The UN World Court concluded that Israel must also protect relief and medical personnel, prohibit starvation as a method of war and cooperate with the United Nations, among other obligations.

In remarks issued by the UN Spokesperson, Mr. Guterres urged Israel to comply with its obligations in relation to the UN and other humanitarian partner activities and emphasized that all sides to the conflict must abide by international humanitarian and human rights law.

Mr. Guterres reiterated his appeal to establish a political path to end the occupation towards a two-State solution “with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security” within borders based on pre-1967 lines.

‘Crystal clear’ obligations

The UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the ICJ ruling made Israel’s legal duties “crystal clear”, starting with ensuring that people in Gaza and the wider Occupied Palestinian Territory receive essential supplies.

He urged Israel and all States to swiftly comply with the court’s findings and take concrete action to address the dire human rights and humanitarian crisis.

All parties to the conflict, he added, must prioritise saving lives and delivering aid, with these steps forming the foundation for peacebuilding and a lasting ceasefire grounded in human rights and international law.

UN nuclear agency: Ukraine’s power plant re-connected to the grid

Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia (ZNPP) was successfully re-connected to Ukraine’s electrical grid on Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported.

This comes just two weeks after the IAEA facilitated a process to restore external electricity to the plant, which had lost connection to the grid for the 10th time since the conflict broke out in 2022.

‘A rare, good day’

“Today is a rare, good day for nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and beyond, although the overall situation of course remains highly precarious,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

He added that despite the war, both sides agreed that it was “vital to restore off-site power and cooperated constructively with us to make that happen.”

The agency is monitoring the restoration and coordinating with the two sides to repair further damage.

Nigeria takes action on behalf of internally displaced

Nigeria has risen to the challenge and taken action to realise the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on internal displacement worldwide.

This week, leaders from various UN agencies commended the Nigerian Government for its leadership in addressing internal displacement and called for more international engagement to ensure a long-term solution.

Officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and UN Development Programme (UNDP) concluded a three-day joint mission to the country, where they met politicians, traditional leaders and representatives for the internally displaced in various regions.

The team called on international financial institutions and development partners to scale up assistance for self-reliance and economic recovery.

“Nigeria’s experience shows a clear shift is taking place from humanitarian aid to self-reliance, from short-term response to long-term recovery,” said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Raouf Mazou.

Unique commitment

“What makes Nigeria unique is its commitment to pairing public investment with private sector engagement.”

The officials noted that the country has benefited from UN resources, which provide assistance with state-level data, policy and coordination structures.

Shoko Noda, UNDP crisis bureau director, added that “Nigeria has the potential to build a comprehensive model in support of solutions, one that can inspire similar progress in other displacement contexts.”

Sudan stands at the epicentre of one of the world’s “most severe” humanitarian crises, according to the UN.

Over 30 million people now need urgent humanitarian assistance, among them 9.6 million displaced from their homes and nearly 15 million children caught in a struggle for daily survival.

“This is one of the worst protection crises we’ve seen in decades,” said Kelly Clements, Deputy High Commissioner at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

The agency, along with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme (WFP) have issued a joint humanitarian call to action, appealing for immediate international attention to address “the immense suffering and growing dangers” confronting millions across Sudan.

Return to rubble

As fighting eases in the capital Khartoum and other parts of Sudan, nearly 2.6 million people are returning to damaged homes, many without access to water, healthcare, or education.

“I met people coming back to a city still scarred by conflict, where homes are damaged and basic services are barely functioning. Their determination to rebuild is remarkable, but life remains incredibly fragile”, said Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General for Operations.

To make matters worse, the spread of diseases such as cholera, dengue, and malaria, combined with soaring malnutrition rates, is putting thousands at imminent risk of death without immediate assistance, according to IOM.

Over 260,000 civilians besieged

Meanwhile, over 260,000 civilians, including 130,000 children, remain trapped under siege in El Fasher, North Darfur, in what the UN agencies have called a “deeply concerning” situation.

For more than 16 months, families have been cut off from food, water, and healthcare. As health systems collapse, reports of killings, sexual violence, and forced recruitment into armed militias continue to rise.

“Entire communities are surviving in conditions that defy dignity”, warned Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director.

“Children are malnourished, exposed to violence, and at risk of dying from preventable diseases. Families are doing everything they can to survive, showing extraordinary resolve in the face of unimaginable hardship,” he added.

Challenges ahead

So far, the humanitarian response in Sudan has reached over 13.5 million this year.

Despite this, funding shortfalls are making it increasingly difficult for the UN and its partners to deliver the appropriate aid.

Totalling US$4.2 billion, the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for Sudan remains critically underfunded at only 25 per cent.

IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WFP remain committed to working together to provide life-saving aid and protection to children and families across Sudan.

“The humanitarian community is ready to respond, but it cannot do it alone —urgent global support is needed to save lives and help communities rebuild”, underscored the humanitarian agencies.