Archiv: United Nations Organization / Organisation der Vereinten Nationen (UNO)


11.02.2025 - 22:32 [ United Nations ]

Gaza: Return to war must be avoided at all costs, insists UN chief

“We must avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities in Gaza that would lead to an immense tragedy,” said the UN chief, in a statement relayed to journalists by UN Geneva spokesperson Rolando Gomez.

“I appeal to Hamas to proceed with the planned liberation of hostages next Saturday. Both sides must fully abide by their commitments in the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations in Doha for the second phase.”

The development comes amid reports that Hamas suspended the scheduled release of hostages from Gaza on Saturday, on the grounds that Palestinians continue to be killed in the war-torn enclave and that too little aid is entering the Strip.

11.02.2025 - 19:28 [ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) ]

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: STATE/ENTITY – United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

04 Dec 2024
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
JAL
GBR 15/2024
– terrorism
– freedom of opinion and expression
– freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
– privacy
Information received concerning the potentially inappropriate use of provisions of the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006, and the Anti-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. These provisions appear to have been employed to investigate, detain, collect data, and prosecute political activists and journalists, raising concerns about potential infringements of their fundamental
rights.

Alleged victims: 6

(…)

According to the information received:
Powers under counter-terrorism legislation have been used on multiple occasions to examine, detain, and arrest journalists and activists, particularly at the UK border. It is alleged that journalists and activists who are critical of Western foreign policy in the context of the conflict in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war are especially affected by the reported misuse of these powers. In particular, schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, have been used to examine and obtain data from journalists and activists, including Johanna Ross (Ganyukova), John Laughland, Kit Klarenberg, Craig Murray and Richard Medhurst in circumstances where they appear to have no credible connection to “terrorist” or “hostile” activity. Furthermore, section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 has been used to charge journalists and activists, including Richard Barnard and Richard Medhurst, for allegedly expressing support for a “proscribed organisation” in the course of activism and media reporting.

Without having knowledge of the material that may have substantiated the investigations or charges, we raise concern about an alleged pattern of overuse, or other misuse, of counter-terrorism legislation to target legitimate freedom of expression and opinion, including public interest media reporting, and related freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and political
dissent or activism.

(…)

Ben Saul
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

Irene Khan
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression

Gina Romero
Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

Ana Brian Nougrères
Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy

11.02.2025 - 19:24 [ Craig Murray ]

United Nations Censures UK Over Abuse of Terrorism Act Against Journalists and Activists

(February 6, 2025)

Four UN Special Rapporteurs have written jointly to the UK government demanding explanation of its inappropriate persecution of journalists and political activists under the Terrorism Act. They state that those persecuted:

appear to have no credible connection to “terrorist” or “hostile” activity

The cases taken up by the United Nations are those of Johanna Ross (Ganyukova), John Laughland, Kit Klarenberg, Craig Murray (yes, me), Richard Barnard and Richard Medhurst.

05.02.2025 - 20:38 [ Counterpunch.org ]

Relocating UN Headquarters out of the United States

(April 28, 2023)

The United Nations- US headquarters agreement of 26 June 1947[13] envisages in Article IX the possibility of relocating UN headquarters to another venue. Section 23 stipulates “The seat of the United Nations shall not be removed from the headquarters district unless the United Nations should so decide.” Section 24 stipulates “This agreement shall cease to be in force if the seat of the United Nations is removed from the territory of the United States, except for such provisions as may be applicable in connection with the orderly termination of the operations of the United Nations at its seat in the United States and the disposition of its property therein.”

05.02.2025 - 20:24 [ PassBlue.com ]

A Movement to Suspend Israel From the UN Needs a Country to Take the Lead

(August 28, 2024)

Saleh Hijazi, a BNC adviser on apartheid-free policy, said he expected calls for Israel’s suspension to intensify next month with the opening of the 79th session of the General Assembly. UNGA, as it is known, begins on Sept. 10.

04.02.2025 - 19:42 [ MedyaNews.net ]

Ilham Ahmed condemns international inaction on Turkey’s War Crimes in Syria

She criticised the hypocrisy of Western powers such as France and Germany, highlighting the gap between their official statements and actions on the ground. In particular, she condemned their inaction regarding ongoing Turkish military attacks on civilians and infrastructure in northern Syria, stressing that these assaults continue without any clear response or preventive measures from Western nations.

Ahmed was also questioned about her foreign policy efforts, specifically whether she had raised human rights concerns, including Turkey’s occupation of large parts of northern Syria and its alliance with Islamist militias. She confirmed that she had addressed these issues with international actors such as the United Nations, the United States, and European states, urging them to act as guarantors to facilitate the return of refugees to their homes.

25.01.2025 - 18:32 [ Guardian ]

Israel is a rogue nation. It should be removed from the United Nations

(October 15, 2024)

One rogue nation cannot declare war on the UN itself and continue to get away with it

25.01.2025 - 18:18 [ PassBlue.com ]

As Israel’s UNRWA Ban Kicks In, the UN Boss Must Be Ready for Day After

This contradictory approach has led to what one senior UN official described as “a train crash waiting to happen.” The suffering of the Palestinian population, particularly in Gaza, will increase dramatically as UNRWA, the backbone of the humanitarian operation, crumbles without an alternative structure in place. The educational and health sector in the West Bank will also fall into dire straits, with no viable alternatives available.

