is,
Christian, maybe you want to determine on the issue of the hospitals?
Yeah, exactly. Thank you, Alessandra.
And to to add on on Nick's question and what Andrea just elaborated
It's difficult to say you don't get access
to one particular hospital or to two hospitals.
It's a much, much broader picture. Um, sometimes
it's the the area around the hospitals that's
under siege or has had evacuation orders.
Hence, the area is not clear for getting to the hospital.
seven missions to the north from end of December until two days ago had
been cancelled or called off with a convoy literally standing on the road,
waiting to leave and to depart to the north.
And it had to be cancelled or it was cancelled. It was not authorised.
Authorization withdrawn at the very last moment.
Uh, and all the material is listed. Um what?
What has to be brought up Um and it
was checked before and it's cleared before yesterday.
Similar to what Andrea said,
was the first time reached again with some material. And this included,
9300 litres of fuel and medical supplies to
cover 1000 trauma and 100 kidney dialysis patients.
So we should not forget there's not only the war traumas and the war injuries.
immense other needs, like dialysis, uh, something which had been
Shifa in the North being near the only centre for
these people and those couldn't even flee or run away.
and you also have to see the the
picture of these hospitals or the medical facilities whenever
the medical staff in some area there
they try to reopen a ward an individual unit,
just in order to provide some health care,
uh, to the people that that is amazing by these people and, uh,
and try to just run off minimal laboratory services, for example,
just to get some testing done.
All the minimal essential issues to be done just to get a a basic supply,
um, many factors playing together
And the biggest problem, as the colleague said so far,
is the not being able to plan because it's always ad hoc movement.
There's no sustainable movement.
There's no sustainable convoy movement coming into Gaza,
and that is definitely not to do with the international organisations.
There's no constant sustainable movement towards the
various places in Gaza can happen,
Then there's an hour window or two hour window where of course you cannot move.
And and and and so it's It's a It's a
the words that we hear so often that of course,
the the supplies of hospitals and the people on the in Gaza is possible.
The words are there. The action is failing.
Very, very clear, Christian, Thank you very much.
Lucia, I would like to add something.
Yeah. No, thank you. 222 points as well.
To give a picture of what is happening around,
you know, maternal and child health services.
We managed last week to bring in 600,000 life saving vaccines polio, measles,
there were a large number of Children who had missed their vaccination,
Uh, over the last three months. So together with the UW and WHO,
we restarted the vaccination campaigns,
and it was incredible to see the long queues of mother and fathers queuing
to get the Children vaccinated.
So the demand is there, and they're demanding even more services.
Of course, because there is nothing, nothing left. So it's really something that
you know we can get result we can get.
You know, some of the service is going back. We need to have unrestricted
and predictable access everywhere we have.
We have been not able to bring the vaccines to the north, for instance,
and the other example of how it overstretched the capacity of the few remaining
maternal and child health services are that we visited in hospital.
It is the only maternity hospital left in the South
where usually they were doing 500 deliveries in one month
they did 1700 deliveries, with women going out immediately after the hospital,
being released because of the overstretched capacity with, you know,
a large number of Children in the same incubator, for instance,
So those are examples are overstretched capacities.
And how much more needs to be scaled up
Um, Gabriela. So to mayor,
the disco from Mexico. Gabriela?
Yes. Thank you, Alexandra. Um, two questions, please.
Uh, one for for Elizabeth.
South Africa formally accused Israel
of committing genocide against Palestinians
at the International Court of Justice
and asked it to order an immediate end to Israeli military operations in Gaza.
So my question is, what is your opinion on this accusation?
Do you think this accusation of genocide is founded?
second, my second question is on on the Children.
do you have any estimate of how many
Children have died from diarrhoea or other diseases?
OK, let's start with Liz.
Uh, although I I mentioned that the proceedings have just started, uh, at the IC T.
Yes. Um, absolutely. I mean, as you.
As you all know, the proceedings started yesterday and are ongoing today.
Um, actually, as as we speak,
um, these are very serious. Um, allegations. Very serious issues.
Um, hugely complex and I, I think really, from that point of view.
We really need to await the the decision of the I CJ
OK. And maybe Lucia on the question on the Children.
you need to just speak on your mic
so, um, we know that in the past two weeks alone, the number of Children
with diarrhoea cases of diarrhoea almost doubled.
