Lebanon, Gaza & other topics - Daily Press Briefing

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

That's it? Shocking that I have to wait for all you people. All right, good afternoon. Our Secretary-General, as announced, arrived in Haiti earlier today. He was greeted at the airport in Port-au-Prince by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. He then went on to visit Cap Vertier, a site hosting the Gang Suppression Force. He began the visit by touring a briefing by our colleagues at the UN Support Office for Haiti, explaining the operational and logistical support they provide to the force in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2793. While there, the Secretary-General was also briefed by the Force Commander of the Gang Suppression Force, Before the day is over, the Secretary-General will have met with the Prime Minister. He will also be meeting with Haitians impacted by the violence in the country, and of course he will stop and meet with representatives of civil society as well as our UN colleagues on the ground. Later in the afternoon, he's expected to speak to the press., and we've planned a live broadcast of the event that you'll be able to follow on UN Web TV, so just start watching around 3:30. It may be a little delayed, but it will— should be on. He will then head back to Santo Domingo, and before flying back to New York tomorrow, he will have a meeting with the President of the Republic— the President of the Dominican Republic in Santo Domingo, and also meeting with the UN country team. On arrival yesterday in Santo Domingo, the Secretary-General thanked the Dominican government for the support it has been providing to the UN's work in Haiti. Turning to Lebanon, UNIFIL peacekeepers are continuing to observe violence and exchange of fire within their area of operations at a significant— although at a significantly reduced level compared to the weekend. The mission recorded 38 violations of Lebanese airspace by Israeli Defense Forces yesterday, down from 83 reported on Sunday. The number of trajectories of projectiles also dropped markedly, with 174 recorded all day yesterday compared to 705 on Sunday. Yesterday's total, uh, 169 were attributed to the IDF. Thank you. 5 to Hezbollah. From midnight until 4 PM local time today, peacekeepers reported 22 airspace violations by the IDF and about 106 trajectories of projectiles, 103 attributed to the IDF and the remainder to non-state actors, presumably Hezbollah. Our peacekeeping colleagues continue to monitor IDF ground activities across its area of operations. Included armored movements, logistical and engineering activities as well. On the humanitarian front, through the liaison branch and in coordination with our own humanitarian colleagues at OCHA, UNIFIL facilitated a humanitarian mission yesterday to Tyre and surrounding areas. On the broader humanitarian front in Lebanon, some displaced families, we are told, are cautiously returning to their places of origin following Sunday's announcement of the agreement between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to Lebanese authorities, the number of displaced people hosted in collective shelters has decreased by about 10,000 over the last 4 days, from around 134,000 on Friday to approximately 124,000 as of 3 PM local time today. In South Governorate, about 2,700 people reportedly left collective shelters. Yesterday they did. However, it remains unclear whether these movements represent temporary returns to assess homes and property or more sustained returns. While violence has decreased since Sunday, incidents in southern Lebanon continue to be reported, which has a direct impact on people's ability to check on their homes or to move around. The presence also of unexploded ordnance remains a very serious concern for all. We continue to call for the protection of civilians, for the return to be— for their returns to be safe, to be voluntary, and to be informed, supported by sustained humanitarian access and assistance for those who need it. Turning to the occupied Palestinian territory, our OCHA colleagues tell us that we and our humanitarian partners continue to respond to both ongoing and emergency needs across Gaza, while urging a more enabling operational environment and increased funding to reach the most vulnerable. Partners note that shortages in fuel, engine oil, and spare parts continue to undermine critical water and sanitation operations, including water production and distribution, as well as solid waste management. Though prioritized fuel allocations, water productions and treatment, and trucking have continued, but at a reduced rate. Meanwhile, partners are advancing in the pest management plan As you'll recall, there was an infestation of pests. The UN Development Programme is leading on pesticide application efforts while UNICEF and UNRWA are supporting community mobilization and safety measures. On food security, partners report that in the first 2 weeks of June, nearly 420,000 people received food assistance, including 2 food parcels, high-energy biscuits, and 1 bag of flour per family.— this covers approximately 75% of minimum daily caloric needs. In support of livelihoods, between the 1st and the 9th of June, partners distributed animal feed to around 2,200 herders, with each household receiving one 50-kilogram bag of concentrated fodder and one bag of barley. In addition, since late March, partners have provided conditional cash assistance of $2,500 per farmer to more than 1,000 farmers, supporting the reactivation of local crop production across the Gaza Strip. We're doing everything we can, but the needs remain rather immense. We reiterate that sustained humanitarian access, adequate food supplies, and increased funding remains critical to maintain and to scale up life-saving activities. Turning to the Democratic Republic of the We begin with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where humanitarian colleagues tell us that escalating violence in the east of the country continues to take a heavy toll on civilians, constraining aid operations and complicating our efforts to contain Ebola outbreak. In the province of North Kivu, clashes over the weekend in the territories of Walikale and