As part of Israel’s expulsion of UNRWA from its East Jerusalem headquarters on Jan. 30, the government will most likely confiscate the agency’s buildings and transform the site into a Jewish settlement, blatantly violating international law.

25.01.2025 - 17:51 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel orders Unrwa out of Jerusalem as crackdown on agency continues

Israel has ordered the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) to shut down its operations in Jerusalem and vacate all premises by 30 January, according to a letter sent by Israel’s envoy to UN secretary general Antonio Guterres on Friday.

25.01.2025 - 17:48 [ TRTdeutsch.com ]

Israel will Palästinenserhilfswerk UNRWA aus Jerusalem vertreiben

Israel hat das UN-Palästinenserhilfswerk UNRWA aufgefordert, seine Arbeit in Jerusalem bis zum 30. Januar einzustellen und die Stadt zu verlassen. UNRWA sei „verpflichtet, seine Tätigkeit in Jerusalem einzustellen und alle Räumlichkeiten, in denen es in der Stadt tätig ist, bis spätestens 30. Januar 2025 zu räumen“, forderte der israelische UN-Botschafter Danny Danon in einem Brief an UN-Generalsekretär António Guterres. Das Schreiben lag der Deutschen Presse-Agentur vor.

05.01.2025 - 12:49 [ Ynetnews.com ]

UNIFIL’s collapse: Tragic incidents and strategic failures

(January 4, 2025)

However, despite its $551 million budget and a contingent of over 10,000 personnel, UNIFIL has now become symbolic of the United Nations’ broader peacekeeping failures.

This is because, instead of curbing instability as it was tasked, UNIFIL’s presence has inadvertently facilitated Hezbollah’s military buildup, making southern Lebanon a launching pad for attacks on Israel and a stronghold of Iranian influence. As the war unfolds, it is becoming even clearer that UNIFIL’s mission has failed, and its continued presence serves no constructive purpose.

05.01.2025 - 12:19 [ ssllabs.com ]

SSL Report: unmissions.org (85.159.207.65)

TLS 1.3 No
TLS 1.2 Yes
TLS 1.1 Yes
TLS 1.0 Yes

05.01.2025 - 12:10 [ Middle East Eye ]

Unifil accuses Israel of violating Lebanese sovereignty, tearing down border marker

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as Unifil, accused the Israeli military on Saturday f destroying a blue barrel marking the border between Israel and Lebanon, as well as a Lebanese army observation tower.

“This morning peacekeepers observed an IDF bulldozer destroying a blue barrel marking the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel in Labbouneh, as well as an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces immediately beside a UNIFIL position there,” Unifil said.

05.01.2025 - 12:00 [ United Nations ]

UN continues to call for timely Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon

(December 3, 2025)

Operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) north of the UN-monitored Blue Line in southern Lebanon have continued, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, UNIFIL.

This includes movements further north reported in Sector East, while a redeployment by the Lebanese Armed Forces was conducted this week in Shama, in Sector West.

Both Israel and Lebanon have recommitted to full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said during the daily media briefing from New York on Friday.

04.01.2025 - 15:44 [ AfricaNews.com ]

Police and soldiers from Guatemala, El Salvador arrive for Haiti mission

The 83 security personnel included an advance team of eight soldiers from El Salvador and the first 75 of 150 military police officers from Guatemala.

While the Salvadorans will be providing casualty and medical evacuations in support of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, the Guatemalans will be joining operations to take down Haiti’s gangs.

01.01.2025 - 19:01 [ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) ]

Attacks on hospitals during the escalation of hostilities in Gaza (7 October 2023 – 30 June 2024)

INTRODUCTION

1. This report presents grave concerns regarding attacks on hospitals, as well as operations within them and in their vicinity, in Gaza covering the period 7 October 2023 to 30 June 2024. In the context of the ongoing escalation of hostilities in Gaza, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has since early October 2023 documented repeated attacks on hospitals and operations within and in the vicinity of hospitals, leading to sustained combat in and around many hospitals. This pattern has led to the destruction of most hospitals in Gaza, pushing the healthcare system to the point of almost complete collapse. Attacks on hospitals were reported in each of the areas in which the Israeli military conducted ground operations, starting in November 2023 with an attack on Al Shifa Medical Complex and other hospitals in Gaza City. At the end of June 2024, 22 out of 38 hospitals across Gaza had been rendered non-functional, according to the Ministry of Health of the State of Palestine (Palestinian MOH).

2. In gathering, assessing, and verifying the information contained in this report, and drawing conclusions based on international human rights law and international humanitarian law, OHCHR applied its standard methodology. The monitoring and verification of violations remained extremely challenging, including owing to access constraints, a high level of insecurity, and threats and direct attacks also on United Nations personnel, monitors and humanitarian actors. Nevertheless, verification work continued, and information was gathered from multiple independent sources, including victims and witnesses; military and weapons experts; open sources, including satellite imagery, videos and photos; credible organizations and individuals; official and other documentation. The analysis of the information involved legal and weapons expertise, including from independent experts. Findings are included in the report where the “reasonable grounds” standard of proof has been met, namely: based on a body of verified information, an objective and ordinarily prudent observer would have reasonable grounds to believe that the facts took place as described and, where legal conclusions are drawn, that these facts meet all the elements of a violation. On 16 December 2024, the report was shared with the Permanent Missions of Israel and the State of Palestine for factual comments. The State of Palestine and Israel responded with comments on 19 and 20 December, respectively. OHCHR welcomes receiving these comments, which can be read here.