We went from 40,000 Children with cases of diarrhoea to 70,000.
So this is the figure that we have and we continue to monitor at
this point in time is is is is very difficult. How many of those led to mortality?
But we know we are very concerned about,
as I would say, the triple threat to Children. You know, the conflict,
the increased burden of diseases and
the increasing severe acute malnutrition that for the time being,
is putting at risk Over 1003 Sorry.
135,000 Children at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
So the combination of the three plus the lack of water and sanitation
in terms of malnutrition is really one of the key concerns at the moment.
You said 100 and 55,000, right, 100 and
So I have our correspondent of the French news AC
Uh, yeah. Hi. Thank you for taking my questions. Um, I wanted to ask about, um
how the deconfliction system is is working.
I mean, obviously you're talking about a systematic, uh,
that these convoys are being systematically stopped.
But, you know, are you getting guarantees before you
before you go in that they will get through. And also sort of Are you in discussions?
I assume you're in discussions with, uh, also,
um, Hamas officials as well as the Israelis.
If you could just explain a little bit if if this
is only on the Israeli side that you're being stopped,
in the north, Uh, after the Al
Shifa, uh, WHO reached Al
yesterday. Um, how many hospitals would you say are now functioning
in the northern part, uh, of of Gaza and as a whole across, uh, across Gaza.
Andrea. You want to start with and, uh, I go to WHO?
what we call the humanitarian notification system. Um is, um,
is a little bit of work in progress, because, um,
you know, clearly it is not where it should be.
but I have also to to say that there has been a an effort
from from the Israeli side to maintain the dialogue and and pursue it.
uh, we should measure, of course, that on results.
And as I said, we we we are not necessarily there.
Particularly if it is used to prevent us to deliver assistance.
Um, which is something that we have to to go through
uh, know the condition of of the of the crossing through the checkpoint have been,
uh, object of of fierce negotiations because,
um, they they in some occasions that they wanted to to to screen, uh uh, the people,
that should be protected by privileged. And they were
asked to get out to step out of the car in a in
a very complicated and and and active fighting at times in the neighbourhood,
that is moving on in a dialogue that has been, I think, overall constructive.
that's with the military side.
I think that also there is a political component, as you can imagine.
Um, in terms of, you know what is then allowed to go to the north, uh,
is less related to the humanitarian notification system,
but and so the mechanics of our collaboration with Israeli,
but rather more on the on the political side,
um, that there is no intention to support uh uh th those those efforts. But, you know,
the trajectory is positive.
Although the the last week, as as a colleague from WHO were saying,
has been particularly negative in terms of of, uh, ability to to to to to move
Thank you, Christian. Uh uh, on the hospital.
Yeah. So in the north, Al
Shifa, as we just said, has partially resumed services with 60 medical staff,
a surgical and medical ward with 40
beds and emergency department for operating theatres,
as well as some basic emergency
Um, some minimal laboratory service and basic radiology service that brings
the partially functioning places in the north to,
uh, six hospitals, but two, barely. And also, let's say that Al
Shifa used to have 600 plus beds So now we're talking about 40 or 6040. Sorry.
and in total, in the south, we have nine partially functioning health facilities,
but also again, um, they are not major hospitals. They're all smaller.
Um, and the occupancy rates are Yeah,
2 to 300% of the places. So that makes 15
out of formerly 36 health facilities partially functioning.
Partially functioning. Very, very clear.
OK, so let's go to Katrine Fong,
our correspondent of Franz Van K,
Thank you. Um, Alessandra,
um, I'd like to to have some details on on the
Um, is there a will to deliver the strict mi
Um, not to be accused of siege.
Or, um, are there other reasons? Because, um, if I'm not wrong, um, Ms Amy, uh uh,
Excuse me, uh, spoke about no clear justification
to to prevent to deliver assistance. So what are,
um, the justification that are provided by, um, the authorities?
the the first in order, normally is security.
Um, they say that because of the the current status of operations, So, uh, you know,
or the the path to the area.
Uh, as as as colleagues from the
are, you know, are not adequate to guarantee our security, and therefore,
they they cannot, uh, support, uh, and accept the coordinations,
which you know, Of course it happens.
