Ceasefire in Lebanon gives people hope of returning to their homes. Top news of the day | Thursday: Ukraine, plane crash, Lebanon, Afghanistan UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: attacks on the energy system of Ukraine, the head of the UN expressed condolences in connection with the plane crash in Kazakhstan, UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, at least 20 children were killed as a result of strikes in Afghanistan.
Attacks on Ukraine
Attacks in Kharkiv have left hundreds of thousands of families without electricity and heating, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported today. Humanitarian organizations are providing victims with hot meals and materials to repair their homes. Christmas was also marred by reports of attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson regions of Ukraine, in which two children were injured and 14 educational and one medical facility were damaged, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said. Earlier, UN chief Matthias Schmale expressed concern about the situation of people with disabilities in the context of hostilities.
Plane crash in Kazakhstan
The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the news of the plane crash in western Kazakhstan. This statement was made on behalf of the UN chief by his press service. The plane crash claimed many lives, including the lives of citizens of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian Federation, the statement said. António Guterres expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy and full recovery to all those injured in this tragedy. The UN chief expressed support for all countries affected by the disaster.
The situation in southern Lebanon
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that any actions that could violate the fragile cessation of hostilities must stop. Israel and Lebanon reiterated their commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1701, and both sides are encouraged to use the newly established Mechanism to resolve outstanding issues. The UN mission reiterated its call for the timely withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces to southern Lebanon. The peacekeepers will continue to carry out their tasks, including monitoring all violations of resolution 1701.
Casualties in Afghanistan
UNICEF is deeply saddened by reports that at least 20 children have been killed in attacks in eastern Afghanistan, said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. He expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and reminded that children should never be targeted. Pakistani forces carried out air strikes targeting Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan late on Tuesday, media reported. The Afghan interim government said civilians were targeted, journalists said.