Massissi forced hundreds of families to flee. On June 13th, at least 3 civilians were killed and 5 injured during shelling in the towns of Munda and Buhimba. That's what local authorities are telling us. Essential services, including health and schools, remain disrupted as a result of the ongoing violence. Meanwhile, in the province of South Kivu, our humanitarian colleagues note that hostilities continued through yesterday with airstrikes, with shelling and gunfire reported in populated areas in the territories of Fizi, Uvira, and Kalehe. This has further disrupted humanitarian access and left more people without any assistance. Ongoing clashes resulting in displacement risks are increasing the risk of transmission of Ebola, particularly as people move to and from affected provinces. Our partners are ready to respond but are constrained by poor access. As of June 14th, health authorities reported 21 new confirmed cases, bringing the total of 808 cases across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu. Despite the challenges, we, along with our humanitarian partners, continue to support national authorities in containing the outbreak through patient care, strengthened surveillance, prevention measures, risk communication, providing safe and dignified burials. We urgently reiterate our call on all parties to protect civilians and to ensure safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access. And back here this morning, Hans Grunberg, the Special Envoy for Yemen, told Security Council members that he continues to engage with the parties as well as regional and international stakeholders in Riyadh, in Muscat, Oman, Brussels, and in New York. He said these engagements have helped build confidence towards the launch of an inclusive political process to end this conflict. For his part, Tom Fletcher, our Humanitarian Emergency Coordinator, painted a bleak picture of the humanitarian situation, warning that the proportion of people unable to meet their basic food needs has risen from nearly half to nearly 60% in just one month. Without urgent action, he said, conditions will continue to deteriorate. Both officials again called for the release of detained colleagues and other personnel by the Houthis. And this morning, the Secretary-General addressed by video message the Austria World Summit, He thanked President of Austria Van der Bellen and Arnold Schwarzenegger for their leadership in mobilizing and advocating for climate action. The Secretary-General said that for 10 years, the Austria World Summit has rallied leaders, innovators, citizens to drive climate action forward. That mission, he stressed, is more urgent than ever as the climate crisis enters a dangerous phase. The Secretary-General pointed out that the world will inevitably overshoot the 1.5-degree limit and that the conflict in the Middle East has triggered the most severe energy crisis in a generation. He underscored that the fossil fuel age is failing and renewable age is rising, urging all to make it fair, fast, and unstoppable. That text was shared with you. Also on climate, our friends at UNICEF today released a report showing that nearly half of the world's children— that's 1.1 billion children— are now exposed to at least 3 overlapping climate hazards threatening their health, their education, and their mere survival. According to the report, almost every child in the world faces at least one climate hazard, while more than 4 million could face as many as 6 overlapping threats. For the first time, the report reveals exactly where and how intense multiple and overlapping climate threats are affecting children and the essential social services they rely on, and how governments can take concrete actions to respond. UNICEF tells us that drought, extreme heat, and heat waves are the most widespread combination of climate hazards, with more than 296 million children living in areas where they're exposed to all three. The second most common combination— drought, extreme heat, pro— extreme heat and tropical storms— leaves more than 115 million children worldwide exposed to those overlapping threats. The full report is online. And also on a related note, our friends in Rome at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization released a report today that shows that $184 billion trade in aqua— aquatic animal products continues to hit record highs and now rivals the terrestrial meat trade in value. Ensuring sustainable and equitable growth of marine and inland ecosystems, however, remains a key challenge. The latest World Fisheries and Aquaculture Report warns that climate change, environmental degradation, economic shock, and geopolitical shifts are all affecting performance and sustainability. For example, under high-emission scenarios, exploitable fish biomass is projected to decline by 10% by 2050 in many regions. That report is also online. And our colleagues at the UN Human Rights Office today published a report warning about the persistent use of anti-personnel mines, landmines, and their dire impacts on civilians. The report says at least 8 58 states and territories were contaminated with anti-personnel mines in 2025. According to the most recent data available, landmines and explosive remnants of war killed at least 1,945 people and injured 4,325 others in 2024. The latest estimates also suggest that states continue to hold millions of anti-personnel mines in their stockpiles. The report urges states to uphold international law limiting the use of these mines and to protect the rights of survivors and communities through sustained support. Today is the International Day of Family Remittances. Every year, migrants send nearly $700 billion in remittances to their families in low- and middle-income countries. These payments provide basic needs, create jobs, and support small businesses, and open to opportunities, especially for women and youth. Tomorrow, our guest will be our good friend Jean-Martin Bauer, the Director of WFP's Food Security Nutrition Analysis Service, and Raine Paulson, also our good friend from FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience. They will brief you on the FAO/WFP Hunger Hotspots Report. Always interesting. No quiz, no money. Edith and Pam.

