© WFP Residents of flood-affected areas of Myanmar carry boxes of humanitarian aid. Top news of the day | Wednesday: West Bank, Sudan, humanitarian aid, ICC UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: the head of the UN called on Israel to abandon plans to build settlements in the West Bank, floods are aggravating the situation in Sudan, World Humanitarian Day is celebrated today, new US sanctions against the ICC.
Settlements in the West Bank
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is alarmed by reports of the creation of new illegal Israeli outposts, as well as the announcement of tenders for construction in the occupied West Bank. Of particular concern is the settlement project in Area E1, the implementation of which will lead to a severing of the territorial connection between the northern and southern parts of the West Bank. Guterres called on Israel to refrain from any further steps in this direction and to act in accordance with UN resolutions and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
Forced displacement in Sudan
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said escalating fighting in Sudan since the end of 2025 has forced at least 200,000 more people to flee their homes. Devastating seasonal floods only worsen the humanitarian catastrophe. The organization also warned that the delivery of aid to Sudan is complicated by disruptions in global supply chains associated with the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on ships in the Red Sea. However, over the past three days, IOM has delivered 1,750 tons of supplies to the affected areas.
Humanitarian Day
On August 19, the UN celebrates World Humanitarian Day. Since the beginning of 2026, 82 aid workers worldwide have already been killed, 97 more injured, and 39 abducted. Speaking via video link from Kyiv to reporters at UN headquarters in New York, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said humanitarian workers were increasingly coming under attack. He particularly noted the widespread use of drones in populated areas of Ukraine.
Sanctions against the ICC
The International Criminal Court said it regretted the US administration’s decision to impose sanctions against ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane and a senior lawyer in the Office Prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed serious concern about this decision, as well as the continued inclusion of other Court staff on sanctions lists. Although the United Nations and the International Criminal Court are separate institutions, the UN considers the ICC to be one of the key elements of the international criminal justice system.