LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
10 August
- The UN Human Rights Office condemns Israeli Defense Force’s Strike on Al Tabae’en School in Gaza City (OHCHR)
8 August
- Reviving markets is critical for recovery, says World Food Programme’s regional chief. Corinne Fleischer describes Gaza as “a terrible situation getting worse.”Over the past two weeks, 21 World Food Programme (WFP) food distribution points have been closed under evacuation orders. “Two million people are crammed into 14 percent of the territory.” She said.
- Statement by UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr on the impact of the recent violence and attacks in the Middle East on children (UNICEF)
7 August
- Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in the Gaza Strip (South Africa v. Israel) – Türkiye files a declaration of intervention in the proceedings under Article 63 of the Statute (ICJ Press Release)
5 August
- The Pooled Funds’ response to the escalation of conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OCHA)
- Investigation completed: allegations on UNRWA staff participation in the 7 October attacks (UNRWA)
Note to correspondents – on the OIOS investigation of UNRWA:
OIOS made findings in relation to each of the 19 UNRWA staff members alleged to have been involved in the attacks.
In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement, while in nine other cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff members’ involvement. With respect to these ten cases, appropriate measures will be taken in due course, in conformity with UNRWA Regulations and Rules.
In respect of the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023. The employment of these individuals will be terminated in the interests of the Agency.
2 August
- Statement by United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on the Situation in the Middle East (UNSCO)
30 July
We have reached a tragic and devastating milestone that I was hoping we would never cross.
Since the war began in October 2023, we have lost 202 UNRWA colleagues, all killed in Gaza.
May they rest in peace.
They were teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, engineers, support staff, logisticians, and technology and communications workers.
They were dedicated to serving their communities.
Message from the Commissioner-General : Fallen UNRWA colleagues in Gaza (UNRWA)
22 July
- A UN convoy has been hit by “heavy shooting” from Israeli forces at a checkpoint while en route to Gaza city, the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Monday. (UN News)
19 July
- The International Court of Justice has delivered today its Advisory Opinion in the proceedings concerning Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. (ICJ)
- “The sustained abuse by Israel of its position as an occupying Power, through annexation and an assertion of permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and continued frustration of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, violates fundamental principles of international law and renders Israel’s presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful” (UNRIC News)
- The Secretary-General will promptly transmit the Advisory Opinion to the General Assembly, which had requested the Court’s advice. It is for the General Assembly to decide how to proceed in this matter. (OSSG)
- Observations from Gaza by Head of UN Human Rights office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Ajith Sunghay (UN Human Rights)
18 July
- Maryse Guimond, UN Women Special Representative in Palestine, spoke at the noon briefing at the UN from Jerusalem about her visit to Gaza in June (UN Women)
17 July
- “We speak to Alexia Guillaume, an Associate Humanitarian Affairs Officer with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who deployed to Al-Arish city, a logistical hub for the humanitarian aid crossing into Gaza through the Egypt corridor.” – Working at logistical hub for humanitarian aid crossing into Gaza (UN Story)
- Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council on the Situation in the Middle East (OSSG)
14 July
- Statement by Scott Anderson, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator and Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza (OCHA, UN RC/HC oPt)
