Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Iran/Middle East
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Afghanistan/Pakistan
Iraq – Yanar Mohammed
UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
Peacebuilding Fund
Financial Contribution
IRAN/MIDDLE EAST
The UN continues to follow developments in the Middle East very closely. In answer to questions about the Secretary-General’s contacts, the Spokesman said that yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General accepted a request to meet with the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani. During the meeting, the Secretary-General reiterated his position as stated during Saturday’s Security Council session. He expressed his hope for a swift end to the conflict and return to dialogue in the interest of regional stability.
The Secretary-General also met yesterday with Omar Said Omar Al Kathiri, the Permanent Representative of Oman to the United Nations. During the meeting they discussed the situation in the region and the urgent need to end the current military activities and escalation, and return to dialogue, also, of course, in the interest of regional stability.
The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Oman’s important role in the negotiations and the Sultanate commitment to diplomacy.
In a short while, he will be meeting with Abdulaziz Alwasil, the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia.
These diplomatic engagements come amid continued regional tensions.
The Secretary-General continues to be very concerned about the situation in Lebanon where the Lebanese people are once again in the crosshairs of a conflict. He’s particularly concerned about the impact of the hostilities on the civilian population. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today said that more than 50 people have been killed and hundreds more have been injured in the past two days, according to local authorities.
Overnight and throughout today, widespread Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon, Baalbek, Chouf and the southern suburbs of Beirut, causing further casualties and significant destruction. Yesterday, three paramedics were killed and six injured while responding to an airstrike.
In southern Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports continued exchanges of fire across the Blue Line, including Hizbullah’s rocket fire towards Israel and the Israel Defense Forces’ airstrikes and extensive fire north of the Blue Line. Peacekeepers have observed Israel Defense Forces vehicles moving north of the Blue Line at several locations reaching up to 1 kilometre beyond the Blue Line and firing towards the surroundings. The UN also notes with serious concern the IDF statement calling for evacuation of residents of South Lebanon to north of the Litani River.
Forced displacement orders continue to be issued, including one today covering the entire area south of the Litani River – approximately 850 square kilometres and home to hundreds of thousands of people.
Civilians are continuing to flee in Lebanon, often with little more than the clothes they are wearing and what they can carry. Since the onset of hostilities, at least 80,000 people have sought refuge in collective shelters in Lebanon, according to local authorities. However, the UN believes this represents only a fraction of all people who have been displaced.
UN partners are working closely with national and local authorities. Rapid response teams are assessing needs and distributing emergency supplies in affected areas and collective shelters. So far, UN partners working in food security have reached more than 20,000 displaced people with hot meals and over 15,000 with ready-to-eat food across Lebanon.
UN health partners, working with the Ministry of Public Health, are providing medicine and scaling up mobile primary health care services in shelters and other locations. Water and sanitation partners are supporting the continued operation of critical water and wastewater facilities, including by providing fuel to operate those stations.
Even prior to this escalation, the humanitarian community was aiming to reach 1.5 million vulnerable people with humanitarian aid through the $1.6 billion 2026 appeal. UN partners are now responding with fewer financial and human resources than in previous years. That of course limits the scale and speed of assistance at a time when needs are rising sharply. Urgent additional funding and capacity are required to sustain and expand life‑saving operations.
All UNIFIL positions remain manned and remain in place along the Blue Line. The Mission’s operational activities prioritize monitoring and logistical movements, including resupply. UNIFIL continues to assess the situation to ensure the safety and security of the personnel.
Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-03-04