The International Court of Justice announced new provisional measures in relation to South Africa’s claim, ordering Israel to immediately cease military operations in Rafah. Top news of the day | Friday: Gaza, Ukraine, protection of humanitarian workers, hurricanes UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to stop military operations in Rafah, UN observers recorded the “catastrophic” impact of the fighting in north-eastern Ukraine, a resolution on the protection of humanitarian personnel, increased hurricane activity.
Temporary measures for Gaza
The International Court of Justice announced new interim measures following a claim by South Africa, ordering Israel to immediately cease military operations in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip and open the border crossing for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid. The court made this decision by 13 votes in favor and two against. The new temporary measures were taken in response to a renewed request from South Africa on 10 May. Let us recall that South Africa accused Israel of violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention. The International Court of Justice also ordered Israel to submit a report within one month on the steps taken to implement these temporary measures.
Escalation in Ukraine
Evidence collected by the UN Monitoring Mission on human rights in Ukraine, speak of the catastrophic impact on civilians of the recent escalation of fighting in the northeast of the country, where Russian forces have seized control of several villages. People who fled areas along the front line in the Kharkiv region say they were forced to huddle in cold, dark basements for several days, said Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. More than ten thousand people have become internally displaced.
Protection of humanitarian personnel
The Security Council adopted a resolution on the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel, calling on all parties to conflicts to fully comply with their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law. The resolution was supported by 14 countries, Russia abstained. In the document, Security Council members reminded countries of their obligations under the 1949 Geneva Conventions and called on all states that have not yet done so to consider ratifying the 1977 and 2005 Additional Protocols. Security Council members also emphasized the need to promote the safety and freedom of movement of humanitarian, UN and associated personnel.
Hurricane Season
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that warm ocean temperatures and the expected development of La Niña will lead to a major North Atlantic hurricane season in this year. This was reported from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The upcoming season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is expected to see above-normal activity, with 17 to 25 named storms, against an average of 14. Of those, 8 to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes. According to the WMO, above average hurricane activity has been observed for eight years in a row.