United States, Protection of Civilians, Iran & other topics - Daily Press Briefing

Thank you. All right. Good afternoon. Secretary General is on a plane heading back to New York. Should be landing in a few hours. He concluded today his chairing of the biannual Chief Executives Board meeting. At the meeting of UN leaders in Japan, the heads of the UN system committed to building a stronger, more effective and more impactful United Nations in the face of greater challenges. and fewer resources. While in Tokyo, he also, Secretary General had also had an audience with His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan. And I do need to apologize because we issued a readout of that meeting that should not have been issued. We withdrew it from the platforms and we do apologize for having done so. The Secretary General also had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Motegi Toshimitsu. Discussion focused on the UN-Japan partnership and the Secretary General underscoring that organizations had benefited enormously from Japan's generosity and commitment to the multilateral system. At a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Mr. Guterres said he's determined to further strengthen that partnership for the future, noting that the true hallmark of a partnership is failed in times of crisis. In that context, he underscored the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in addressing today's global challenges. The Secretary General said the world today is being rocked by conflicts, by climate chaos and by inequality. Inflation is rising and the cost of living crisis is deepening, made worse by the conflict in the Middle East, which is sending prices for energy and raw materials skyrocketing. stressing that it is essential to immediately re-establish freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz, end all ceasefire violations and create the conditions for a political solution to the conflict. Also, I think a number of you had asked me, but I wanted to confirm that the Secretary-General did receive last night a call excuse me on Tuesday a call from Marco Rubio the Secretary of State of the United States during the call they discussed the situation in and around the Strait of Hormuz the Secretary General reaffirmed his call to reestablish full freedom of navigation in the Strait as well as the importance of efforts to help address global humanitarian needs including emerging challenges such as the outbreak of Ebola in the DRC and other areas they also discussed the important work of the World Programme and the Secretary-General explained the process of selection for the next Executive Director of the World Food Programme. Meanwhile, our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is on her way to Baku in Azerbaijan to attend the 13th session of the World Urban Forum. During her visit, Ms. Mohammed will deliver remarks at the closing ceremony of the forum and engage with governments and stakeholders to advance sustainable urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. In addition, there The Deputy Secretary-General will meet with senior government officials in Azerbaijan to discuss the country's partnership with the UN, especially on urban development, climate, and the environment. On Friday, on her way back to New York, the Deputy Secretary-General will stop briefly in the United Arab Emirates. She will meet with senior government officials to discuss the socioeconomic impacts of the conflict in the Middle East, as well as preparations towards the 2026 UN Water Conference, which is scheduled later this year. The Deputy Secretary General will be back in New York on Monday. Back here, Ademou Sorunu, the Director of OCHA's Crisis Response Division, spoke at today's Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians. saying that data drawn from 20 armed conflicts shows that one civilian was killed approximately every 14 minutes in 2025 she added that in 2025 the UN recorded more than 1350 attacks on medical care workers and facilities across 18 conflict while 147 million human beings faced acute food insecurity that year driven largely by conflict meanwhile she said sexual violence remained widespread The UN reporting over 9,300 cases last year, and the overwhelming majority of them being women and girls, with a total being obviously much higher. Protecting civilians in armed conflict is not charity, she said. It is the minimum that humanity and civilization require. She was speaking on behalf of Tom Fletcher, Emergency Relief Coordinator, and added that the need, asserted the need by all states to uphold their commitments under the charter of these United Nations. Staying on the same topic of protection of civilians, the principles of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which as you well know brings together the heads of UN agencies and our major NGO partners, today warned of a growing and blatant violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law in conflicts throughout the world. In a statement issued during the Protection of Civilians Week, they said that civilians, including children, are being killed, injured, and displaced at alarming scale while sexual violence, attacks on hospitals, schools and civilian infrastructure, as well as the denial of humanitarian access continue with impunity. The principles also highlighted the unprecedented toll on aid workers, with more than 1,000 humanitarian personnel killed in the past three years. They call on member states and the Security Council to uphold their responsibilities to protect civilians. Yesterday, one of you asked me about the activities of Jean Arnault, and I can tell you that the Secretary-General's personal Envoy for the Middle East Crisis and its Consequences, Jean Arnaud, is currently in New York for consultations. His visit here follows recent travels to Pakistan and Turkey. Mr. Arnaud remains committed to supporting in practical ways all efforts towards a comprehensive settlement. