In the aftermath of an air strike on a northern Gaza hospital that marked a sharp escalation in the ongoing Israel-Gaza crisis, the Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution put forth by Brazil that would have called for humanitarian pauses to allow full, safe and unhindered access for United Nations agencies and their partners, due to a veto cast by a permanent member of the Council, the United States.

While the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals has reached a critical juncture in its lifespan, the conclusion of its in-court activity “does not mean we are closing down”, its President said today as she briefed the General Assembly on its work over the past year.

Delegates in the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today traded allegations over non-compliance with treaties banning biological and chemical weapons, which some called “morally repugnant” and a “breeding ground” for terrorists.

Speakers today emphasized the vital role of the Department of Global Communications in disseminating accurate and fact-based information amid proliferating conflicts and pressing global challenges, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its review of questions relating to information.

As the Sixth Committee (Legal) commenced today its consideration of the rule of law at the national and international levels and the Secretary-General’s report on the matter, delegates discussed the use of technology to advance access to justice for all, while also underscoring the importance of proper control and accountability to ensure human rights are respected.

Delegates called on each other to address recent and long-standing conflicts, condemning human rights abuses and violations, including civilian population transfer, ethnic cleansing, and incitement to hatred, as the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) continued its discussion of the promotion and protection of human rights today.

Disarmament is not a lofty ideal, but a practical imperative, the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) heard today as it concluded its thematic debate on nuclear weapons and began debating other mass destruction weapons.

Troubled by the Organization’s precarious liquidity situation and its impact on mandate delivery, delegates of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today urged Member States with adequate financial resources to meet their obligations fully, promptly and without conditions.

The Security Council entity overseeing sanctions on Somalia recently met twice for informal discussions on delivery of humanitarian assistance, maritime security, countering terrorism financing, security, and weapons and ammunition management and tracing, its Chair reported today.

The Second Committee (Economic and Financial) today concluded its debate on “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources”, with speakers disagreeing over the context of the current situation in Gaza.