Palestinian issues

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports that a vicious cycle of climate change, wildfires and air pollution is having a spiralling negative impact on human health, ecosystems and agriculture.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that another wave of deadly attacks struck Ukraine today. In Lviv — a regional centre in western Ukraine and home to many displaced people — that city suffered one of the deadliest attacks since the escalation of the war.

Against the backdrop of the recent killing of six Israeli hostages, a mounting Palestinian death toll in Gaza and increasing settler violence in the occupied West Bank, speakers in the Security Council today urged Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that includes a ceasefire and unconditional release of those still held captive.

In Syria, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports in the north-east of the country the UN carried out a cross-line inter-agency assessment mission to Al-Kisrah district in Deir-ez-Zor, and that is the first such mission since 2018.

In southern Africa, humanitarian personnel report that the region is experiencing severe food insecurity due to an El Niño-induced drought. More than 1.1 million children under the age of 5 are facing severe acute malnutrition in 12 countries.

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People met this afternoon to hear a report from the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations.

As the United Nations and its humanitarian partners prepare for a vaccination campaign in Gaza to deal with the polio outbreak, speakers in the Security Council urged Israel to refrain from military operations and evacuation orders to ensure that those delivering and receiving services can do so safely.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports that the significant rise in the water levels of the Nile has heightened the need for preparedness there, especially in high-risk communities near rivers or swampland.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and most particularly in the West Bank, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is warning that people there are increasingly exposed to deadly warfare tactics that seem to exceed international standards for law enforcement.