01.01.2025 - 18:53 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

UN Human Rights Office Issues Damning Report on Israeli Attacks on Gaza hospitals

UN Human Rights Office report on Tuesday, December 31, condemned deadly Israeli attacks on hospitals in Gaza, saying they had devastated the Palestinian occupied territory health system and raised serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law.

The appalling destruction wrought by the Israeli military’s attacks on the Kamal Adwan hospital last Friday – leaving the population of North Gaza with almost no access to adequate health care – reflects the pattern of attacks documented in the report. Staff and patients were forced to flee or were taken into custody, with many reports of torture and ill-treatment. The director of the hospital was taken into custody and his fate and whereabouts are unknown.

01.01.2025 - 12:05 [ TruthOut.org ]

UN Expert Urges Medical Boycott of Israel After It Detains Hospital Director

UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese called on the medical community to act on Monday, as reports emerged that Israeli forces are holding the head of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Hussam Abu Safiya, at a torture camp for Palestinian detainees that’s notorious for its brutality.

“I urge medical professionals worldwide to pursue the severance of all ties with Israel as a concrete way to forcefully denounce Israel’s full destruction of the Palestinian healthcare system in Gaza, a critical tool of its ongoing genocide,” Albanese said.

01.01.2025 - 09:45 [ Louise Wateridge / United Nations ]

UN News Champion: ‘Are you keeping up with the death?’ The grinding toll of war in Gaza

(December 24, 2024)

If you have read this far, then you will know why I am here in Gaza. You will understand why my life has been on hold, to do what I can to spend time with my friends, and report on the continued horrors that have engulfed their lives. Report on the families who scream at us in despair, desperate for information on loved ones who have been detained for months. Report on the bodies we see of people around checkpoints, left to be eaten by packs of dogs. Report on toddlers in hospitals with missing limbs after strikes in “humanitarian zones”. Mona’s brother, killed. Hussein’s daughter, killed. Rajaa’s cousin, killed. Are you keeping up with the death? Because we’re not. Here, you’re considered lucky if you actually know if your family are alive.

The journalists on the ground – risking life and limb every day to show the world the horrors consuming their friends, their families, their neighbours. Is the world still looking?

31.12.2024 - 18:00 [ PassBlue.com ]

A Movement to Suspend Israel From the UN Needs a Country to Take the Lead

(August 28, 2024)

Saleh Hijazi, a BNC adviser on apartheid-free policy, said he expected calls for Israel’s suspension to intensify next month with the opening of the 79th session of the General Assembly. UNGA, as it is known, begins on Sept. 10.

31.12.2024 - 15:52 [ Guardian ]

Israel is a rogue nation. It should be removed from the United Nations

(October 15, 2024)

One rogue nation cannot declare war on the UN itself and continue to get away with it

31.12.2024 - 15:10 [ Middle East Eye ]

Unrwa chief condemns global inaction as Israeli ‚horrors‘ persist in Gaza

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza on 7 October 2023, 258 staff members from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees have lost their lives, and at least 650 attacks on Unrwa facilities have been recorded. Additionally, 20 Unrwa workers have been abducted by Israel.

Lazzarini condemned the ongoing violence, stating, “This cannot become the new standard, and impunity cannot become the new norm.” His remarks highlight the growing frustration over the global community’s lack of action in halting Israel’s aggression which has been widely described by human rights organisation as genocidal.

30.12.2024 - 10:02 [ United Nations ]

Gaza: ‘Hunger is everywhere’, babies die from the cold, airstrike on unarmed journalists condemned

Meanwhile in the West Bank, OCHA reported that as of Thursday Israeli military operations have killed 20 Palestinians over a 10-day period, including 12 deaths from airstrikes.

In Tulkarm refugee camp, a military operation caused significant infrastructure damage, with OCHA raising concerns over the repeated use of lethal, war-like tactics exceeding law enforcement standards.

OCHA also reported that 2024 marked the highest displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank since records began nearly two decades ago.

As of Tuesday, 4,706 Palestinians, including 1,949 children, have been displaced,

28.12.2024 - 17:16 [ United Nations ]

‘I saw the blood on the tarmac’: top UN official in Yemen recounts aftermath of Israel airstrike on civilian airport

What was most frightening about that air strike wasn‘t the effect on us, it was that it began as a civilian airliner from Yemenia Airways, carrying hundreds of Yemenis, was about to land. In fact, the plane was taxiing when the air traffic control was destroyed.

Fortunately, that plane was able to land safely, and the passengers were able to disembark but it could have been far, far worse.

The airport is civilian infrastructure. It is where all the international humanitarian aid workers who work in the north of the country enter and leave, so if the airport is disabled it will paralyze humanitarian operations.

It‘s also the airport by which thousands of Yemenis who are unable to get advanced healthcare in the country leave for health facilities in Jordan, Cairo or Mumbai. So, it is an absolute vital humanitarian location. It is essential that all parties to the conflict scrupulously observe international humanitarian law.”

