“It is essential to immediately reach a ceasefire in Gaza”, ” The secretary general told journalists on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad9)“” And the unconditional release of all hostages and to avoid the massive death and destruction that a military operation against Gaza City would inevitably cause.“”

About a million people still live in the city – the largest in Gaza – in the north of the enclave torn by the war. The Israeli army would have described it as a bastion of Hamas, the terrorist group whose murderous attacks in Israel and the hostage taking the war on October 7, 2023.

The UN chief also condemned the Israeli government’s decision to approve a project of expansion of colonization for a long time in the occupied West Bank.

“” The decision of the Israeli authorities to extend the construction of illegal regulations, which would divide the West Bank, must be reversed. Any construction of settlement is a violation of international law“, He insisted.

The rules would have permission of more than 3,000 houses, schools and a clinic, cutting East Jerusalem from the occupied West Bank, which Israel captured during the 1967 war of 1967 after defeating Egypt, Jordan and Syria.

Urban destruction

Meanwhile, in Gaza City, entire urban areas are “completely destroyed”, the UN understands, with new destruction in progress in the South and the Southeast, while military maneuvers continue.

Recent attacks have been particularly devastating in the city Az Zaytoun district, the United Nations Human Rights Office (Ohchr)) reported Wednesday.

Highlighting more than 50 attacks against residential buildings and whole blocks in Gaza City since August 8, Ohchr warned that its “Systematic destruction” had started.

Acute malnutrition

Meanwhile, the United Nations aid teams highlighted the catastrophic impact of accelerating the Israeli military operation, with Shapeless malnutrition in children from Gaza City at 28.5%Or more than one in four young people.

“Children continue to die from artificial famine”, ” UNRWA said in a statement, noting that it has projected more than 95,000 children aged six months to five years for malnutrition through the Gaza Strip since March 2025, after the ceasefire collapse.

While the ceasefire has always stood in early March And the emergency supplies have been allowed to enter Gaza in much larger quantities than today,, Malnutrition rates were six times lower than Gaza CityAt 4.5%, according to the United Nations Agency for Palestinians, UNRWA.

Through Gaza, acute malnutrition increased to almost 16% in mid-August, more than three times higher than the level of 5.2% recorded by the United Nations Agency in March, he said.

Vital services in danger

Today, the services provided by UNRWA in Gaza City are “at serious risks”, warned the agency, pointing tens of thousands of people who still live in its shelters and “many others” who remain in the surrounding regions.

There is a particular concern for the compound of the UNRWA field office – its largest logistics center in northern Gaza – because the operations of the United Nations Agency in the South have been “paralyzed” by travel and bombing orders.

To indicate the key role of UNRWA in the assistance and rescue provisions in Gaza, he noted that last month, he provided more than 100,000 medical consultations and projected 3,500 children for malnutrition to Gaza City.

UNRWA has also delivered drinking water to 220,000 people, domestic water at 250,000 and has eliminated hundreds of tonnes of waste.

Specialists in education and protection against the United Nations agency have reached thousands of others in temporary learning spaces or by offering advice, recreational activities and risk awareness training on the dangers of unplodified deadly weapons.

“While our colleagues, like the rest of the UN, are determined to stay and deliver, all these services are now in danger while military operations are intensifying,” said UNRWA.

The recent attacks have been particularly devastating in the Az Zaytoun district, where air strikes, artillery bombings and shots are continuous and intense, causing a large number of civilian victims and large -scale destruction of residential buildings and public facilities, the United Nations Human Rights Office, Ohchrin the occupied Palestinian territory, said in a declaration.

Since August 8, the office has recorded 54 attacks against residential buildings and whole blocks in Gaza City, killing 87 Palestinians, including at least 25 children and whole families.

He also recorded attacks on shelters for internal displaced people, including tents and schools, killing at least 14.

These injury figures “indicate that The systematic destruction of Gaza City is already underway“, According to the press release.

However, the OHCHR stressed that these devastating figures are only part of the real balance sheet due to the sub-declaration in such disastrous circumstances.

