Briefing top diplomats, the UN chief said the world must not look away from the suffering of civilians in Gaza, calling for “a true humanitarian ceasefire” that leads to a lasting two-State solution. The meeting has now ended in New York, but the frantic diplomacy continues to try and end the devastation in Gaza caused…
Speaking at the Assembly’s annual debate assessing the UN’s premier forum for peace and security, Dennis Francis said that without structural reform, the Council’s performance and legitimacy will inevitably continue to suffer. “Violence and war continue to spread in regions across the world, while the United Nations seems paralyzed due largely to the divisions in…
4:20 PM Pause ‘cannot replace’ a ceasefire: Russia Russian Ambassador Nebenzia said getting aid and humanitarian assistance into Gaza is essential, especially given the deteriorating situation on the ground, with dwindling fuel supplies and the Israeli operations that are shelling schools and storming the Al-Shifa Hospital. “Humanitarian pauses cannot replace a ceasefire or truce,” he…
Ambassadors met for their annual briefing with the heads of UN Police Components serving at field missions. Approximately 9,000 police officers – men and women – from 94 countries are deployed at UN peace operations, mainly in formed police units (FPUs) comprised of 140 members. Unique responses required Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, opened…
3:26 PM Palestine Red Crescent Society: ‘Health sector is under attack’ Marwan Jilani, Director General of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, provided an overview of recent events, noting that he had to rewrite his statement several times as the situation is “changing by the minute”. People are getting shot at “as we speak”, with 20…
3:00 PM The Security Council session for the afternoon has begun, but it’s meeting first over the situation in Western Sahara, and then will meet to consider the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. The emergency meeting was reportedly called for by the United Arab Emirates, the sole Arab nation on the 15-member Council, after Israel…
Addressing the Council’s annual debate on resolution 1325, he appealed for countries to “urgently bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality” through concrete action in the areas of participation, financing and leadership. “Of 18 peace agreements reached last year, only one was signed or witnessed by a representative of a women’s group or organization,” he…
Last Monday, a previous Russian-led draft resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” was voted down at the Council, and the following Wednesday, the United States vetoed a Brazilian-led text that urged “humanitarian pauses” to deliver aid to millions in the Gaza Strip. The new proposals, currently under negotiation, reportedly address the shortages of essential…
UN News is winding down live coverage of today’s events in the Council soon. For full blow by blow coverage of the debate so far and the speakers still to come on the Israel-Palestine crisis, you can visit our special UN Meetings Coverage Section, here. Syria Syria’s Representative Al Haka Dindi, said Israel’s criminal and…
The latest upsurge in violence between Israel and Hamas which began on 7 October swiftly reached the radar of the UN Security Council, tasked by the UN Charter with maintaining international peace and security. But, to date, the 15-member organ has rejected similarly worded draft resolutions aimed at, among other things, establishing a ceasefire and…
