© UNICEF/A. Filippov A firefighter on the balcony of a damaged building in Kiev, Ukraine. Top news of the day | Monday: Ukraine, West Bank, Iran, Venezuela UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the UN Security Council met for a meeting on Ukraine, Israel’s legalization of outposts in the West Bank will violate international law, the World Food Program will continue to support refugees in Iran, the UN mission called on Venezuela to abandon the decision to withdraw from the ICC.
Security Council meeting on Ukraine
Since July 9, intensified air attacks by the Russian Federation have reportedly killed more than 170 Ukrainian civilians and injured more than a thousand more. The representative of the UN Department of Political Affairs, Kayeko Goto, announced this, speaking at a meeting of the Security Council convened at the request of Ukraine. Kyiv, she noted, suffers from constant shelling, and there is also information about daily attacks in front-line areas. Goto added that Russian authorities are reporting an increase in the number of civilian casualties after attacks on infrastructure on Russian territory.
Settlements in the West Bank
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned that Israeli authorities have announced a series of measures in response to the recent attacks. In particular, there are reports of an acceleration in the process of legalizing farming outposts in the occupied West Bank and the creation of new such outposts. The press secretary of the UN chief announced this today. According to Guterres, settlement activity is a violation of international law and remains one of the main obstacles to realizing a two-state solution and achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. funding in the amount of 3.08 million euros, which will continue to support refugees in Iran and Iranians affected by the conflict throughout the year. The country hosts a significant number of refugees, most of whom come from Afghanistan. With EU support, the UN agency will provide food and cash payments to more than 35 thousand of the most vulnerable refugees, as well as 17 thousand Iranians affected by the conflict.
Venezuela and the ICC
UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela expressed deep concern at the announcement by the country’s authorities of its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Experts noted that the current administration has yet to take meaningful steps to advance investigations into human rights violations and international crimes documented over more than a decade. In their opinion, the decision to withdraw from the ICC is aimed at evading responsibility at the international level. The mission called on the Venezuelan authorities to reconsider their decision.