UN Noon Briefing: Gaza Crisis, Sudan Conflict, Syria Sanctions Relief, and Development Financing

Secretary-General and Development Financing

• 🇪🇸 The Secretary-General met with Heads of Multilateral Development Banks in Sevilla, Spain, focusing on Financing for Development.
• 💡 Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called for a shift from international assistance to investments in sustainable development at the FFD4 conference.
• 💰 She also addressed debt sustainability in developing countries, emphasizing the need to break the debt cycle.

Gaza Humanitarian Crisis

• ⚠️ Israeli military operations have intensified in northern Gaza, displacing at least 1,500 families.
• 🏥 Five school buildings sheltering displaced families were reportedly hit, and Al-Aqsa Hospital sustained damage, with 734 attacks on healthcare documented since October 2023.
• 🚚 Movement restrictions remain a major challenge for aid operations, with only 8 out of 15 humanitarian missions facilitated yesterday.
• ⛽ Fuel supplies are critically low, forcing Alshifa hospital to suspend kidney dialysis services and limiting intensive care.
• 📉 The World Food Programme warns the window to prevent famine is closing fast, urging multiple access points and a sustained ceasefire.

Conflicts in Sudan and Syria

• 🕊️ The UN is intensifying diplomatic efforts for a political solution in Sudan, with a focus on de-escalation and civilian protection.
• 🆘 Humanitarian access in Sudan is severely limited, with over 30,000 people displaced in North and West Kordofan due to fighting.
• ⚠️ The risk of flooding during Sudan's rainy season could further disrupt aid delivery and heighten disease threats.
• 🇺🇸 The UN welcomed the rescinding of US economic sanctions on Syria, viewing it as a significant step towards recovery and stability.
• 📈 Explosive ordnance contamination continues to have a deadly impact in Syria, with over 390 civilians killed since the start of 2025.

Other Global Issues

• 🇨🇩 The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomed a cessation of hostilities agreement signed by six local armed groups in Ituri.
• 🇭🇹 The President of the Economic and Social Council urged the Security Council to consider a UN stabilization mission for Haiti and a significant support package for the multinational support force.
• 🌡️ The UN commented on record-breaking heat, stating it's the new normal and a terrifying reality of a heating planet.