"UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF"

With the resumption of military operations in the Gaza strip in the early hours of Friday, UN humanitarians on Friday called for an immediate halt of hostilities in the war-shattered Palestinian enclave and called on parties and States with influence to ensure a ceasefire. UNTV CH

Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Sami Bahous welcomed "the news that 50 hostages, all women, and children, will be released in return for the release of 150 Palestinian women and children, and a much-needed humanitarian pause.” UNIFEED

Quoting a report by the NGO Save the Children, the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said that nearly 3,200 children were killed in Gaza in three weeks, surpassing the number of children killed annually across the world's conflict zones since 2019. UNIFEED

Following Israel’s order to the entire population of northern Gaza to relocate to the southern half of the territory within 24 hours, UN humanitarians on Friday raised deep concern for the affected civilians who have faced six days of bombardment in a worsening humanitarian crisis. UNTV CH

Four days after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched thousands of indiscriminate rockets into central Israel, prompting the bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces, UN humanitarians urged all parties to cease fighting immediately and abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. UNTV CH

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell concluded a four-day visit to India to highlight life-saving progress in health and development for millions of vulnerable children, while calling on global leaders to prioritise investment in children to deliver on the world’s Sustainable Development Goals. UNICEF

The UN chief António Guterres said, “Education represents a pathway to a better future for every person, and a more peaceful world. We can — and must — protect education from attack.” UNIFEED

UN Agencies today deployed boats to deliver assistance in the Kherson Region in Ukraine, where communities are affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. OCHA

The food security situation in Yemen’s districts under the control of the Government of Yemen (GoY) slightly improved during the first five months of this year, while acute malnutrition increased, compared to the same period in 2022. However, the outlook for the period between now until the end of 2023 indicates the need for more programme investments, as the modest improvements may be eroded, UN agencies warned on Friday. UNICEF

Theme of the ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment (23-25 May 2023): Guiding United Nations development system's support in response to interlinked crises and to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.