Impact of attacks

Following recent attacks, hundreds of families were forced to flee, nowhere in complete safety in the midst of disastrous humanitarian conditions through the Gaza Strip.

However, those who remain trapped are completely cut off from food, water and medical supplies.

Ohchr stressed that “The decision reported by Israel to take full control of the city of Gaza and forcibly move its population leads to massacres of civilians and the destruction of vital infrastructure to the survival of the population. “”

The office sees the means of the War repeated Israeli military who caused mass killings, serious injuries, forced displacement, arbitrary detention, famine and in -depth destruction in previous operations in North Gaza and Rafah.

To prepare for the offensive, the Israeli army has repeatedly called upon the Palestinians to move to Al Mawasi, west of Khan Younis.

However, Israel has repeatedly struck tents in Al Mawasi, where people find it difficult to survive without any access to food, water and other necessities.

Violations of international law

Under international law, Israel must not destroy civil property unless it is made necessary by military operations. However, the general destruction of residential buildings in the city of Gaza is not considered an imperative military necessity.

In addition, by forcing the entire population of Gaza City and those who remain in North Gaza to move – homeless, food or medical arrangements and no indication to allow them to return home in the future – the OHCHC fears that these are not serious offenses to offenses to serious offenses Fourth Geneva Convention.

Thus, the office urges the states who left in the United States to the Geneva conventions to follow their obligation “to exert maximum pressure on Israel to immediately stop this offensive, which risks triggering an unprecedented and potentially deadly and unprecedented humanitarian crisis and life in matters of life and unprecedented and deadly constantly extinguish the Palestinian presence in the largest urban area in Gaza. “”

Famine worse cases

Meanwhile, the World Food Program (Wfp)) welcomed The contribution of Japan safeguarding 500 million yen ($ 3.3 million) to provide food and nutritional assistance to Palestinians because they face severe food insecurity.

Adding limited commercial truck entrances to the help, on August 4, mainly containing dry foods and a small amount of fresh products, according to at the United Nations Coordination Office, Ochha.

However, the risk of deterioration and infestation of food supplies has increased considerably due to its exchange for months, heat and imminent expiration dates.

In addition, the cooking gas has not entered Gaza for more than five months, and firewood has become more and more unaffordable, forcing a lot to use waste and scrape the wood as alternative sources of cooking, to exacerbate health and environmental risks.

Due to such limited help, WFP stressed that the last classification of the integrated food security phase report find that The worst case of famine is currently occurring in the Gaza Strip.

“I meet families who have lost everything and do not know where their next meal will come from.” said Antoine Renard, PAM representative and director of countries in Palestine.

But thanks to this support from Japan, he continued: “PAM can continue to obtain wild food aid, but we need a ceasefire and sustained access to reach the most risky and prevent a large-scale famine.”

While several Da’esh leaders have perished in recent years, “The group has managed to keep its operational capacity», Vladimir Voronkov, Head of the United Nations Terrorism Bureau (UNOCT) said THE Security advice Wednesday.

Da’esh uses regional and national affiliates and continues to receive substantial global donations, operating through regional centers and cross -border financial networks.

The threat that the extremist group poses is notably exacerbated in the African region of the Sahel, where the affiliates of ISIL such as the province of West Islamic Africa have become prolific producers of terrorist propaganda, which continues to attract foreign recruits.

Despite important national and international efforts to counter DA’ESH – which increased in 2014 after taking care of large expanses from Iraq and Syria – the continuous threat posed, underlines the urgency of sustained global cooperation.

Safety gaps

In Afghanistan, Isil-Khorasan continues to represent one of the most serious threats to Central Asia and beyond, the group continuing to target civilians, while exploiting dissatisfaction with the country’s de facto authorities.

Meanwhile, Da’esh remains active in Iraq and Iraq – despite the military defeats in Mosul and Raqqa in 2017 – trying to restore its operational capacity in the Badia region and renew the efforts to destabilize local authorities.

In Syria, where the situation remains fragile since the takeover led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, ISIL continues to exploit security gaps, carry out secret operations and encourage sectarian tensions in the country.

Detention camps

“” The situation of security, humanitarian and human rights in camps and other facilities in northeast Syria remains deeply concerning“Said Mr. Voronkov.

