MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: Security Council meets on Syria, plus Gaza and Lebanon updates
January 8, 2025
United Nations, New York – The United Nations Security Council met today to discuss the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon.
Syria
The Council heard a briefing from UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, who said that the situation in the country remains “deeply concerning.” He said that the ceasefire that was agreed to last month is still holding, but that there have been reports of sporadic violations. He also said that the humanitarian situation in Syria is “dire,” with millions of people still in need of food, water, and shelter.
The Council members expressed their concern about the situation in Syria and called on all parties to the conflict to abide by the ceasefire and to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. They also reiterated their support for the political process led by de Mistura.
Gaza
The Council also heard a briefing from UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov, who said that the situation in Gaza is “calm but fragile.” He said that the ceasefire that was agreed to last month is still holding, but that there have been some reports of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. He also said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains “difficult,” with high levels of unemployment and poverty.
The Council members expressed their concern about the situation in Gaza and called on both Israel and the Palestinians to abide by the ceasefire and to work towards a lasting peace settlement. They also reiterated their support for the work of UNRWA, the UN agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees.
Lebanon
The Council also heard a briefing from UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag, who said that the situation in Lebanon is “stable but tense.” She said that the country is still facing a number of challenges, including the presence of Hezbollah, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the ongoing political deadlock. She also said that the Lebanese government is facing a number of economic challenges, including high levels of debt and unemployment.
The Council members expressed their concern about the situation in Lebanon and called on all parties to work together to address the challenges facing the country. They also reiterated their support for the work of UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
The Security Council meeting on the Middle East crisis was held in closed session. No formal statement was issued after the meeting, but the Council members are expected to continue to discuss the situation in the region in the coming weeks.
MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: Security Council meets on Syria, plus Gaza and Lebanon updates
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