28.12.2024 - 14:04 [ Associated Press ]

Israeli airstrikes hit a Yemen airport as a jet with hundreds onboard was landing, UN official says

Immediately after the airstrikes, Harneis said, U.N. security officials moved the delegation out of the VIP building and into five armored cars where they waited for approximately 40 minutes to ascertain what happened and help the injured crew member.

He was taken to a hospital in Sanaa and underwent four hours of surgery while the rest of the delegation spent the night in a U.N. compound, Harneis said. The U.N. plane with Tedros and the U.N. team, including the injured crew member, was able to depart for Jordan on Friday afternoon – without an operating control tower.

The United Nations said the injured crew member was taken to a hospital in Jordan, and Tedros was heading back to Geneva, where WHO is based,

16.12.2024 - 12:46 [ CBS News ]

After Assad‘s ouster in Syria, U.N. envoy calls for end to sanctions

The U.N. envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, told reporters in Damascus that setting Syria back on track after the past few tumultuous weeks will be helped by a speedy relief of sanctions.

„We can hopefully see a quick end to the sanctions so that we can see really a rallying around building of Syria,“ he said.

08.12.2024 - 08:55 [ Truthout.org ]

UN Palestine Expert: Israel Should Be Removed From UN Over UNRWA Attacks

(December 6, 2024)

The UN’s top independent expert on Palestinian human rights has repeated a call for Israel to be removed from its membership in the United Nations, citing its “relentless attacks” against the institution’s top aid group for Palestinian refugees.

On Thursday, UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said on social media that Israel should be unseated, echoing calls from numerous international law experts and advocates for Palestinian rights.

07.12.2024 - 16:59 [ United Nations Security Council ]

Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for the period from 4 September to 19 November 2014

(01.12.2014)

5. In view of the heavy fighting, which was approaching close to the UNDOF headquarters at Camp Faouar and the mission’s positions in the central part of the area of separation, the Force Commander briefed both parties early in September on the Force’s plans to relocate its personnel and assets should the Nusra Front or other extremist fighters who posed a clear threat to the mission endanger the safety and security of the United Nations personnel. It should be noted here that from information posted on social media as well as in the course of its efforts to secure the release of the peacekeepers, the United Nations learned that its personnel had been taken and held by members of the Nusra Front. There were indications that the Nusra Front intended to detain additional UNDOF personnel and take from UNDOF more weapons and vehicles as opportunities arose. (…)

12. Crossing of the ceasefire line by civilians, primarily shepherds, was observed on an almost daily basis. On 24 October, United Nations observation post 73 observed 12 IDF soldiers who detained one civilian between the Alpha line and the Israeli technical fence south-east of the observation post and subsequently took him away. IDF informed UNDOF that they released the person within one hour at the same location. On 27 October, position 80 observed two IDF soldiers east of the technical fence returning from the direction of the Alpha line towards the technical fence. UNDOF observed IDF opening the technical fence gate and letting two individuals pass from the Bravo to the Alpha side. Following the evacuation of UNDOF personnel from position 85 on 28 August, UNDOF sporadically observed armed members of the opposition interacting with IDF across the ceasefire line in the vicinity of United Nations position 85.

07.12.2024 - 16:53 [ UN Tribune ]

UN Peacekeepers Observe IDF Interacting With Al Nusra in Golan

(4.12.2014)

UN troops monitoring the 1974 ceasefire between Israel and Syria have witnessed interactions between members of the Israeli Defence Forces and the Al Nusra Front who have taken over a large part of the Golan Heights.

27.11.2024 - 19:40 [ United Nations ]

UN welcomes ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that the agreement “can put an end to the violence, destruction and suffering the people of both countries have been experiencing.”

“The Secretary-General urges the parties to fully respect and swiftly implement all of their commitments made under this agreement,” the statement noted.

He also urged the parties to undertake immediate steps towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

“The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) both stand ready to support the implementation of this agreement, in line with their respective mandates,” the statement added.

26.11.2024 - 18:04 [ United Nations ]

Lebanon: UNIFIL concerned by attacks on Lebanese Armed Forces

The UN Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) is also seriously concerned by numerous strikes on the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) despite their declared non-involvement in the hostilities, he added.

The LAF have reported that at least 45 soldiers have been killed in recent attacks.

20.11.2024 - 14:48 [ PassBlue.com ]

A Movement to Suspend Israel From the UN Needs a Country to Take the Lead

(August 28, 2024)

Saleh Hijazi, a BNC adviser on apartheid-free policy, said he expected calls for Israel’s suspension to intensify next month with the opening of the 79th session of the General Assembly. UNGA, as it is known, begins on Sept. 10.

(The Palestinian delegation at the UN said on Aug. 22 that it was also planning to soon initiate an “actionable resolution” in the General Assembly, “demanding within a time frame the end of this illegal occupation and all other issues contained” in the ICJ advisory opinion.)

20.11.2024 - 14:21 [ Guardian ]

Israel is a rogue nation. It should be removed from the United Nations

(October 15, 2024)

One rogue nation cannot declare war on the UN itself and continue to get away with it

17.11.2024 - 11:22 [ Guardian ]

Israel is a rogue nation. It should be removed from the United Nations

(October 15, 2024)

One rogue nation cannot declare war on the UN itself and continue to get away with it

16.11.2024 - 12:12 [ Middle East Eye ]

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese calls David Lammy a ‚genocide denier‘

)November 14, 2024)

The United Nations special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories has accused British Foreign Secretary David Lammy of being a „genocide denier“ and said the UK has done „nothing“ to prevent atrocities in Gaza.