Camps like Al-Hol are currently welcoming tens of thousands of people, mainly women and children-many having presumed links with ISIL-who remain prolonged in dangerous and unworthy conditions.

These environments present serious risks of radicalization to terrorism and are contrary to obligations under international law, “he said.

Mr. Voronkov called “secure repatriation, voluntary and worthy of all those concerned, with a particular accent on children”.

New technology

“There is a marked increase in the entry of various methods and the integration of digital technologies with conventional techniques,” said Elisa de Anda Madrazo, president of Close Unpartner, the financial action working group, Embassadors.

The use of new and emerging technologies and artificial intelligence by Da’esh remains a growing challenge, in particular, because the group is increasingly using these tools to collect funds and establish a wider communications network.

“” While we hold at the crossroads of technological transformation and geopolitical uncertainty, the threat of terrorism is more diffuse and complexSaid Nathalia Gherman, Chief Executive Department of the Terrorism Committee (CTED).

Prevention still the best healing

“” Prevention remains our best answer To terrorism and the violent extremism of favorable terrorism, “said Voronkov.

He stressed the importance of prioritizing long -term and principle responses that attack the engines of terrorism and its hably conditions.

“It is more effective-and profitable-to prevent terrorism than to remedy its impact,” he said.

“With the youngest population in the world, abundant natural resources and a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, Africa is ready to do said The 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (Ticad) in Yokohama.

He said the theme of Reunion – Co-create innovative solutions with Africa -was a reminder that these same forces can help shape a more peaceful, prosperous and lasting world in Africa and beyond.

Progress and reform

In this regard, he underlined the need to accelerate progress to achieve Sustainable development objectives (ODD) by investment, reform and partnerships.

Mr. Guterres highlighted five areas of cooperation, starting with his long -standing push to reform global governance institutions so that they reflect the realities of today.

“” Africa must have a stronger voice to shape decisions that affect its future“He said.

“” Which includes a long -awaited reform of Security adviceWhere incredibly, Africa has no permanent member and other regions remain underrepresented. »»

He also called for the revision of international financial architecture, describing the current system as “unjust and unfair”, as well as daring actions on the relief of debt.

Value and renewable energy chains

The secretary general then highlighted investment in sustainable global value chains and regional integration.

“The path of prosperity of Africa must focus on adding value to its raw materials, the creation of decent jobs and the strengthening of resilience, the profit of the African continental free trade area,” he said.

He also underlined the need to fight against the “African energy paradox”, noting that although the continent has enormous potential to produce renewable energies, it receives only 2% of global investments in the sector. Meanwhile, some 600 million Africans do not have access to electricity.

“Africa also houses the critical minerals necessary to fuel renewable technologies,” he continued. ” But The countries welcoming them must be those that benefit from them first and most, while adding value to local and global value chains. “”

Invest in technology, youth and peace

By turning alongside technology, Mr. Guterres called to exploit digital innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI), for development.

He said that Japan’s technological leadership can help close the digital fracture, “and ensure that technology helps African countries catch up with adequate digital public infrastructure, rather than being left behind. »»

“Young people are the manufacturers of the future of Africa”, the fourth point of the Secretary General stressed the need to invest in their skills and their education, in particular in STEMs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

“” Invest in the full participation of women in economies, companies and political systems“, He added.

Mr. Guterres concluded by recognizing the link between peace and prosperity.

“Sustainable development requires sustainable peace,” he said.

“By silencing firearms as clearly points out the African Union. And by putting an end to violence in all its forms and by strengthening social cohesion and stability that can attract investments and businesses in Africa. ”

About Ticad

The Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) is co-organized by Japan and UN, the United Nations Development Program (Predict), the World Bank and the African Union Commission (AUC).

It has been taking place since 1993 in order to promote the development, peace and security of Africa, thanks to the strengthening of relations in multilateral cooperation and partnership.

“For more than three decades, the Ticad has embodied the spirit of multilateralism – based on mutual respect, shared responsibility and a deep belief in the potential of Africa,” said the secretary general.

The conference takes place from August 20 to 23.