Much of Gaza lies in ruins after 15 months of bombing. Top News of the Day | Tuesday: Gaza, West Bank, US, Davos UN
Top news of the day in the UN and around the world: ceasefire in Gaza and large-scale aid operation, Israeli military action in the West Bank, US withdrawal from WHO and Paris Climate Agreement, UN Secretary General at the Davos Economic Forum.
Humanitarian situation in Gaza
A large-scale humanitarian aid operation, made possible by the ceasefire, is continuing in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. Priorities include food aid, restoring bakeries, medical care, repairing hospitals and water networks, and supporting family reunification. In the Jabaliya camp in northern Gaza, where the OCHA mission arrived today, residents are building temporary shelters amid the rubble, facing a critical shortage of water due to the destruction of all wells. More than 90 percent of the housing stock in the Strip has been damaged or destroyed.
Jenin Operation
The UN is concerned about the situation in the city of Jenin and the refugee camp of the same name in the West Bank, where an Israeli military operation was carried out today. According to preliminary data, airstrikes and military actions have killed several people and injured dozens, including doctors. The Jenin camp remains virtually cut off from basic services, including water and electricity.
US Withdrawal from WHO and Paris Agreement
The UN expressed regret over President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. A WHO representative said the organization plays a key role in the fight against global health threats. The United States, the WHO’s largest donor, provided 18 percent of its budget.
The World Meteorological Organization stressed the importance of the climate agreement, recalling that 2024 was the hottest year in history. The UN hopes that US city and state authorities will continue to play an important role in addressing environmental issues.
UN Secretary-General at the Forum in Davos
The UN Secretary-General arrived in Davos to take part in the annual World Economic Forum. In his speech tomorrow, Antonio Guterres will focus on two global threats – climate change and the uncontrolled development of artificial intelligence. He will also take part in a dialogue on digital and advanced technologies, during which the UN chief will emphasize the importance of ensuring equal access to technology and minimizing risks. In the evening he will speak at a dinner hosted by Global Investors in Sustainable Development.