In an interview with Middle East Eye in London on Wednesday, Francesca Albanese took aim at Lammy in response to comments he made in late October denying that Israel is committing genocide.

„I hadn‘t realised that Mr Lammy was a lawyer,“ she said, referring to Lammy‘s legal background.

„As a politician, you might say that for political convenience,“ she suggested, adding that would still make someone „a genocide denier“.

15.11.2024 - 12:40 [ SSLLabs.com ]

SSL Report: unifil.unmissions.org (85.159.200.174)

Protocols
TLS 1.3 No
TLS 1.2 Yes
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TLS 1.0 Yes

(…)

Forward Secrecy With some browsers (more info)

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Strict Transport Security (HSTS) Invalid Server provided more than one HSTS header

09.11.2024 - 21:00 [ United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) ]

Statement of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini to the United Nations General Assembly

I have three urgent requests to prevent this devastating outcome:

First, I ask that Member States act to prevent the implementation of the legislation against UNRWA.

Changes to UNRWA’s mandate are the prerogative of the General Assembly, not individual Member States.

Second, I ask that Member States ensure that any plan for a political transition delineates UNRWA’s role.

The Agency must progressively conclude its mandate within the framework of a political solution, and hand over its services to an empowered Palestinian administration.

Finally, I ask that Member States maintain funding to UNRWA, and do not withhold or divert funds on the assumption that the Agency can no longer operate.

The cost of providing critical services, including education and healthcare, during a transition will be immense.

I must also alert Member States that abruptly dismantling the Agency will cost more than half a billion dollars in staff separation indemnities alone.

09.11.2024 - 20:42 [ United Nations / Youtube ]

At General Assembly, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini urges Member States to defend UNRWA

(November 6, 2024)

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini addressed the UN General Assembly, describing a critical moment for the agency as new Israeli legislation threatens its operations. Lazzarini urged member states to oppose the legislation, support UNRWA’s continued operation, and ensure sustained funding to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

09.11.2024 - 20:30 [ efe.com ]

UNRWA urges UN General Assembly to protect agency to avoid ‘chaos’

(November 7, 2024)

“Without intervention by member states, UNRWA will collapse, plunging millions of Palestinians into chaos,” Philippe Lazzarini warned during a special session requested by Palestine after the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, passed on Monday two laws to ban the agency’s activity and any Israeli official’s contacts with it within three months.

08.11.2024 - 21:27 [ Puls24.at ]

Erneut UNO-Soldaten im Libanon verletzt

(November 7, 2024)

„Der israelische Feind zielte auf ein Auto, als es den Awali-Checkpoint in Sidon passierte“, erklärte die libanesische Armee. Dies habe zum Tod von drei Insassen geführt. Bei den Verletzten handle es sich um vier malaysische UNIFIL-Soldaten und drei libanesische Soldaten.

Österreichische UNO-Soldaten seien auch im Konvoi gewesen, aber nicht verletzt worden, teilte das Verteidigungsministerium der APA auf Anfrage mit.

08.11.2024 - 21:13 [ Reuters ]

UN peacekeepers say Israel‘s destruction of their property breaches international law

In its latest accusation, UNIFIL said the IDF used excavators and a bulldozer to destroy part of a fence and concrete structure at a U.N. peacekeeping position in southern Lebanon on Thursday. Peacekeepers had also observed Israeli troops this week removing a barrel that marks blue line, it said.
„The IDF‘s deliberate and direct destruction of clearly identifiable UNIFIL property is a flagrant violation of international law and resolution 1701,“ UNIFIL said, referring to a U.N. resolution that mandates a cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon after a previous war.

06.11.2024 - 13:31 [ United Nations ]

Strikes in Gaza, Lebanon, as aid teams support ‘overwhelmed’ burns centre

Victims from airstrikes in Lebanon “overwhelmed the hospital”, the WHO official explained, insisting that it was critical to continue supporting “the only burns centre that’s available in the country. Off the 40 burns patients treated so far “25 per cent of them are children”, he said.

Initially equipped with 10 beds, the Geitaoui Hospital burns centre has had to expand to 25 beds, providing critical care to severely injured patients.

There are enough new trauma kits to treat 50 patients twice; each kit has two modules, one containing medications and other supplies, the other specialist burns treatments and dressings.

Expressing solidarity with Lebanon’s health professionals, the top UN aid coordinator in the country condemned ongoing military targeting of medical personnel and infrastructure, including ambulances which are “very much under attack”.

“We need to be supporting them with supplies, we need to be supporting them also need with advocacy,” said Imran Riza, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon. “There have been great violations of international humanitarian law that we are seeing. So, we need to make sure these are not happening, that health care workers can do what they‘re there for, helping people and saving lives.”

03.11.2024 - 13:10 [ Guardian ]

Spying, hacking and intimidation: Israel’s nine-year ‘war’ on the ICC exposed

(May 28, 2024)

Thanks to their comprehensive access to Palestinian telecoms infrastructure, the sources said, intelligence operatives could capture the calls without installing spyware on the ICC official’s devices.

