Damage from an airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Daily Top Stories | Thursday: Gaza, Ukraine, Yemen, developing countries UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: UN chief condemns the consequences of the Israeli airstrike on a school in Gaza, three humanitarian workers were killed in the Donetsk region, the UN rejected the Houthis’ accusations against the organization’s employees, South-South Cooperation Day.
Victims in Gaza
The UN Secretary-General condemned the deaths of at least 18 people, including children, women and six staff members of the UN Refugee Agency (UNRWA), in Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday on a school sheltering displaced people in Nuseirat. The incident brings the death toll of UNRWA workers in the Gaza conflict to 220. The UN chief said the continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza was unacceptable. Antonio Guterres called on all parties to the conflict not to use schools and shelters for military purposes.
Killing of humanitarian workers
The UN is outraged by the killing of three employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross as a result of shelling in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Two other employees of the organization were wounded. They were distributing humanitarian aid to residents of Donbas. Acting UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya stressed that, like all civilians, humanitarian workers must be protected from attacks. Also, in light of the shelling of a ship carrying grain in the Black Sea, the UN press service recalled that international law prohibits attacks on civilian ships and port infrastructure.
Detained in Yemen
Ansar Allah must immediately and unconditionally release all detained UN staff, diplomats, representatives of religious minorities, non-profit organizations and the private sector. This was stated by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg at a meeting of the UN Security Council. Since 2021, the Houthis have detained 17 UN staff members. The Organization emphasizes that the rights of those detained must be respected, and they must be able to contact their families and lawyers.
Global South
The UN celebrates South-South Cooperation Day on September 12. In his message, the Secretary-General said that the Day symbolizes “the transformative power of unity and solidarity among developing countries.” He stressed that cooperation between countries of the Global South does not diminish the responsibility of richer countries to help combat global inequality. The UN chief added that strong partnerships and cooperation are critical to building a better future for all.