Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Madagascar
Myanmar
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Yemen
Syria
Ecuador
Deputy Secretary-General
Central African Republic
Guests Tomorrow
MADAGASCAR
The Secretary-General has been closely following the situation in Madagascar and is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction of property since the beginning of the youth-led protests on 25 September. He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and calls on the authorities to comply with international human rights law. He underscores that protests must take place in a peaceful manner, respecting life, property and the rule of law, and calls for dialogue towards forging a constructive path forward.
MYANMAR
The Secretary-General is alarmed by reports of an aerial attack in Chaung-U, Sagaing Region, on 6 October said to have claimed the lives of dozens of people, including children, and injured many more.
He extends his condolences to the families of the victims and calls for immediate, safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to help those in need, including for first responders providing medical care to the wounded.
This tragic incident, if confirmed, would add to a disturbing pattern of indiscriminate attacks affecting civilians across the country. It also exacerbates the suffering in Sagaing – one of the most severely impacted regions by the earthquake earlier this year.
The indiscriminate use of airborne munitions is unacceptable. All parties to the conflict must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with international law.
The Secretary-General reiterates his consistent calls regarding Myanmar: end the violence, protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and pursue an inclusive path toward a peaceful resolution.
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that Israeli military operations have continued – including in the Rimal and Zaitoun neighbourhoods in Gaza City – making the already dire humanitarian situation even more perilous.
In the last two years, nearly 42,000 Palestinians have suffered major, potentially life-changing injuries in Gaza. One in four of those injured are children, and more than 5,000 amputations have been recorded. That is according to our colleagues at the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, UN partners on the ground report that many people are unable to leave the north due to insecurity. People are sleeping out in the open and struggling to survive, amid severe food and shelter shortages.
Today, the UN Satellite Centre published a preliminary analysis showing that the extent of damage in Gaza City alone encompasses 83 per cent of the structures. About 81,000 housing units have been damaged.
Turning to the West Bank, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that they remain deeply concerned by the impact of ongoing Israeli operations in the West Bank, including those in refugee camps in the northern areas. These operations have now entered their tenth month. Tens of thousands of people remain displaced from their homes in the Tulkarm, Nur Shams and Jenin camps.
Meanwhile, ahead of the olive harvest season, which represents a key economic, social and cultural event for Palestinians, OCHA says that some farmers in Nablus, Salfit and Qalqiliya were unable to harvest their crops in the past few days due to physical attacks by Israeli settlers because their trees were vandalized.
In the first nine months of this year, OCHA documented more than 1,200 attacks by Israeli settlers across the West Bank which resulted in Palestinian casualties, damage of properties or both. This includes damage to more than 17,000 trees and saplings.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=08%20October%202025