Post-Assad Syria faces critical test over eliminating chemical weapons
Briefing ambassadors, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, welcomed steps taken by the country’s new authorities to engage with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and work toward full compliance with international law. “Syria has…
Occupied Palestinian Territory: Israeli operations continue to have dire consequences
The UN relief agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) reports that Israeli authorities have started demolishing more than 16 buildings in Nur Shams refugee camp, after destroying more than two dozen homes over the past week in the occupied West Bank….
Syria: Up to one million people plan to return home in desperation
According to UN refugee agency, UNHCR, 600,000 people could be on the move in the next six months, according to its latest survey. UNHCR spokesperson Celine Schmitt said on Friday that people will need “housing, jobs, schools, hospitals, electricity and…
Yemen: ‘Fear of a return to full conflict is palpable’, says UN envoy
The “current trajectory is deeply concerning,” he told ambassadors, updating them on the latest political developments in the country, where Houthi rebels – formally known as Ansar Allah – have been battling Government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition, for…
Gaza: Israeli aid cut threatens care for most vulnerable, warns UNICEF
The agency said that despite the huge influx of humanitarian goods into Gaza during phase one of the ceasefire which began on 19 January, it has not been enough to make up for the 15 months of war when supply…
Gaza’s recovery must be built on more than steel and concrete: Guterres
Speaking at the emergency summit of Arab nations on the situation in the Middle East and Gaza reconstruction in Cairo, António Guterres welcomed Arab-led efforts to mobilize support for Gaza’s recovery. He stressed that rebuilding the war-ravaged territory must be…
UN envoy strongly condemns continuing Israeli attacks inside Syria
Geir Pedersen said in a statement that “such actions are unacceptable and risk further destabilising an already fragile situation, heightening regional tension and undermining efforts toward de-escalation and a sustainable political transition.” The condemnation follows a recent wave of airstrikes…
Gaza: Deep concern for civilians as aid crossings remain shut
Speaking to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York, Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the Kerem Shalom, Zikim and Erez crossings had remained closed for cargo for the third consecutive day, severely restricting the flow of humanitarian supplies into the…
Food prices soar as Israel blocks aid into Gaza
That’s according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, which said on Monday that the Kerem Shalom, Erez and Zikim crossing closures means that vital humanitarian assistance, including thousands of tents, can’t be delivered to civilians in need. Phase one…
Ukraine, Gaza expected to feature in Trump’s address to Congress
The need to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The United States imposing tariffs on other countries, and the downsizing of the U.S. federal government. Those are some of the topics that President Donald Trump is expected…