Uh, it is not, you know, some of those might be justified, but But unfortunately, uh,
as I said earlier, you know, it's it's
It's not uncommon for humanitarian actors to move on on active combat theatres.
And, you know, we just have to take the necessary precautions
because people in any case, cannot wait.
Uh, the the the, you know, the the the the fighting to to end because, uh,
they will re really risk to die without assistance.
and then the other element is more about concern on on specific, um,
And as I said, fuel in particular has been has been very, very complicated.
was saying is only 9300 litres for a very specific hospital
when in fact, we have asked, uh, for many other infrastructure, uh,
in in the north to be served with fuel because, you know, water, uh,
um, and and and other facilities and other hospitals. Uh, of course,
uh, would need the same support with fuel, but, um, it is not being granted.
So that, uh, has exhausted our question for today on this subject.
I would like to thank you very, very much. Willie. Andrea Ria,
And and Christian here, especially here in the, um, in your, uh, daily
incredible work that you're doing.
There is a question from, uh,
said there are two people in the in the chat,
but this is more for our colleagues that says they haven't received your, uh,
so I don't know if anybody can do that. I. I saw them,
uh, so I know that they have been sent.
And for the others, I think
Jen has answered for Andrea.
and, uh, I'm pretty sure James would send Lucia as
as soon as possible. So thanks again.
Please come and update our journalist engineer at any time you wish.
And good luck with your very dire job.
Um, let's stay with Liz, then because, uh, she has two other briefing.
Thanks, Andrea and and Rich here.
Um, Liz, uh uh. You have two other briefing points.
I don't know which one you want to start with. Sri Lanka or Ecuador?
Um uh, well, they're both incredibly important, obviously. Uh, but I'll still
yes. Thank you. So, yes, Ecuador.
Um, we are closely monitoring the situation in Ecuador,
uh, where there's been a surge in violence linked to organised crime groups
And where, in response, the government has announced a 60 day state of emergency,
declared what it called an internal armed conflict and deployed the army.
violent incidents have been reported in different parts of the country.
Uh, cars being set on fire and reported explosions.
At least 12 people, including two police officers, were reported killed.
around 100 and 50 prison officers and 20 administrative workers are reported
to have been taken hostage by inmates in seven different prisons.
We understand that the prosecutor's office has
opened several investigations into the recent violence
and we call for these investigations to be prompt, transparent,
to ensure those responsible are held to account
in accordance with international standards.
Ecuador clearly faces huge challenges in addressing the violence.
During his mission to the country last year,
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Fatu highlighted the deterioration of the security situation
due to transnational organised crime and the impact on the most vulnerable people.
The High Commissioner calls today for
all emergency measures addressing the violence
to be proportionate and limited to the requirements of the security situation.
Any restrictions must respect the principles of legality, necessity,
proportionality and non-discrimination.
The powers granted to armed forces for public
security tasks must be exceptional time limited,
subordinate and accountable to civil authorities.
All operations by the security forces must be grounded in the
principle of non discrimination and in line with international law.
This is also crucial in maintaining public trust and societal cohesion.
human rights must be at the centre of all policies to stem the violence.
This includes addressing the structural and root causes of violence,
and our office remains committed to working with Ecuador on human rights issues.
Thank you very much, Liz. Of course, this is also extremely important.
And I like to ask the journalist if they have any question on this.
yes. Thank you. Thank you very much.
So what are the responsibilities of the
parties in an international armed conflict?
you are fighting with an organised crime with, uh, another
Uh, that doesn't care about international humanitarian law. So
what What can you say about this?
I think what What is important to to stress and and you're
probably extremely well aware of this is is although the the violence,
um, a surgeon has come to hit the the international headlines this week, Um,
the the problem, um, of transnational organised crime.
Um, in Ecuador, the the influence of gangs has been building over the past few years.
is something that the High Commissioner focused on
during his visit to Ecuador last year.
In in actually in January last year.
we've detailed here that that people have been taken hostage in prisons. So?
So the inmates in the prisons have taken over the prisons.
They've taken people hostage.
We've had the reports of violence throughout the country.
So the impact on the population has been immense.
And of course, the the the challenges that Ecuador is facing as as I,
as I've just said, are huge.
Tackling organised crime is clearly a crime related police focused operation.
And and that is why we we're underscoring the the use of of
the armed forces of public security tasks must must be time limited,
exceptional and come under civil civil authorities.
