During the night and day on Thursday, new deadly strikes were reported across the Middle East, driving the price of crude oil up to $107 at the beginning of trading. Hopes of a quick end to the conflict diminished as U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned on Wednesday night “two to three more weeks” of attacks, alongside “ongoing” discussions with Tehran. “Every day of war worsens human suffering,” stated the UN chief at a press briefing on Thursday morning in New York, denouncing the escalation of indiscriminate attacks, the targeting of civilians, and the destruction of essential infrastructure. According to him, the region is “on the brink of a wider war” with global consequences.
The economic repercussions are felt well beyond the Middle East. Disruption in maritime navigation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, is causing an increase in energy prices and food items, particularly impacting the most vulnerable populations from the Philippines to Sri Lanka and Mozambique.
Efforts are being made to open a path to peace through diplomatic means, with the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Jean Arnault, being sent to the region. These initiatives must be based on respect for international law and the UN Charter.
“The conflicts do not stop on their own,” concluded Mr. Guterres. “They end when leaders choose dialogue over destruction. This choice must be made now.”
Risk of a surge in world hunger
Echoing the Secretary-General’s remarks, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday that the initial impacts of the crisis in the Middle East are reminiscent of those seen at the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, when supply disruptions led to a sharp increase in food prices.
If the crisis persists, it is estimated that an additional 45 million people could face acute food insecurity this year. The WFP anticipates a resurgence of acute hunger linked to the conflict, based on modeling that analyzes the impact of the global surge in energy prices on national food costs.
Tribute ceremony to fallen UN peacekeepers in Lebanon
In Beirut, the Lebanese capital, a solemn ceremony took place on Thursday at the international airport to pay tribute to three UN peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) killed in the context of hostilities between pro-Iranian Hezbollah and Israel.
The three Indonesian peacekeepers killed were Corporal Farizal Rhomadon, Major Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, and Sergeant Chief Muhammad Nur Ichwan. They lost their lives in two separate incidents on March 29 and March 30.
“They perished while courageously carrying out their mandate and peacekeeping duties within UNIFIL,” said the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, at a press briefing in New York.
The three peacekeepers were posthumously awarded medals from UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in recognition of their dedication in serving UNIFIL’s mission in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains concerning, said the spokesperson. UNIFIL reports continuous rocket fire towards Israel, as well as airstrikes and artillery fire from Israel hitting several locations in southern Lebanon.
The hostilities continue to endanger the peacekeepers. On Thursday morning, a peacekeeper was injured in the shoulder by a bullet while at a UN post near Meiss Jebel. UNIFIL immediately issued a ceasefire request. The peacekeeper received care at the post’s medical facility. The bullet, landing on the site, likely came from clashes between Hezbollah and the Israeli army in that area.
