Alarmed by this morning’s killing of Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which comes on the heels of several recent escalatory events in the Middle East, the UN top political affairs official called today for diplomatic efforts to change the region’s trajectory towards peace and stability.
In progress at UNHQ
Security Council
On 30 July 2024, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) removed the following entries from its Sanctions List of individuals and entities:
The Security Council today lifted the arms embargo on the Central African Republic, also deciding that, until 31 July 2025, all Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel of all types to armed groups and associated individuals operating in that country.
Decrying legislative and physical attacks against the United Nations agency providing the backbone for the humanitarian response in Gaza, two senior UN officials urged the Security Council today to act in the face of flagrant violation of international humanitarian law in the Strip, as Council members discussed ways to address the catastrophe unfolding there.
Supplying weapons to Ukraine is legitimate and in line with the Charter of the United Nations, as it will help that country defend itself against the Russian Federation’s aggression, the Security Council heard today, as members presented diverging perspectives on the West’s approach to achieving a just and lasting settlement to the war.
On 15 July, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti held a briefing to Member States during which the Panel of Experts briefed on its interim report dated 29 March (document S/2024/253).
Seven months of an escalatory trajectory in Yemen — accompanied by threats of a full-scale return to war — reached a new and dangerous level, the Organization’s senior official for that country warned the Security Council today, as he expressed deep concern about a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the Houthis on 19 July and the subsequent Israeli retaliatory attacks on Hudaydah port on 20 July.
From 25 to 28 June, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) and the Government of China hosted the fourth “Training Course for UN Security Council resolution 1540 Points of Contact in the Asia-Pacific Region” in Beijing, China.
On 1 July 2024, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023) concerning Al-Shabaab was briefed by the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts pursuant to resolution 2713 (2023) on its comprehensive midterm update.
In the wake of the Houthis’ 19 July attack on Tel Aviv and Israel’s 20 July retaliation against the port of Hudaydah in Yemen, two senior United Nations officials stressed the urgent need to avoid regional escalation before the Security Council today, as members expressed similar concern but disagreed over the party ultimately responsible for the latest developments.