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, from the peacekeeping colleagues, Blue Helmets from the UN Peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon are continuing to observe significant air and ground activity across the area of operations, including multiple Israeli airstrikes yesterday in the vicinity of a number of towns in Sector West, as well as a number of towns in Sector East. According to the Lebanese authorities, 19 people, including three children, were killed yesterday by Israeli airstrikes. Peacekeepers recorded 348 incidents attributed to the Israeli Defense Forces and 23 trajectories attributed to Hezbollah, with seven projectile interceptions observed in the area of operations. UNIFIL personnel also observed a drone attack, apparently by a first-person view drone around 200 meters from the UNIFIL headquarters in the vicinity of Nakhor in Sector West. Peacekeepers continue to observe extensive Israeli defense military activity across the area of operations characterized by high density armored movements, large scale engineering works, and sustained logistical traffic alongside persistent artillery shelling, mortar fire, and rocket impacts. We continue to urge all to fully respect the cessation of hostilities agreement, cease any further attacks, and comply with their obligations under international law. including international humanitarian law. On the humanitarian side, our humanitarian colleagues in Lebanon tell us that they've received information from Lebanon's public health ministry that at least 22 people were killed and 28 were injured across southern Lebanon yesterday alone. That brings the total to more than 3,000 deaths and 9,301 injuries nationwide since March 2nd. People are still being forced from their homes with humanitarian needs still very high. Despite the agreement on cessation of hostilities, more than one million people, about a fifth of Lebanon's population, is displaced. UN Population Fund says about 13,000 pregnant women are currently displaced. Some 1,500 of them are expected to give birth in the next month and urgently need access to life-saving health care. Our humanitarian and health partners are continuing to expand their support in close coordination with the government of Lebanon. Since March 2nd, UNFPA says they provided sexual and reproductive health services and gender-based violence support to more than 80,000 displaced in health facilities, mobile teams, safe spaces in shelters and host communities. Our partners have also supported the Ministry of Public Health to provide more than 66,000 primary health care consultants and medicine for acute diseases, about 90,000 people. Turning to Gaza, our OCHA colleagues tell us that continued Israeli strikes are affecting residential areas and makeshift shelters. On Monday, an airstrike hit Jabalia camp, damaging 30 family these tents and tarpaulins. Humanitarian teams on the ground are in touch with those affected to assess their needs and to ensure they get adequate response as soon as possible. We reiterate that all civilians and civilian facilities must be protected at all times and not be targeted. Meanwhile, aid workers report continued impediments to their movements in areas where Israeli forces require humanitarian teams to coordinate their movements with them. Yesterday, a convoy was delayed for about an hour at congested Israeli holding Another mission to collect supplies requiring refrigeration had to be canceled because of significant delays on the way to the Karim Shalom, Karim Abu Salem checkpoint. And a third mission could not proceed after the allocated road was found impassable. These constraints have made it challenging for aid groups to provide assistance and essential supplies to people. Still, our partners continue responding. For example, we and our humanitarian partners have recently scaled up delivery of housing units with more durable walling compared with tents. Since January, the UN Development Program has taken some 2,500 of these units into Gaza, and partners have installed more than half dozen of them across several sites they will serve as clinics classrooms and homes as a reminder 900 and thousand nine hundred thousand men women and children across the Gaza Strip urgently need shelter assistance and durable housing condition on food security we are supporting the production of about 330,000 bread bundles every day each bundle weighs about two kilograms these are distributed free of charge in more than 300 shelters and community sites or sold at subsidized prices to about 170 shops. And an update on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Dr. Tedros spoke to the press today and said there were about almost 600 suspected cases and about 139 fatalities. reported. He said the epidemic has expanded with cases reported in several urban areas, including, as we mentioned, Bunia, Goma, and Kampala. Dr. Tedros also highlighted the challenges posed by the significant population movement in the DRC where the outbreak is occurring. To support the response, the head of WHO has also released additional $3.4 million from the contingency fund of emergencies, bringing the total to $3.9 million. On the ground, our colleagues at WFP are telling us today that the Ebola outbreak could worsen food insecurity unless access constraints are overcome and assistance is scaled up. The Food Agency is working closely with the government of the DRC, WHO partners to support the coordinated