“If Fatou Bensouda spoke to any person in the West Bank or Gaza, then that phone call would enter [intercept] systems,” one source said. Another said there was no hesitation internally over spying on the prosecutor, adding: “With Bensouda, she’s black and African, so who cares?”

The surveillance system did not capture calls between ICC officials and anyone outside Palestine. However, multiple sources said the system required the active selection of the overseas phone numbers of ICC officials whose calls Israeli intelligence agencies decided to listen to.

According to one Israeli source, a large whiteboard in an Israeli intelligence department contained the names of about 60 people under surveillance – half of them Palestinians and half from other countries, including UN officials and ICC personnel.

In The Hague, Bensouda and her senior staff were alerted by security advisers and via diplomatic channels that Israel was monitoring their work.

03.11.2024 - 10:22 [ Hurriyet ]

UN should consider suspending Israel, says rapporteur

(November 1,2024)

Francesca Albanese made her remarks during a session of a U.N. committee focused on the inalienable rights of Palestinians on Oct. 30, just a day after releasing a report accusing Israel of committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

„It is time to consider suspending the credentials of Israel as a member state of the U.N.,“ Albanese stated. She acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding the issue, emphasizing that many member states also have troubled human rights records.

02.11.2024 - 18:48 [ Unicef ]

Stop the assault on Palestinians in Gaza and on those trying to help them

NEW YORK/GENEVA/ROME, 1 November 2024 – „We the leaders of 15 United Nations and humanitarian organizations urge, yet again, all parties fighting in Gaza to protect civilians, and call on the State of Israel to cease its assault on Gaza and on the humanitarians trying to help.

„The situation unfolding in North Gaza is apocalyptic. The area has been under siege for almost a month, denied basic aid and life-saving supplies while bombardment and other attacks continue. Just in the past few days, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and thousands have once again been forcibly displaced. ……….

(…)

Signatories:

• Ms. Joyce Msuya, Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

• Ms. Nimo Hassan, MBE, Chair, International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)

• Mr. Jamie Munn, Executive Director, International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)

• Ms. Amy E. Pope, Director General, International Organization for Migration (IOM)

• Mr. Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

• Ms. Abby Maxman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Oxfam 3

• Ms. Paula Gaviria Betancur, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (SR on HR of IDPs)

• Mr. Achim Steiner, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

• Ms. Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat)

• Mr. Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

• Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

• Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UN Children‘s Fund (UNICEF)

• Ms. Sima Bahous, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women

• Ms. Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP)

• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO)

01.11.2024 - 10:01 [ Guardian ]

Israel is a rogue nation. It should be removed from the United Nations

(October 15, 2024)

One rogue nation cannot declare war on the UN itself and continue to get away with it

01.11.2024 - 09:03 [ New York Times ]

South Africa Is Suspended By U.N. Assembly, 91‐22

(Nov. 13, 1974)

The vote of 91 to 22 was taken to uphold a ruling by the Assembly‘s President, Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, suspending South African participation.

The United States unsuccessfully challenged the ruling, Which was also opposed by Britain, a number of Western Europeans and South Americans, and some others. Nineteen countries abstained.

31.10.2024 - 18:16 [ United Nations ]

Israeli laws blocking UNRWA – devastating humanitarian impact for Palestinians?

How has the UN reacted to the adoption of the legislation?

The reaction from the UN system to the bills has been swift and unequivocal. As the news broke on Monday, several of the most senior UN officials, up to and including Secretary-General António Guterres, condemned the decision.

Mr. Guterres stressed…
The acting head of the UN aid coordination office, Joyce Msuya, called the decision…
UNRWA’s Mr. Lazzarini said that…
OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence declaring that…
World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus calling the development…
UNICEF chief Catherine Russell also reminded that…
while James Elder, a UNICEF staffer in the region, denounced the decision, saying…

What happens next?

(…)

Mr. Guterres informed the President of the General Assembly that he had written a letter to the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on his government …

31.10.2024 - 12:41 [ News.az ]

Rapporteur calls for suspension of Israel‘s UN membership

„I do believe that the impunity that has been granted to Israel has allowed it to become a serial violator of international law,“ Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, said at a news conference.

Albanese said she recommends that the General Assembly consider the suspension of Israel‘s credential as a member of the UN until it ends violating international laws and withdraws the occupation, which she said is „clearly unlawful.“

(…)

„The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to withdraw, unconditionally, totally, rapidly as possible its military presence, dismantling the colonies, stopping the seizing the exploitation of natural resources on the occupied Palestinian territory and making also reparations,“ Albanese added.

31.10.2024 - 10:35 [ Anadolu ]

Arab League to hold emergency meeting on Israeli ban on UNRWA

Jordan filed a formal request Tuesday for the Arab League to convene this emergency meeting to formulate a collective response to Israel‘s ban on UNRWA.

31.10.2024 - 10:33 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel is at war with the UN. It is time to revoke its membership

Unrwa’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, has warned that the Knesset vote „opposes the UN Charter and violates the State of Israel’s obligations under international law“.

In a letter to the president of the UN General Assembly, Lazzarini added that „under such physical, political and operational attack“ Unrwa’s fulfilling of its mandate will become impossible without the intervention of the General Assembly.

