The United Nations has called for maximum restraint amid rising tensions in the Gulf, following reports of an unmanned aerial vehicle and missile attack on Kuwait’s international airport that reportedly killed at least one person and injured several others. Flights were suspended and rerouted due to the attacks.
Attacks Condemned
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated, “The Secretary-General calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid any escalation that could risk undermining diplomatic efforts. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be fully respected.”
The spokesperson emphasized the need for full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.
The Secretary-General condemned all attacks on civilian infrastructure, reiterating that international humanitarian law prohibits targeting civilians.
Mr. Guterres urged all parties to protect civilians and called for constructive engagement in diplomacy, supporting mediation efforts led by Pakistan.
Fear and Uncertainty Grip War-Affected Communities in Lebanon
Communities in Lebanon continue to live in fear due to ongoing clashes between Hezbollah fighters and the Israeli army in southern Lebanon.
In an update from Beirut, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that “utter uncertainty” prevails.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric noted, “In Beirut alone, approximately 200,000 people have been displaced from the southern suburbs following an evacuation order given by the Israel Defense Forces on June 1st.”
Images emerged on Monday showing long queues of vehicles as thousands sought to leave the southern suburbs of the capital following Israeli warnings of attacks on Hezbollah strongholds.
Afraid to Stay
While people are reportedly afraid to remain in southern Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold, the crisis remains unresolved.
Beyond the direct impact of bombings and airstrikes, UNICEF indicated that approximately 770,000 children in Lebanon are experiencing intense distress stemming from repeated violence, loss, and displacement.
UNICEF warned: “Children and caregivers are reporting symptoms of traumatic stress and grief, including extreme fear and anxiety, nightmares, sleeplessness, and feelings of hopelessness.”
Without adequate mental health and psychosocial support in safe environments, affected children face the risk of developing chronic or lifelong mental health issues.
24 Million People in the Sahel Need Urgent Aid
More than 24 million people across countries in Africa’s Sahel region are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
The UN’s humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, stated that this staggering figure includes “mothers unable to feed their children and children who have not seen the inside of a school for years.”
Violence in the Central Sahel is a key driver of the crisis, with insecurity spreading far beyond traditional conflict zones in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, reaching as far as the West African coast.
OCHA warns that armed groups are expanding their reach in the heart of the vast and diverse region and in the Lake Chad Basin, “displacing communities, shutting down schools and health centers, and leaving entire areas devoid of any form of state or protection.”
Urgent Funding Appeal
The latest UN data shows that approximately 12,900 schools have been closed due to insecurity, leaving over 2.3 million children deprived of education and exposing them to exploitation and recruitment by armed gangs.
Funding for the Sahel is at a decade-low. Last year, aid organizations received only 29% of the funds they required, leading to the suspension of services.
