Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
UNIFIL
Lebanon
Syria
Strait of Hormuz
Middle East
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Sudan
Haiti
Peacebuilding
Resident Coordinators
Senior Personnel Appointments
Financial Contribution Summary
UNIFIL
The situation in the Middle East continues to be very volatile, with ongoing hostilities gravely impacting our peacekeeping operations. Tragically, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, has suffered three fatalities as we announced previously.
These incidents are unacceptable and demand full accountability.
Investigations are underway, and, despite the challenging situation on the ground, we should be able to update you very soon on their outcome. These indeed take time, as technical experts examine physical evidence on the scenes, while others look at context and liaise with parties to collect and verify information. The circumstances on the ground are such that deconflicting with parties in some instances have prevented timely access to the incident scenes for the investigation, which has caused delays.
However, as he briefed troop-contributing countries earlier today on the situation there, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Head of UN Peacekeeping, reiterated our firm commitment to establishing the full facts and circumstances surrounding each of these events. He also reminded that attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.
Meanwhile, he stressed that developments on the ground were continuously being monitored to enhance safety and security and mitigate risks, including physical measures, reduced exposure, and strong communications.
He also expressed his most sincere gratitude for the commitment of your courageous women and men serving in our peace operations in the Middle East under such challenging conditions, fulfilling mandates given by the Security Council.
On the ground, UNIFIL peacekeepers witnessed today large explosions and demolitions in the village of Naqoura, nearby UNIFIL Headquarters.
According to the Mission, the level of indirect fire remained very high across the area of operations. The level of IDF military activity also remained high, with an axis of activity over Bent Jbeil, Ainata, Naqoura and Bayddah. Peacekeepers are continuing to detect rockets launches from the area of operations towards Israel and on IDF troops advancing inside Lebanon.
Yesterday, UNIFIL detected 62 airspace violations.
Missile interceptions were also observed in the area of operations including Naqoura, Yaroun, Maron Ar-Ras, El Adeisse, Tyre, Markaba and Alma ash Sha’b.
UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in positions and monitor the situation.
LEBANON
Today, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, met in Beirut with the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri.
Mr. Fletcher spent the last two days witnessing first-hand the devastating impacts on the conflict that Lebanon has been dragged into on the humanitarian situation in the country. He visited a collective shelter and met with displaced families and frontline responders, including Lebanese Red Cross staff and ambulance teams.
The scale of humanitarian needs continues to outpace available resources. We’ve received just $94 million of the $308 million requested in the Flash Appeal — just one third of what we need. We urgently need more funding to sustain and scale up the humanitarian response as needs surge.
We and our humanitarian partners continue to step up efforts to protect and help people.
We have reached thousands of children and their caregivers with psychosocial support, and are working to reunite families and alert people to the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war.
Mr. Fletcher also visited the country’s border with Syria.
More than 200,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria since the start of the escalation, and Mr. Fletcher met with families who have chosen to return to Syria from Lebanon. Many told him of their determination to return to their communities and contribute to rebuilding their country.
We and our partners on both sides of the border continue to support people on the move and ensure that aid reaches those most in need.
SYRIA
Following his visit to Lebanon, Tom Fletcher will travel to Syria, where he will join Under-Secretary-General Alexander De Croo, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, to underscore the need to move from a humanitarian response to development, recovery and reconstruction.
During their visit, they will meet with President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, and other senior Government officials, as well as with people who have returned to Syria following years of conflict.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-04-01