(…)

Back in 1974 the General Assembly voted to suspend South Africa from participation in its work due to international opposition to its apartheid policies.

It worked with South Africa, it will work with Israel.

28.10.2024 - 06:09 [ United Nations ]

‘Entire population of north Gaza at risk of dying,’ warns UN’s top humanitarian official

(October 27, 2024)

The UN’s top humanitarian official warned on Saturday that the entire population of northern Gaza is at risk of dying, calling for an immediate stop to “blatant disregard for basic humanity” by Israeli forces.

“What Israeli forces are doing in besieged north Gaza cannot be allowed to continue,” said Joyce Msuya, acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, in a statement posted on the social media platform X.

Hospitals have been hit, health workers detained and first responders prevented from rescuing people trapped under the rubble, she noted.

“Shelters have been emptied and burned down…families have been separated, and men and boys taken away by the truckload,” she added.

27.10.2024 - 21:00 [ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) ]

Türk says world must act as darkest moment of Gaza conflict unfolds

(October 25, 2024)

“Under the Geneva Conventions, States have an obligation to act when a serious violation of international humanitarian law has been committed,” Türk said. “Under the Genocide Convention, State parties also have the responsibility to act to prevent such a crime, when risk becomes apparent.

“For months, I have pleaded with all parties to the conflict, as well as all States, particularly those with influence in the region, to act to stop the carnage and destruction, to ensure the prompt and unconditional release of all hostages, and to ensure international humanitarian and international human rights law are respected. But still this goes on and on and on.

“Now, the international rule of law is being progressively dismantled,” he added. “Either the world ashamedly fails those who so desperately need help, or we stand united and put a stop to this.

27.10.2024 - 20:44 [ TRTdeutsch.com ]

Gaza-Krieg: UN-Kommissar fordert Maßnahmen zur Verhinderung von Genozid

(October 25, 2024)

Türk erinnerte daran, dass Staaten nicht nur verpflichtet sind, gegen Kriegsverbrechen vorzugehen. „Nach der Völkermordkonvention sind die Vertragsstaaten auch dafür verantwortlich, Maßnahmen zu ergreifen, um ein solches Verbrechen zu verhindern, wenn eine Gefahr erkennbar wird“, sagte er. „Ich flehe Sie an, den Schutz der Zivilbevölkerung und die Menschenrechte an erste Stelle zu setzen und dieses Minimum an Menschlichkeit nicht aufzugeben“, appellierte er an Staats- und Regierungschefs.

27.10.2024 - 20:21 [ YeniSafak.com/ ]

At least 5 killed in new Israeli airstrike on UN-run school in Gaza City

At least five people were killed in another Israeli airstrike on a UN-run school sheltering displaced civilians west of Gaza City on Sunday, a medical source said.

Twenty other people were injured in the attack that targeted Asma School, run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the Shati refugee camp, the source added.

The attack was the second to have targeted the same school within days.

27.10.2024 - 19:50 [ United Nations General Secretary ]

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on North Gaza

In the name of humanity, the Secretary-General reiterates his calls for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and accountability for crimes under international law.

27.10.2024 - 19:44 [ United Nations ]

UN chief ‘shocked’ at harrowing death and destruction in north Gaza

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed shock at the “harrowing levels of death, injury and destruction” in north Gaza amid an ongoing intense Israeli military operation, his Spokesperson said on Sunday.

23.10.2024 - 09:10 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israel suspected of using white phosphorus on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon: Report

The reported incident occurred on 13 October, when the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said two Israeli Merkava tanks broke through the gates of one of its bases. The tanks left after 45 minutes, following complaints from Unifil.

The Financial Times does not specify in its report where the incident took place, but on that same day, two tanks were reported to have hit the post of a Unifil base in Ramya, a town in southern Lebanon. Unifil said its peacekeepers were being treated for skin irritation and gastrointestinal reactions.

Within the next hour after the tanks left, several rounds were fired 100 metres north of the Unifil base, and the rounds emitted a „smoke of suspected white phosphorous“ that ultimately injured 15 peacekeepers.

21.10.2024 - 10:45 [ United Nations ]

Israeli army ‘deliberately demolished’ watchtower, fence at UN peacekeeping site in southern Lebanon

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has said that an Israeli army bulldozer demolished an observation tower and the perimeter fence of a UN position earlier on Sunday in Marwahin, in the southern part of the country.

21.10.2024 - 10:10 [ France24.com ]

Arab League to appeal for Gaza ‚no-fly zone‘

(April 10, 2011)

The Arab League request for a no-fly zone over Gaza may have been inspired by a UN-sanctioned aerial blockade for Libya to halt forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi harming civilians.

Arab League backing for that no-fly zone was seen as crucially important by the United States when it pressed for a UN resolution that authorised it and other countries to keep Libyan planes grounded.

21.10.2024 - 09:32 [ United-Nations.org ]

Charter Chapter VII: Action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression

Article 42

Should the Security Council consider that measures provided for in Article 41 would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of members of the Renewed United Nations, when peaceful solutions to the conflict, leading to freedom, personal responsibility, self-determination, increased prosperity and further implemenations of fundamental rights and freedoms for the population of the territory are simultaneously proposed or put into effect.

