UN Peacekeepers Day, UNIFIL & other topics - Daily Press Briefing (5 June 2026) | United Nations

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
- UN Peacekeepers Day
- UNIFIL
- Lebanon
-Occupied Palestinian Territory
- Middle East
- Cyprus
- Libya
- Democratic Republic Of The Congo
- UNOPS
- Food Price Index
- World Environment Day
- The Fight Against Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated Fishing
- International Days/Weekend
- Programming Note/Monday

UN PEACEKEEPERS DAY

To mark UN Peacekeepers Day, the Secretary-General laid a wreath to commemorate the nearly 4,500 people who have lost their lives since we began our peacekeeping work almost 80 years ago.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said that as events of this very week remind us, peacekeepers continue to face peril in the cause of peace – and we pay the highest tribute to their service and sacrifice.

UN Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the international community’s most effective responses to conflict. Across the globe, Mr. Guterres said, the UN Blue Helmet is a symbol of hope for communities in their darkest hour.

He said he is inspired by the women and men who wear the Blue Helmet, as they are protectors of the vulnerable, and guardians of hope in places where hope is often in short supply.

UNIFIL

Just to give you a quick update on the status of the two peacekeepers who were injured on Wednesday, I can tell you that they continue to receive treatment at a UNIFIL medical facility in south Lebanon. We wish them a swift and full recovery.

UNIFIL continues to observe intensive Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activity across UNIFIL’s area of operations, including sustained airstrikes and helicopter fire in both sectors, East and West. Yesterday, UNIFIL peacekeepers reported a total of 773 firing incidents originating from IDF positions south of the Blue Line within the area of operations. In addition, 15 trajectories of projectiles were detected from north to south, including one crossing the Blue Line, while ground forces observed 29 projectile interceptions by Israel over the area.

Peacekeepers also observed IDF personnel and vehicles establishing two roadblocks near a UNIFIL position in Sector West. UNIFIL’s freedom of movement is essential for the implementation of its mandate and must be fully respected.

Also yesterday, UNIFIL observed two armed drones flying over or near a UNIFIL position north of Bayyadah. One of the drones dropped a grenade in the vicinity before turning back. Incidents of this nature are of concern, and we reiterate that all parties must avoid actions that could endanger UN personnel and assets.

In coordination with OCHA, the mission facilitated three humanitarian missions to Tyre in Sector West yesterday.

LEBANON

Earlier today, our Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, Mr. Imran Riza, launched with the Lebanese government the revised Flash Appeal calling for an additional $331.5 million to cover the period from June to August. This brings the overall ask for the Flash Appeal, running from March through August, to nearly $640 million, and this is to sustain life-saving efforts for 1.4 million people.

You will recall that the Secretary-General announced the initial appeal three months ago in the immediate aftermath of the escalation. Donors have up till now provided $186 million to bolster the humanitarian response, and we and our partners have reached some 680,000 people. However, humanitarian needs are rising, and essential services, including health care and water systems, continue to be severely impacted.

Reminding that some 1 million people remain displaced because of the conflict, Mr. Riza called for sustained international support to enable the delivery of a broad range of life‑saving assistance, protect civilians, and help restore critical services in affected areas.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-05

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