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Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Colonialism
– Syria/Security Council
– Sudan
– Haiti
– Venezuela
– Aviation
– International Days
– Guest Today

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that UN agencies and more than 200 international and local non-governmental organizations issued a statement yesterday urging the international community to take immediate and concrete actions to press the Israeli authorities to lift all impediments to NGO operations and humanitarian access across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in the Gaza Strip.

They warned that restrictive policies – including a new registration system for international NGOs that relies on vague and politicized criteria – are undermining relief efforts and risk the collapse of the humanitarian response.

They also stress that many essential supplies such as food, medicine, hygiene items and shelter materials remain stuck outside Gaza – and that dozens of international NGOs face deregistration and forced closure by year’s end. The loss of NGO capacity would severely disrupt life-saving services including healthcare, nutrition treatment, water and sanitation, and emergency shelter at a time when needs are acute and alternatives cannot fill the gap.

The UN and our partners continue our efforts to scale up assistance across the Gaza Strip despite these challenges, with a focus on providing winter support to mitigate the impact of harsh weather conditions.

Our partners say that since the ceasefire came into effect in mid-October and as of Tuesday, they have distributed multi-purpose cash assistance to nearly 139,000 households, compared with over 40,000 in September.

Each household received digital payments equivalent to about 378 US dollars. Altogether, more than 305,000 households in the Gaza Strip have received at least one payment this year.

Our partners providing education services report that on Tuesday, they distributed hygiene materials to more than 90 temporary learning spaces across the Strip, benefiting nearly 115,000 school-age children. These supplies are particularly critical during the winter rainy season, as they improve sanitation conditions and reduce health risks in overcrowded spaces.

Also on Tuesday, three new temporary learning spaces were established in northern Gaza – two in Gaza City and one in North Gaza governorate – bringing the total number of operational learning spaces across the Strip to more than 400. Several multi-purpose tents were also installed to foster safer learning environments for enrolled students, many of whom are receiving education for the first time.

Finally, our health partners report that constraints affecting the entry into Gaza of emergency medical teams have eased somewhat in recent weeks. Denial rates have fallen to about 20 per cent, compared with 30 to 35 per cent before the ceasefire. There are currently more than 340 emergency medical team staff in Gaza.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va5uzYN3nUI

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all parties in Yemen to “exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue.” He also “strongly” condemned the continued arbitrary detention of UN staff and partner personnel.

Guterres spoke to reporters after a closed consultation on the situation in Yemen.

Guterres pointed out that earlier this month, forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council – or STC – advanced on Hadramawt and al-Mahra, adding that he told the Security Council, unilateral actions will not clear a path to peace. A full resumption of hostilities could have serious ramifications on regional peace and security – including on the Red Sea, in the Gulf of Aden, and in the Horn of Africa, he said.

The UN chief urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, and resolve differences through dialogue. “This includes regional stakeholders, whose constructive engagement and coordination in support of UN mediation efforts are essential for ensuring collective security interests,” he said.

Guterres continued, “The sovereignty and territorial integrity in Yemen must be reserved. Yemen needs a sustainable, negotiated political settlement where it embraces the aspirations of all Yemenis; And brings this devastating conflict to an end.”

The Secretary-General also strongly condemned the continued arbitrary detention of 59 UN colleagues and partner personnel – as well as staff from NGOs, civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions.

He called for their “immediate and unconditional release, in accordance with international law.”

Guterres also noted that in recent days, Houthi de facto authorities referred three of UN colleagues to a special criminal court.

The UN chief stressed, “This referral must be rescinded. They have been charged in relating to their performance of United Nations official duties.”

He reiterated, “These charges must be dropped.’

“The continued detention of our colleagues is a profound injustice to all those who have dedicated their lives to helping the people of Yemen,” Guterres underscored, adding that the United Nations and its partners “must never be targeted, arrested, or detained in connection with their official duties.”

“We must be allowed to perform our work without interference,” the Secretary-General emphasized.

Guterres concluded by saying the path to peace is possible, and the United Nations remains committed to supporting the Yemeni people along this path.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5XvxA0BSUQ