Noon Briefings

The Secretary-General briefed the Security Council this morning on the situation in Israel and Gaza, warning of the risk of an all-out escalation, with the threat of a ground offensive still palpable — and preventable only if Hamas stops firing rockets.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has released a report, noting that the number of civilian casualties in that country had increased by 24 per cent during the first half of 2014 compared to the same period last year. The greatest impact of ground combat has been on children and women. The Mission calls for more efforts to protect civilians from the devastating impact of conflict.

The Secretary-General condemns the recent multiple rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza. These indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas must stop. He reiterates his call on all actors to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further civilian casualties and overall destabilization.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia condemned the recent attack on the Somali Parliament and the many killings claimed by Al-Shabaab since the start of Ramadan. He called on all Somalis to unite, and work with the authorities to prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The UN Mission in South Sudan says that, given the security situation and the projected deterioration of the food security situation, the number of displaced persons in Mission bases is expected to remain high over the coming months. The Mission today said that work continues on improving existing Protection of Civilians sites and building new sites.

The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process condemned the reported murder of a Palestinian boy in Jerusalem. He said that the perpetrators of such acts must be brought to justice, and called on all sides to do all they can not to worsen an already tense atmosphere.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Iraq expressed his regret that the newly elected Council of Representatives was unable to reach an agreement on naming a Speaker today. He called on all political leaders to set aside their differences and elect a Speaker during the next session next week.

In a statement we issued yesterday, the Secretary-General expressed his grave concern at the deepening crisis and the rising number of civilian casualties in Iraq. He called on all parties to stop the persecution of civilians based on religion or ethnic background, and reminded them of their legal obligation and moral responsibility to prevent any violence against civilians.

The UN Refugee Agency says at least 45 people have been killed this week in the Central African Republic and scores wounded in new violence and reprisal attacks in and around Bambari. The violence displaced thousands, with tensions hampering humanitarian access, amid threats and theft of stock and equipment.

The Secretary-General, at the African Union Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, today, said the United Nations will remain by the Union’s side as it develops and implements its agenda on peace, human rights, and sustainable development. Africa’s transformation will be a revolution in agricultural productivity.