Given the challenges that the government is facing, um, they have of course, um,
declared what they're saying is an internal armed conflict.
Now, of course, this this needs to to to be analysed, it needs to be addressed,
But but at the heart of of of everything,
we would always underscore that that the operations need to be proportional, uh,
need to to be in line with international standards.
We're we're in no way at minimising the challenges that Ecuador faces.
In fact, our office has has a very, uh, long relationship.
W working with Ecuadorian authorities on a whole host of human rights related
issues not least relating to to the situation inside the country's presence.
So I think in response to your question,
it's clear that Ecuador is facing huge challenges.
And for for for a long time. Uh, it was described, obviously as a country that was,
in a way, the sort of the peaceful corner of South America,
uh, sort of between Peru and Colombia. This is why the country has been
so affected because of the the the impact of transnational crime
groups that have a very wide reach that are very powerful,
and they do need to be tackled.
we would underscore that this needs to be
carried out in line with human rights standards.
Very clear other questions to Li
on on this subject. Oh, Gabriel, I will follow up.
Yes. Liz, uh, do you think that Latin America should tackle
organised crime in a regional way?
uh, this is, uh, you know, in Mexico, Colombia, and, you know, uh,
So what? What are your views on that?
Well, of course, we're the UN human rights office.
Uh, we're not experts in policing,
in in tackling organised crime that there are other parts of
the UN that are very much more focused on this.
Not not least the UN office on on
And it will come as no surprise to you that I'm going to
say that whatever approaches are taken should be in line with human rights.
And that that means, of course, making sure that that any deployment, for example,
of armed forces, um, is is support
It wouldn't always to civil authorities that
policing should really be carried out by
In some cases, it may be that armed forces are needed to to support and to back up um,
But we would always say that these need to be conducted in
line with human rights standards and I I outline them here.
Principles of illegality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination.
Um, so I just wanted to know, given the the crisis, uh, in Ecuador now and
how the the country has been, uh, was made very vulnerable.
Um, you know, on on various levels during, uh, the covid pandemic
Uh, have have there been any, uh, UN,
uh organisations aid organisations that have been called to assist in
perhaps what may be expected to be, um,
we have greater needs, You know, if this, uh, this crisis is going to continue, um,
you know, into the next weeks or so,
um, I wonder whether this would not be a question more for yens than for
for Y. But I don't think yens is connected any longer.
if you want to say something, but we could definitely,
Sure. Absolutely. I mean, I think I can make, uh, make two points.
I think I think Paula, you you actually, uh, raise a very important issue.
And in all, almost something that's now been forgotten.
The absolutely devastating impact that Covid had on Ecuador clearly that that,
you know, caused huge problems that the country was so
so almost disproportionately affected by
I think, with regard to to different help to to different support.
Um, there are other parts of the UN that that are better placed than that.
Of course, there is the UN country team, uh,
with which the UN Human Rights office and our our representatives
in in South America work very closely advising on human rights issues.
Uh, but I think Alexander's right. Maybe with regard to actual specific aid,
exactly. It would be other organisations. Yeah,
I don't see other question on this subject. Uh, Lisa,
So let's go to Sri Lanka,
Yes. Um, yes, this is on Sri Lanka, Um, and on the anti-drug operations that,
um we are very concerned, uh,
that authorities in Sri Lanka are adopting a
heavily security based response to the country's drug
instead of public health policies grounded in human rights. A
staggering 29,000 people have reportedly been arrested on
drug related matters since the 17th of December
with allegations that some have been subjected to ill treatment and torture.
Security forces have reportedly conducted raids without search warrants,
detaining suspected drug sellers and users with hundreds
sent to military run rehabilitations rehabilitation centres.
During and after these operations,
people are reported to have been subjected to a number of violations,
including unauthorised searches, arbitrary arrests and detention,
ill treatment, torture and strip searches in public.
Lawyers acting for those detained have alleged that they have faced intimidate
intimidation from police officers.
Now while drug use presents a serious challenge to society,
a heavy handed law enforcement approach is not the solution.
Abuse of drugs and the factors that lead to it
are first and foremost public health and social issues.
People suspected of selling or trafficking drugs are entitled to humane
treatment with full respect for due process and transparent fair trials.