response, facilitating the movement of responders, medical supplies and essential cargo, especially in hard to reach areas, and there are many of those in that region. Our WFP colleagues plan to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to patients, vulnerable families, contact cases, and affected families. As we mentioned, they've also mobilized immediately, leveraging their operational footprint and longstanding presence in the eastern DRC, and helped to transport about 40 aid workers and critical medical equipment to affected areas on the front lines of the outbreak. The support is continuing. As a reminder, 26.5 million people across the DRC are already facing acute food insecurity and with needs far outpacing the response. Almost 10 million people are facing crisis or emergency levels of hunger in the eastern part of the country. Again, without sustained support, we risk leaving most vulnerable people exposed to both disease and hunger. And in Sudan, our colleagues at the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are deeply concerned about the growing impact of drone attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure across the country. Local sources say that at least 28 people were killed and dozens more injured yesterday in a drone attack on a crowded market in Gubayish town in West Kordofan. Additional drone strikes were reported in the cities of Al-Fula, Babanusa, and Abu Zabad, reportedly causing further civilian casualties damage to civilian properties. We, of course, condemn each of those deadly drone attacks. Despite insecurity and limits on access, we and our partners are continuing to provide lifesaving aid to people across Sudan. Across the country, humanitarian organizations reached nine million people between January and April this year. In South Darfur, about 170,000 people received food rations for April. Distribution for May is obviously underway. We and our partners are also supporting aid convoys in El Obeid, which is North Kordofan state, and the reopening on Monday of a crucial road linking North and South Kordofan following months of disruptions caused by fighting and insecurity. Our partners have started using the road to move medical and other life-saving supplies to Dilling, where shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies have increased humanitarian needs. However, security conditions along the route remain unstable. Local sources say drone attacks, drone strikes yesterday hit Dilling and nearby areas, reportedly striking a commercial truck and causing civilian damage. OCHA, we once again call on all parties to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, and allowed aid to reach people quickly, safely, without any obstruction. Meanwhile, rising economic hardship and funding shortfalls are increasing humanitarian needs. WFP says the cost of its local food basket in Sudan rose by nearly 18% in April compared to March. That is driven by sharp increase in the prices of sorghum and wheat flour. And from Ukraine, we joined our colleagues from UNHCR and OCHA in speaking out against an attack last night in Dnipro, in which a UNHCR contracted warehouse was struck by a ballistic missile. UNHCR representatives in Ukraine, Bernadette Castel Hollingsworth, sent her deepest condolences to the families of the two workers who were killed in what she called a horrific attack, as well as to the families of all civilians killed in the attacks across the country in the last 24 hours. Significant amount of aids, including blankets and hygiene kits valued in more than $1 million, were destroyed in the attack. UNHCR and its NGO partners were intending to distribute these supplies to evacuees and other collective sites and transit sites, as well as people whose homes have been damaged. Ms. Cassel Hollingsworth stressed that this is an abhorrent act that once again has humanitarian premises and aid items damaged by airstrikes amid repeated incidents in which aid workers were harmed while delivering aid to those who most need it. Authorities say at least 12 civilians were killed and more than 90 injured across Ukraine, including that includes four children. According to Ukrainian authorities, the northern and northeastern Cherniv and Sumi regions were among the most heavily affected. Humanitarian organizations provided immediate emergency assistance following the attacks in Chernihiv and Sumy, including emergency shelter material and other support. The attacks continue to damage civilian infrastructure, including gas, with parts of six regions still without electricity, according to local sources. Back on this in this hemisphere, a quick update from Haiti and our human rights colleagues with a grim update and who tell us that at least 390 people have been killed due to intense gang fighting in Cite Soleil and Croix-Des-Bouquets. This was documented between the 6th March and 16th May. Our colleagues say the violence stemmed from competing efforts by gangs to expand or reestablish control. We've mentioned here the population has been heavily impacted. Many people were inside their homes or while fleeing, while others were deliberately targeted on suspicion of collaboration. Sexual violence was also reportedly used as punishment, and at least 87 homes and public buildings were burned, disrupting essential services such as health care, education, and commerce. Our colleagues tell us that despite the ongoing security operation, the situation remains volatile. Lastly, yes, lastly, yes, Benno, don't worry. Yes, we have a guest tomorrow, Vanessa Frazer, Special Representative of Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict. She'll be here to brief you on her recent mission to Haiti, in fact. Edie, please.

