Security Council, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics - Daily Press Briefing | UN

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

Security Council
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lebanon/Israel
Sudan
Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region
Democratic Republic of the Congo

SECURITY COUNCIL

Today, Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council and said that the ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, as we have seen with continued attacks and strikes in Gaza. The UN is doing its part to support the ceasefire and meet the staggering needs of the population, he added.

He urged Israel and Hamas to fully implement the ceasefire, exercise maximum restraint, and adhere to international law, including relevant UN resolutions. The ceasefire must be consolidated to enable recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, he added. The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts.

Mr. Alakbarov said that while hunger has improved due to increased aid and commercial foodstuffs, key protein sources remain out of reach for most of the population, alongside severe shortages of clean water, medical care, and shelter. Humanitarian access remains restricted, with aid convoys facing logistical and security obstacles. He called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and allow the full, unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance.

The Deputy Special Coordinator also condemned rising settler violence across the West Bank, which intensified during the olive harvest. Attacks have become more frequent and violent, often with the presence or support of Israeli security forces.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warns that heavy rains are compounding the already dire conditions that families are enduring.

Our partners report that the storm continued overnight and into today, causing severe flooding of more than 40 designated emergency shelters – mostly in Khan Younis and Gaza City.

Some displaced families sought shelter in bathrooms or temporary learning spaces after their tents were damaged. The latest estimates from our partners indicate that some 700 tents have been damaged or otherwise impacted by the flooding, with thousands of people affected.

Teams helping manage displacement sites are clearing blocked drainage channels and pumping floodwater away from shelter yards.

In recent days – and despite ongoing challenges to the humanitarian response – the UN and our humanitarian partners have been working to address the needs of families across the Strip, despite the harsh conditions on the ground.

Yesterday, the UN and our partners coordinated nine humanitarian movements inside Gaza with the Israeli authorities. Four were facilitated and three were impeded but eventually completed. These missions allowed us to collect critical supplies from the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings – including food, fuel, blankets, tents, and winter clothing. The other two missions were impeded – and only one of them was able to be partially accomplished. 

In Khan Younis, damage to the Bani Suhaila Mekorot water pipeline was repaired yesterday, after access to the facility was granted by the Israeli authorities.

The UN and our partners continue to provide support to affected families through a system that was set up for a rapid, joint response to flooding alerts.

It brings together UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, working side by side to distribute tents, tarp, warm clothes, blankets and dignity kits across Gaza.

Last Saturday, our partners providing nutrition support distributed 7.5 kilograms of high-energy biscuits per household to more than 1,000 families who were affected by the latest rainstorm in various areas.

Also, our partners supporting agricultural services told us that the distribution of veterinary kits resumed on Sunday after being temporarily paused due to adverse weather. Since the start of the distribution on 9 December, approximately 400 herders have received these kits, along with animal fodder.

Full Highlights:
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-16