UN Daily Press Briefing: Gaza Ceasefire, Syria Conflict, Ukraine War, and Global Issues (January 19, 2026)

Secretary-General's Activities and UN Reform

• ✈️ The Secretary-General has returned to New York after meetings near Geneva and cancelled a trip to Davos due to illness.
• 🇬🇧 He recently addressed an 80th anniversary commemoration of the General Assembly in London, emphasizing the need to respect international law and strengthen multilateralism for the world of 2026.
• 🤝 Discussions with the UK Foreign Secretary included Ukraine, Sudan, and UN reform.

Humanitarian Situation in Occupied Palestinian Territory

• 🕊️ The ceasefire agreement in Gaza, now over 100 days old, must hold to save civilian lives, though humanitarian work is hindered by restrictions and weather.
• 🌍 The World Food Programme is reaching over a million people monthly but calls for additional safe humanitarian corridors.
• 💉 A second round of routine immunization for children under three is underway in Gaza, with a third round planned for April 2026.
• 🏘️ In the West Bank, Israeli forces imposed a curfew on 25,000 Palestinians in Hebron's H2 area, disrupting essential services, education, and access to supplies.

Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises

• 🇸🇾 In Syria, humanitarian aid is being provided following clashes in Aleppo, Raqqa, Derzour, and Al-Hasake, with public services suspended and transport routes closed in Azour City.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine faces continued attacks on energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages amid freezing temperatures, with recent attacks killing nine civilians and injuring over 50.
• 🇸🇸 The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMIS) is concerned by renewed fighting and aerial bombardments, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation.
• 🌊 Mozambique is dealing with severe flooding affecting over half a million people, damaging infrastructure and disrupting supply chains, with the government requesting UN support for response efforts.

Global Trends and UN Operations

• ⚖️ Despite a global trend towards abolition, there was a sharp increase in executions worldwide last year, particularly for drug-related offenses.
• peacekeeping missions by reviewing policies on equipment and services to ensure effectiveness, safety, and cost-efficiency.
• 💧 The UN University's Institute for Water, Environment, and Health will discuss its report on global water issues.
• 💰 Barbados and the Netherlands have paid their regular budget contributions, bringing the number of member states on the UN honor roll to 17.

Press Inquiries and UN Stance

• ❓ Questions were raised about a "Board of Peace," its relationship with the UN, and its potential role in Gaza, with the UN emphasizing its work aligns with Security Council resolutions.
• 🏛️ The Secretary-General advocates for greater inclusiveness and reform of the Security Council to reflect current global realities, noting the need for member states to agree on any changes.
• 💬 Regarding Syria, the UN welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces, calling for an end to violence and protection of civilians.
• 📚 The UN clarified that decisions regarding educational materials, such as the removal of the word "Palestine" from a Lebanese geography book, are made by educators working with UNRWA.
• 🇱🇧 The UN reiterated its concern over violations of the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel and urged adherence to the ceasefire.