17.10.2024 - 02:16 [ Reuters ]

UN mission in Lebanon needs different rules of engagement, Italy says

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told RAI television that changing UNIFIL‘s rules of engagement or increasing troop numbers could happen if Israel stopped its operations.
„The message we want to send to Israel is that if you stop your army, the U.N. can also change its approach in that part of Lebanon, so that we can peacefully achieve what you‘re now trying to do by attacking Hezbollah‘s bases militarily,“ he said.

16.10.2024 - 23:21 [ United Nations ]

Opening Remarks of UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator at the Lebanon Response Plan Steering Committee Meeting

A Steering Committee for the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP) was formed today following the endorsement of the humanitarian and stabilization response plan for Lebanon for 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by the Prime Minister and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN. It was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers of Education and Higher Education, Public Health, Social Affairs, Energy and Water, Labor, Agriculture and Environment; alongside the Ambassadors to Lebanon of Canada, France, the EU, Germany and the charge d‘affaires for the US; as well as Representatives of UN Agencies and national and international NGOs.

Below are the opening remarks as delivered by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the LRP Steering Committee meeting:

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Mikati, esteemed ministers, honorable ambassadors, distinguished guests, dear colleagues, good morning.

We gather here today at a truly unprecedented time for Lebanon. This country has already faced many years of multi-layered crises. Over the past year, the escalation of hostilities has inflicted severe damage on communities in the South. In the last weeks, the violence has intensified, causing widespread civilian casualties, mass displacement, and extensive destruction across the country.

Healthcare and frontline workers have come under attack, as have civil defense centers and water supply systems, pushing essential services to the brink of collapse. This must stop.

16.10.2024 - 22:24 [ ssllabs.com ]

SSL Report: unmissions.org (85.159.207.65)

TLS 1.3 No
TLS 1.2 Yes
TLS 1.1 Yes
TLS 1.0 Yes

16.10.2024 - 22:14 [ United Nations ]

‘Yet another’ Israeli strike on peacekeepers’ position in southern Lebanon

“Yet again we see direct and apparently deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position,” the Mission said in a statement.

“We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times,” it stressed.

16.10.2024 - 22:10 [ Middle East Eye ]

Israeli tank fired at UN peacekeepers‘ watchtower in Lebanon, says Unifil

(19:06 BST)

The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (Unifil) said an Israeli Merkava tank fired at their watchtower near southern Lebanon‘s Kfar Kela on Wednesday morning.

Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged, Unifil said.

15.10.2024 - 20:53 [ Medical Aid for Palestinians - MAP.org ]

Northern Gaza is being erased – Global leaders must act now to end Israel’s atrocities

The Israeli forces’ assault on Gaza has escalated to a horrifying level of atrocity. Northern Gaza is being wiped off the map. Under the guise of “evacuation,” Israeli forces have ordered the forced displacement of an estimated 400,000 Palestinians trapped in northern Gaza, including Gaza City. This is not an evacuation – this is forced displacement under gunfire. Since 1 October, no food has been allowed into the area, and civilians are being starved and bombed in their homes and their tents.

(…)

Signatories:

– ActionAid

– Action For Humanity

– Afri (Action from Ireland)

– Amos Trust

– Bloody Sunday Trust

– Centre for Global Education

– CESVI

– Children Not Numbers

– Christian Aid

– Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)

– Comhlamh Justice for Palestine

– Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu)

– Embrace the Middle East

– Feminist Humanitarian Network (FHN)

– Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS)

– Global Justice Now

– HelpAge International

– Interpal

– Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

– Islamic Relief

– KinderUSA

– Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)

– Médecins du Monde Spain

– Middle East Children‘s Alliance

– Muslim Aid

– Novact Institute for Nonviolence

– Oxfam

– Plan International Jordan

– Sabeel-Kairos UK

– Sadaka-The Ireland Palestine Alliance

– TDH Italy

– Trócaire

– Trinity College Dublin Students‘ Union/ Aontas Mac Léinn Choláiste na Tríonóide (TCDSU/AMLCT)

– Vento di Terra

– War Child

– War on Want

– WeWorld

– Welfare Association

15.10.2024 - 19:17 [ United Nations ]

Lebanon: Security Council offers ‘unanimous support’ to UNIFIL peacekeepers

The head of UN Peace Operations on Monday said ambassadors in the Security Council had given a “unanimous expression of support” to peacekeepers in Lebanon remaining in position along the Blue Line that separates south Lebanon from Israel, despite coming under fire, with five “Blue Helmets” sustaining injuries following attacks by Israeli forces.

Jean Pierre Lacroix was speaking to the media at UN Headquarters in New York after emerging from a closed door meeting on peacekeeping mission UNIFIL, amidst Israeli calls for the force to vacate the area and move further north.

14.10.2024 - 05:52 [ 20min.ch ]

Guterres nennt Angriff auf UNO-Basis «mögliche Kriegsverbrechen»

Das Aussendepartement hat den israelischen Vorstoss in einen UN-Stützpunkt verurteilt.
Zuvor hatten israelische Panzer das Tor zu einer Unifil-Einrichtung durchbrochen, über ein Dutzend Blauhelme wurden verletzt.
Auch der Papst hat dazu aufgerufen, die «Friedenstruppen zu respektieren».