People who use drugs should be provided with appropriate
support and programmes that address the root causes of addiction
and assist their reintegration into society.
The UN Human Rights Office last year issued a
report calling on states to develop effective drug policies,
including by considering the decriminalisation of drug use
and the possession of drugs for personal use.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Forker
Turk, urges the government of Sri Lanka
to review its ongoing yukata
operation. That's the name that's been given to the operation.
Um, it's Sinhalese for justice.
So he's calling on the government to review its ongoing Yuka
and to implement human rights based approaches,
notably the right to health in addressing the issues of illicit drugs in society,
allegations of abuse of authority,
torture and ill treatment and denial of due process and fair trial rights
must be thoroughly and impartially investigated.
And justice must be served.
so thank you very much. Uh, Liz, for this Pretty important, Uh,
no I. I thought there was a a question, but no. OK, so thank you very much with,
um and I saw the the, uh, notes have been circulated again or or circulated.
Uh, anyway, uh, you should have them.
Um, so our next, uh, speaker is Claire.
Uh, Claire. Good morning. You have two announcements.
Good morning. Uh, good morning. Everybody. Just, uh very quickly.
Uh, WMO will be releasing the consolidated global temperature figure,
uh, this afternoon at 5 p.m. we apologise. It's We know it's not a
great timing, uh, for for for Europe in particular. But we have to do this
in conjunction with Noa and NASA,
who are releasing their figures at the at the same time,
we've sent out a press release under embargo in all language.
It is available in all languages. So if you haven't received it, um,
please just just let me know, Uh,
given the timing, we're not
planning a press conference. Having said that, if
you would like interviews, um, you know, please contact me, and we can you know,
we can give you one on 11 on one interviews,
moving on to press conferences. Uh, as you all know, WMO has a new
secretary general, Professor
we had obviously hoped to have an introductory press conference this week, but was
the situation at the Palais.
So she will now be speaking to you, Um,
ahead of the regular briefing on Tuesday, the 16th of January. So,
uh, the time is, uh, 9. 45. Uh, so you will get a note,
uh, on that, you know, just to start the briefing, um,
slightly slightly earlier than, uh than than than usual.
we are aware that we're getting requests
from journalists for one on one interviews.
We'll try to accommodate accommodate them as
Uh, but just bear in mind that she's only just, uh, you know, started in office.
So she's got quite a quite a heavy schedule, and she will be, um,
travelling to New York and Washington at the end of this month.
Um, but having said that, you know, she
is very, very media friendly.
We hope to carry on with the traditions set, uh, by our former secretary generals,
give you regular briefings and to prioritise the
Thank you very much. Uh, um, Claire. And we do appreciate that. Definitely.
we work from exactly the timing, but the idea is to,
the new secretary general of WMO to give you sort of a prequel to the briefing.
Uh, so we will We will, uh, confirm the exact timing
when we will start. Uh, the briefing, By the way.
This gives me also the opportunity to remind everyone
that on Monday morning at 8. 30 we open.
I mean, on Monday morning, we will reopen the pale in full,
and, uh, therefore, the Tuesday briefing,
including with the Secretary General of WMO, will be in person from the press room.
Any question to the, um, WMO, um, on this
so thank you very much. Uh uh, Claire, we'll see you in person next week. then.
And, um, let me also, um, uh, remind you,
uh, that on Tuesday. Uh, sorry. I'm taking my notes.
Um, let me remind you, uh, that on Tuesday we will have, um As I said, uh,
the briefing will restart in person on Monday.
We will reopen the ballet,
and, uh, we will start at 8. 30
announced press conference of Filippo Grandi and of Martin Griffiths,
Um, on the humanitarian plan for Ukraine.
Um, and the refugee response plan for Ukraine.
This would be in person, in press room, uh, in our press room.
So I hope I know it's it's, uh, quite early,
but I hope that you will be able to come, uh, in person. And, of course, it's a
press conference, so you will be able to also follow it at a distance,
but we will be there with the two top officials.
Uh, that will speak to you about, uh, about this.
I think this is more or less what I had to tell you.
Um, I don't know if there are any questions for me.
There aren't, so I thank you all very much.
And I wish you a very good. Uh uh. Weekend.
And I'm happy to find, uh, to to see you again in person On, uh, Tuesday, uh,
Uh, in the press room. Thank you.
