J. Selemin People line up in Cali, Colombia to donate emergency supplies for earthquake victims. Top news of the day | Thursday: Ukraine, Colombia, Syria, West Bank UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the number of casualties among Ukrainian civilians in July was the highest since March 2022, five million dollars were allocated to support Colombia after the earthquake, Barham Salih completed his visit to Syria, the siege of Palestinian houses in the West Bank by settlers is a new round of escalation.
Victims among Ukrainians
In July 2026, the number of civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine reached the highest monthly figure since March 2022. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in the country reported this today. According to data confirmed by the mission, at least 437 Ukrainian civilians were killed in July and another 2,610 were injured. This is 30 percent more than the previous month and 70 percent more than July 2025. The actual number of victims is likely higher. The monitoring mission continues to verify incoming information.
Effects of the earthquake in Colombia
UN Deputy Humanitarian Affairs Director Tom Fletcher has committed $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support the response in Colombia following the devastating earthquake. The UN and its partners continue to coordinate closely with national authorities. Expert teams are assessing needs in affected areas. Humanitarian agencies have begun distributing hygiene products and food to shelter centers for people experiencing homelessness, as well as sending medical and other specialists to provide assistance.
Syrian Refugees
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih today completed a week-long visit to Syria. He stressed that the UN is working closely with the Syrian authorities and other partners to help those in need and create decent conditions for the return of refugees. Salih held meetings with officials and also visited Idlib and Aleppo, where he met with internally displaced persons and local residents. Almost four million Syrian refugees remain in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. The High Commissioner called on the international community to expand support for the Syrians.
Siege of Palestinian homes
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on Israeli authorities on Thursday to help Palestinian families in the West Bank who have been denied access by settlers for days leave the house. The United States is reportedly trying to help end the siege that began on Sunday. The OHCHR statement said settlers may have cut off Palestinian families’ electricity and water supplies. The Office noted that these actions, “which are supported or tolerated by Israel as the occupying power,” are aimed at displacing Palestinians from their land.