"INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW"

“I must echo loud and clear what our colleagues in Gaza have just stressed. The bombs have got to stop. Again civilians are living a nightmare. Again we are receiving reports of bombings in northern Gaza, in the middle of Gaza. Reports of leaflets being dropped on Khan Younis telling civilians to flee,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office. UNTV CH

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

In a message delivered by the Deputy Secretary-General during an event marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the Secretary-General said that this is a day for reaffirming international solidarity with the Palestinian people and their right to live in peace and dignity. UNIFEED

UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council, “we need a true humanitarian ceasefire,” adding that a failure of establishing a two-State solution “will condemn Palestinians, Israelis, the region and the world, to a never-ending cycle of death and destruction.” UNIFEED

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

WHO is appalled by the attack on the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza, which reportedly resulted in the killing of at least 12 persons including patients and their companions residing at the hospital. WHO

Wrapping up her second visit to the Horn of Africa country, the Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Somalia highlighted the interlinkages of human rights and other developments in the country. UNSOM

Humanitarian Chief Martin Griffiths called for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza for an “indefinite period” in order to “facilitate an unimpeded humanitarian response” and to “give the people of Gaza a breather upon the terrible things that have been put on them on these last few weeks.” He also called “without conditions” for the release of all hostages. UNIFEED

The UN Human Rights Office is closely monitoring developments in Myanmar where anti-military armed groups and their allies have made significant advances and several hundred soldiers have reportedly chosen to lay down their weapons. UNTV CH

The UN health agency warned that Gaza’s health system is “on its knees.” UNTV CH