Turkey blocks access to Instagram, gives no reason
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s communications authority blocked access to the social media platform Instagram on Friday, the latest instance of a clampdown on websites in the country. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which regulates the internet, announced the block…
Humanitarian efforts ‘nowhere near where they should be’ 300 days into Gaza war
Andrea De Domenico was speaking from Jerusalem in his final briefing to journalists at UN Headquarters in New York as the Israeli authorities have not renewed his visa. Reflecting on his time in the region, Mr. De Domenico recalled that…
In call to Iranian Foreign Minister, Guterres underlines need for de-escalation in the Middle East
Mr. Guterres spoke that morning with the country’s acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri. Concern for the region “During the conversation, the Secretary-General expressed his deep concern regarding the ongoing situation in the region,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during his…
Gaza: UNRWA programme aims to get children ‘back to learning’
“This first step in a much longer road focuses on activities that will give children a refuge from the horrors they continue to live through,” Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. He…
Security Council debates ‘serious and dangerous escalation’ in the Middle East
“The international community must work together to prevent any actions that could make the conflict much bigger and wider very quickly,” Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for political affairs said, warning of skyrocketing tensions in the wake of the killing of…
Middle East: Beirut and Tehran attacks ‘represent a dangerous escalation’, Guterres warns
“The Secretary-General believes that the attacks we have seen in South Beirut and Tehran represent a dangerous escalation at a moment in which all efforts should instead be leading to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all Israeli hostages,…
UN appeals for ‘maximum restraint’ following Israeli strikes in Beirut
“As we await further clarity on the circumstances, we again urge the parties to exercise maximum restraint and call on all concerned to avoid any further escalation,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a note to correspondents that evening. He called…
Israeli military in spotlight over ‘incommunicado’ detention of Palestinians
“The staggering number of men, women, children, doctors, journalists and human rights defenders detained since 7 October, most of them without charge or trial and held in deplorable conditions, along with reports of ill-treatment and torture and violation of due…
Rafah water facility demolition raises health risks in Gaza, UN says
GENEVA — U.N. agencies warn that the demolition of a critical water facility in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip increases the risk of infectious diseases as people are forced to drink unsafe water while sanitary conditions continue to deteriorate….
Independent rights experts urge States to comply with ICJ ruling on Israel
The UN’s highest court issued an advisory opinion on 19 July which said that Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, “is unlawful”. It was responding to a request by the UN General Assembly…