© VPP/M. Le Lijour People continue to live in temporary shelters in Gaza City. Top news of the day | Wednesday: Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, II UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: civilians in Ukraine continue to suffer from fighting, humanitarian organizations warn of threats of expanding Israeli control in Gaza, the UN Human Rights Council will hold a special meeting on the situation in Sudan’s El Obeid, an independent scientific group on AI presented its first report.
Shelling of Ukraine
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), citing the Ukrainian authorities, reports that between June 26 and the morning of July 1, as a result of ongoing hostilities and shelling, civilians in Ukraine, including children, were killed and injured. The Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye and Kharkov regions were most seriously affected; attacks also continued in the Sumy, Kherson, Donetsk and Chernigov regions. Humanitarian agencies, with the support of the UN, are providing first aid to the victims, and also distributing materials for emergency housing repairs, drinking water and food.
The situation in Gaza
A humanitarian group coordinating relief efforts in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has warned that the continued expansion of Israeli-controlled areas in Gaza is increasing threats to civilians. Since the ceasefire began, the Israeli military has used lethal force to keep people out of areas it controls, according to humanitarian organizations. In addition, movement restrictions continue to cause delays and disruptions in the delivery of life-saving aid.
Situation in El Obeid
The United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR) continues to document the impact of drone strikes on the town of El Obeid in Sudan. According to reports, the attacks killed and injured civilians, damaged schools, a center for internally displaced persons, and damaged energy and transport infrastructure. The destruction further limits the population’s access to water, electricity and medical care. OHCHR reiterated its call on all parties to respect international law. On Friday, the UN Human Rights Council will hold a special meeting on the situation in El Obeid.
Report on AI
Introducing the first report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on governments not to delay the development of international rules in the field of AI. The UN chief emphasized that the report honestly speaks about both the enormous potential of artificial intelligence and the threats associated with it. The main conclusion, according to Guterres, is that the faster AI develops without common rules, the less power governments and society have to influence its future.