In the photo: Golan Heights (archive). Main news of the day | Friday: Lebanon, Security Council, General Assembly, UN UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the worsening situation in Lebanon, the meeting of the Security Council on the Middle East, statements by the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Palestine at the General Assembly, repression for cooperation with the UN.
The worsening situation in Lebanon
A sharp escalation in fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah group has raised concerns that the situation will only get worse, UN aid workers said on Friday. “We are witnessing the most dangerous period in Lebanon in a generation, and many fear this is only the beginning,” said Imran Riza, the country’s humanitarian coordinator. Speaking from Beirut, Riza said that for almost a year, Lebanese people, particularly in the south, have been living in fear because of the war in Gaza. Thousands continue to flee areas previously untouched by Israeli attacks on Hezbollah infrastructure. The bombings killed at least 700 people, injured thousands and forced about 120,000 to flee their homes.
Security Council meeting on the Middle East
The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal, and the General Assembly has demanded that the country comply with the ruling, the UN Secretary-General recalled in his speech on Friday at a Security Council meeting devoted to the situation in Gaza. Antonio Guterres called for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and a lasting peace. Today, the Secretary-General noted, there is a great risk that violence will engulf the entire region and “break out into a full-scale conflagration with unimaginable consequences.”
Statements by the Israeli and Palestinian Prime Ministers at the General Assembly
Speaking at the General Assembly on Friday, the Israeli Prime Minister said his country plans to “completely defeat Hamas” because otherwise “the terrorists will regroup and start attacking again.” “Israel will win this battle,” said Benjamin Netanyahu. Recall that the day before, on Thursday, the President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, speaking in the General Assembly hall, said that the Palestinian people will not leave the “land of their ancestors.”
Repression for cooperation with the UN
Violations of fundamental rights and freedoms around the world, coupled with restrictive legal frameworks and increased surveillance, continue to narrow the space for civil society activity and increase people’s fear of reprisals. This is stated in a UN report published on Friday. “Complex global challenges to peace and security, development and human rights affect the way individuals and groups engage with the United Nations,” said Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris, presenting the annual report on intimidation and reprisals for cooperating with the UN.