Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United Nations (video statements)

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Middle East Khaled Khiari said that strengthened cooperation between the United Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is “imperative.”

Addressing the Security Council on its first-ever consideration of cooperation between the UN and the GCC, Khiari said, “This Council demanded the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. These attacks, condemned by this Council, must stop now. Escalating hostilities are posing an acute and rapidly growing threat to international peace and security.”

He also said, “Disruptions to maritime routes in the Gulf and surrounding waters are also having global economic repercussions. They heighten the risk of broader confrontation. All parties must respect freedom of navigation, which is a cornerstone of international maritime law. The United Nations system is fully mobilized to mitigate the consequences of this spiraling conflict. However, the most effective way to do so is clear: the fighting must stop now.”

He concluded, “The ongoing escalation and its consequences underline the urgent need for coordinated multilateral action. In this regard, strengthened cooperation between the United Nations and the GCC is imperative.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sRDm0OTRxI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

A solemn ceremony took place today at the Beirut International Airport to pay tribute to three fallen peacekeepers from UNIFIL. They are Captain Zulmi Aditya Skandar, First Sergeant Mohammad Nur Ichwan, and Private First Class Farizal Rhomadhon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWoXVk52P-g

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

Middle East
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
Lebanon/Humanitarian
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Democratic Republic of the Congo
South Sudan
UN-GCC/Security Council
Stephen Lewis
Guinea-Bissau
International Days
Financial Contribution

MIDDLE EAST

Earlier this morning the Secretary-General spoke to you at the onset of the second month of the Middle East crisis, and he warned that we are on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the whole Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe. He said that when the Strait of Hormuz is strangled, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable cannot breathe.

The spiral of death and destruction must stop, Mr. Guterres said, and diplomatic efforts deserve the space and support to succeed — anchored firmly in international law, including the Charter of these United Nations.

He said that he remains in close contact with the parties and is dispatching his Personal Envoy, Jean Arnault, to the region to support these efforts.

Once again, he told the United States and Israel that it is high time to stop the war and told Iran to stop attacking their neighbours.

Also, Jean Arnault, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on the Middle East conflict and its consequences, is finalizing arrangements to travel to the region. He will visit countries affected by the conflict and meet with authorities there. He also plans to meet the facilitators of the diplomatic track to discuss ways and means for the UN to contribute to efforts to bring about a comprehensive and durable settlement to this conflict.

UN INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON

Earlier today, in Lebanon, in Beirut, there was a solemn ceremony that took place at the Beirut International Airport to pay tribute to our three fallen peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). They are Corporal Farizal Rhomadon, Major Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and First Sergeant Muhammad Nur Ichwan. All are from the Indonesian Armed Forces, and they lost their lives in two incidents. One on March 29th and another on March 30th. And they lost their lives while bravely implementing their mandate and peacekeeping duties as part of UNIFIL. The three peacekeepers were posthumously awarded the UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces medals in recognition of their dedicated service to UNIFIL’s mission in south Lebanon.

Meanwhile the picture on the ground remains concerning and bleak. UNIFIL reports continuing rocket fire towards Israel, and airstrikes and artillery shelling impacting several locations in southern Lebanon coming from Israel. The Israel Defense Forces have expanded their incursion into the area towards the west, with a tank and clashes seen in areas in Sector West, located about 12 kilometers north of the Blue Line.

The hostilities continue to endanger the peacekeepers. This morning one peacekeeper was wounded in the shoulder by a bullet at a UN position near Meiss Jebel in Sector East. UNIFIL immediately issued a stop-fire request. The peacekeeper received treatment in the positions on medical facility. The falling bullet likely originated from clashes between Hizbullah and the Israel Defense Forces in that area.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the peacekeepers demanded that the Israel Defense Forces remove an Israeli flag they have erected near a UN position in Kafer Kela that is in Sector East. The flag undermines the perception of UNIFIL’s impartiality and risks drawing fire toward peacekeepers amid the ongoing clashes that we are seeing. The UN reminds all actors again of all their obligation to avoid any action that could put the lives of peacekeepers at further risk.

Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTjpdcTptcA

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Families in #gaza struggle to protect their children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) amid war, displacement and the collapse of rehabilitation services. They say the challenge goes beyond addressing ASD to securing the bare minimum of safety and stability for their children.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Jrkgyt5ruVA

Source: United Nations (video statements)

The region needs a success story — #syria could be it, according to the administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) who briefed journalists from Damascus. Addressing to UN correspondents, De Croo and UN Humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher spoke about the situation in Syria and the launch of the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the country this year.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ufLeUolNntY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Informal comments to the media by António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, on the continuation of the US-Israel-Iran conflict and its impact on the Middle East.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI3TdvhVhzY

Source: United Nations (video statements)

2 April 2026

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VjKcqxsbdjA