Thank you, Steph. Do you have any update on— Who might— whether the UN will be represented in any way in Geneva at the signing ceremony on Friday?

At this point, I do not expect, but again, I think the location— from what I've— press reports I've seen, also the location of the signature in Switzerland may shift, so— but I will let you know.

And on this— monitoring mission for the Strait of Hormuz that the French, British, and others have been organizing and have announced? Is the UN going to be part in— of that in any way?

My understanding was that more of a mining mission, but we're trying to get some details, and I will let you know. Pamela.

Thank you, Steph. A little more on the Iran agreement. Is there any sense that— there's been some talk that there is an expectation that the U.N. Security Council might be presented with an endorsement like it was in 2015. It wouldn't be the SG's mandate, but would the SG encourage that to happen this time again?

Well, I—

And— well, okay, I have a follow-up.

Yeah, I mean, I think first of all, it's important for us and I think everybody to see the actual text. I think as a matter of just policy or practice, I think any peace agreement that is enshrined in a security Security Council resolution gives it an added level of armor or strength.

And since there is a piece that is like JCPOA on the nuclear issue, do you expect the IAEA—

Again, I think—

We don't know.

We don't know. And there's no— Obviously, the IAEA has a clear role to play in any any nuclear issues, but again, we don't know.

And as far as you're saying there's no back-channel people asking you, the negotiators, what did you do the last time, any of this?

Well, you know, I think step one is seeing the agreement.

Thank you.

Gabriel.

Thanks, Steph. As you noted in your remarks on Lebanon, UNIFIL, uh, uh, was able to verify, or at least count, between midnight and 4 PM local time, 106 trajectory of projectiles, 103 of the 106 attributed to the IDF. Um, that's over 95%, if not more than that. Why not call it what it is and the vast majority coming from one side rather than the other?

Well, I mean, I think the numbers speak for themselves.

And what is the— what is the path going forward when we're—

Well, I mean, hopefully the path going forward is zero, right? I mean, that's what we want to see. We're already seeing a huge reduction, and we're talking from 705 to 174, right? So it's a huge reduction. We want to see that arrow continue to form— to point downwards.

And we haven't seen the memorandum of understanding yet, but is the expectation from the Secretary-General that Lebanon will be included in that, or is it—

Because it's already having, you know, the fact that there was announcement of the agreement, we've seen the report, some sort of electronic signature. I mean, again, we know what you know at this point, and that it's had so far a mitigating a positive impact on the situation in Lebanon. We hope that continues. Okay, yes, sir.

Thank you, Steph. Jerry Cao for the China Central Television. How does the Secretary General see the Iranian national football team being required to leave the United States immediately after last night's World Cup match? I ask this because similar situation Also arise in the United Nations, uh, where country leaders and the foreign ministers, uh, sometimes deny the U.S. visa to attend the U.N. meetings.

I'm not going to start commenting on FIFA and whatever, uh, whatever agreement, uh, FIFA has with host countries. That is not— our lives are complicated enough at the U.N. that I'm not going to get involved in that. For visas for visiting delegations to the UN, we've always called on our host country to deliver visas as per the host country agreement. Okay. Hasta la vista.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.