Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Sexual violence
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Romania
– South Sudan
– Ebola
– Passing of Lieutenant General Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor
– International Days
– Financial contribution
SEXUAL VIOLENCE
The Secretary-General’s report on conflict-related sexual violence was issued today, and it said that cases of conflict-related sexual violence verified by the United Nations in 2025 rose sharply from 2024, marked by extreme brutality, and overwhelmingly targeted women and girls. A total of 77 parties, including state and non-state actors, are listed this year for cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including parties added to the list in previous years.
The report says that in 2025, documented cases of sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture, terrorism and political repression surged, while multiple and overlapping political, security and humanitarian crises worsened.
Abduction and sexual violence formed part of a broader pattern of attacks by armed groups in remote areas in Burkina Faso, Mali and northern Mozambique, with girls as young as 11 being forced into sexual slavery and repeated rapes in captivity, leading to unwanted pregnancies.
The Secretary-General said that sexual violence was perpetrated in detention in multiple settings, such as in Israel and the State of Palestine, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. In Myanmar, patterns of sexual violence continued to be used in detention settings as part of the repertoire of political violence to intimidate and punish opponents.
The full report is online, and, as I mentioned, you just heard from Pramila Patten.
LEBANON
Moving to Lebanon, our peacekeeping mission there in southern Lebanon continues to observe intensive Israel Defense Forces (IDF) air and ground activity across the UNIFIL area of operations.
IDF activity was also reported north of the Litani River. Yesterday UNIFIL reported 350 firing incidents attributed to the IDF and 25 to Hizbullah.
Also yesterday, a UNIFIL convoy carrying an injured peacekeeper was stopped by the IDF and delayed for about an hour before being able to proceed. As a reminder, all parties have to ensure UNIFIL has unrestricted access and freedom of movement in the conduct of its activities mandated by the Security Council.
On the occasion of the International Day of the Peacekeepers, which, as you know is marked today, but ceremonies will take place next week on Friday. In Lebanon, UNIFIL held a solemn ceremony at its Naqoura headquarters, which included a tribute to fallen peacekeepers. As you will recall, six UNIFIL peacekeepers have been tragically killed in the hostilities in southern Lebanon since 2 March, with several more wounded. In his remarks at the ceremony, the General heading UNIFIL, General Diodato Abagnara stressed that a political and diplomatic path remains the only viable solution to the conflict, adding that UNIFIL remains committed to supporting the parties in restoring the cessation of hostilities and creating the conditions for a permanent ceasefire.
On the humanitarian front, our OCHA colleagues report that humanitarian access and emergency response capacity continue to face severe constraints.
In Nabatieh, strikes reportedly impacted a key road in Marjayoun. That took place yesterday. That road is critical for emergency medical evacuations, also for aid and humanitarian workers to move about, and for people’s access to essential goods and services.
Elsewhere in Lebanon, local authorities tell us that repeated evacuation orders forcing families to flee repeatedly and then return to their homes as security conditions shift.
The Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, said today that he is deeply alarmed by the intensification of hostilities and the impact the evacuation orders have on communities across the country.
In a statement, he referred to reports that airstrikes have harmed civilians as they attempted to leave areas under displacement orders, stressing that international humanitarian law clearly states that civilians, including health workers and first responders, must be protected.
Meanwhile, we and our humanitarian partners continue to provide critical assistance across the country. Since March 2nd, the World Food Programme and its partners have distributed more than 11 million hot and cold meals to people affected by this conflict in Lebanon.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, our OCHA colleagues tell us that last night, an Israeli air strike hit a residential area less than 600 feet – that is about 200 metres – from five humanitarian facilities in Deir al Balah. Luckily, no casualties were reported.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-05-29