Guterres: Lebanon ceasefire deal ‘first ray of hope for peace’
“It is a moment of great importance, especially for the civilians who were paying an enormous price for the fact that this conflict is not only dragging on, but is also gaining increasingly worrying dimensions,” he said. The Secretary-General was…
Lebanon ceasefire deal: displaced communities start to return home
“Immediately after the ceasefire came into force at 4am, residents of south Lebanon, the southern suburbs of Beirut and the Bekaa (valley) began their return after months of forced displacement,” said the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. “Heavy traffic [was] observed…
UN welcomes ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that the agreement “can put an end to the violence, destruction and suffering the people of both countries have been experiencing.” “The Secretary-General urges the parties to fully…
Middle East crisis: Live updates for 26 November
With all eyes on a possible ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, UN humanitarians have condemned the ongoing violence in Lebanon, Gaza, and Israel. Meanwhile, at UN Headquarters in New York, a special meeting was held to…
Lebanon: UN rights chief adds voice to immediate ceasefire call
The development follows dire assessments from UN aid teams about the cost of “relentless” Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs since the weekend, resulting in extensive damage and significant casualties, and forcing more people to flee their homes. “The High…
No end in sight to ‘horror’ in Gaza, UN official tells Security Council
Briefing Ambassadors on the Security Council, Muhannad Hadi, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, outlined the impact of the conflict, which is now in its second year. “As winter approaches, the horror in Gaza continues to grind…
Lebanon: UNIFIL concerned by attacks on Lebanese Armed Forces
The UN Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) is also seriously concerned by numerous strikes on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) despite their declared non-involvement in the hostilities, he added. The LAF have reported that at least 45 soldiers have been killed…
Gaza update: Fleeing families just have ‘the clothes on their back’
Speaking from an UNRWA school in Gaza City, which is in the north of the Strip, Ms. Wateridge said that, for almost 50 days, UN humanitarian missions have attempted to deliver supplies to northern Gaza, including besieged areas such as…
ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel, Hamas leadership: what happens next?
Why have the warrants been issued? The ICC can only investigate and prosecute if the national judicial system of the countries concerned are not, in the eyes of the Court, conducting genuine investigations or prosecutions for the same alleged crimes….
Lebanon crisis: Intensifying violence is deadliest in decades, warn aid agencies
Highlighting the deepening humanitarian catastrophe for civilians on Lebanon’s Independence Day, the UN refugee agency, UNCHR, warned of a prevailing sense of uncertainty and fear as the war grinds on. “In recent weeks, Israel dramatically intensified its airstrikes and ground…