Published on: 2026-07-16
Source: United Nations – Объединенные Нации –
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July 15, 2026 Peace and Security
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned about the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East. This was stated at a press briefing on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the UN chief, Stéphane Dujarric.
“The Secretary-General urges all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy,” said Dujarric.
The Secretary-General once again warned that the resumption of full-scale military actions will bring unbearable suffering to the civilian population and “will turn into a catastrophe for the global economy and international security.”
In addition, Guterres reiterated the call for the full restoration of international freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the adjacent waters.
The situation in Gaza and the West Bank
Dujarric also stated that staff of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) received reports that an armed group infiltrated the solid waste processing complex in Deir al-Balah province, Gaza Strip. According to available data, the incident occurred earlier this week. A security guard working at the site was detained and questioned for about 30 minutes, after which he was released.
“We reiterate that humanitarian personnel, premises, and property must be treated with respect and protected under all circumstances, and safe conditions must be established for the continuation of humanitarian operations,” the UN spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, today the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Susanna Tkalec, together with representatives of partner organizations, visited the former UN school in Bureij, located just about 45 meters from the so-called “yellow line” that separates the area under Israeli control. Access restrictions hinder the delivery of aid to internally displaced persons who have settled on the grounds of this school. Across Gaza, humanitarian organizations continue to assist displaced families.
The UN also reports that access to education is continuing to deteriorate in the West Bank: for over a year, six schools of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Jenin and Nur Shams camps have been inaccessible, another six UNRWA schools have been closed in East Jerusalem, and ten schools in the “Zone C” have been emptied after Palestinians were forced to leave these areas due to settler attacks.
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