Thank you, Steph. A couple of follow-ups. Why did the UN need to withdraw a readout on a meeting between the Secretary General and the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Is there some Japanese taboo on?

-- It's a protocol mistake on our part. Readouts are traditionally not given after meetings with the Emperor.

Secondly, on the phone call that the Secretary General had with Marco Rubio, was the Secretary General's proposal to try and get fertilizer and food through the Strait of Hormuz under the current situation discussed?

I think there were general discussions about the situation around the Strait and the need to get it reopened.

Thirdly, can we get some more granular details on this statistic that one civilian is being killed every 14 minutes in 20 different conflicts.

Yes, I will get that from our OCHA colleagues. Benno.

And lastly, Jean Arnaud is in New York. Is there any chance that he might grace us with his presence?

Well, as To quote one of my favorite movies, Dumb and Dumber, there's always a chance. Benno. It was a good movie. It was a great movie. You're telling me there's a chance?

Regarding the phone call between Mr. Rubin and Mr. Guterres, who initiated the call? You said he was calling.

Yeah, the US initiated the call.

But were you ever asking for a call before or was that?

I mean, no, this was a request by the US for the call. Yes, Linda, please.

Apropos of Benno's question, can you give us a little more information to read out about the call?

Well, I mean, you may have walked in after I gave the readout, but basically they spoke about I mean, if you don't pay attention to what I say, don't expect me to pay attention. They discussed, as I mentioned to Edie, the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, as Xi reaffirmed his position to the need to reestablish full freedom of navigation in the strait. They talked about efforts to address global humanitarian needs, including the outbreak of Ebola in Uganda and the DRC, and they discussed the important work of the World Food program.

And one thing, has the SG been in touch with the Iranians regarding the Strait of Hormuz recently?

Our, his, and Mr. Jorge Moura da Silva has been in touch regularly with the Iranians off and on on that. Thank you. Mr. Vaccara.

Thank you, Stefan. About the flotilla, it seems like that, actually there are also videos, but it seems like the prisoners have been mistreated and the government of Italy, also France, they, you know, they want the excuses from the Israeli government is becoming some situation that would say that he's probably the worst that happened so far. Does the Secretary General have any reaction of what happened in the last 24 hours? Also, the change between those governments between Israel and Italy and so on.

Look, I think all the people who have been detained should be returned swiftly. to their own countries. It is -- and it is imperative that they be treated well along international regulations.

And then another question on the call of the Secretary of State with the Secretary General. Did the Secretary General ask anything about the use or the potential use of weapons, the eventuality of a use of weapon that can be called of mass destructions or, you know, I'm referring to how the President of United States refer to the situation saying more than once that if that there is now an agreement, there would be nothing left of, it is not clear if of the Iranian government or the entire country.

I mean, I think when those comments were made, we were very clear in our reaction. As I said, the conversation, I think, was a very practical one. Okay, anyone on screen? Okay.

Hi, Stefan. Oh, sorry.

Go ahead, Islam, and then we'll go to Jesus.

Yes, my question sort of was asked, but I just would like to follow up a little bit. Especially Israeli National Security Minister Benny Gantz shared a video on his account, on his X account, and it was very disturbing, sort of boasting about the humiliation against those kidnapped and detained Sumud Filatela activists. What else you can add on that? Because those activists, they were being treated like a criminal, even like a terrorist, you know, face down on the ground. And it was very disturbing video.

Look, as I said, everyone who has been detained by the Israeli authorities who are members of the flotilla needs to be treated with respect and dignity, like anyone who is detained, and they need to be returned back to their homes. immediately. Yes, Jesus.

I wanted to ask about this call yesterday, if they talked about the situation in Cuba, or if there is any update.

My understanding is that they did not speak about the situation in this hemisphere. It was focused on the two issues, I mean, on the issues that I've already laid out.

Is there any new update on the concerns that you mentioned in general?

No, I mean, you know, I would say say that the concern grows by the day as the humanitarian situation in Cuba continues to be even more challenging by the day. Okay, on that note, thank you.