Since the beginning of the year, Rwanda-backed M23 fighters have swept across eastern DRC, taking key cities including Goma and Bukavu. The violence has displaced more than one million people in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
Speaking from the village of Sake in North Kivu, UNDP Resident Representative Damien Mama described meeting a woman whose house had been destroyed after she fled the advancing fighters in January.
“You know, with five children, you can imagine what this represents,” Mr. Mama said. “She was telling me that [her family] were given food and temporary shelter; but what she needs is to go back to her farm to continue farming, to continue her activities, and also have her home rebuilt.”
All those newly displaced by the M23 rebel advance are in addition to the five million people already living in displacement camps in eastern DRC.
Health workers have repeatedly warned that the crowded and unsanitary conditions provide ideal conditions for the spread of diseases including mpox, cholera and measles.
Given the scale of need it is urgent that small businesses get the help they need to get up and running again “providing income-generating activities for the women and the youth creating jobs”, the UNDP official insisted.
“The economy has suffered a lot,” he explained. “The banks have closed, businesses have been destroyed, and many are now operating under 30 per cent of their capacity, which is a major blow to their businesses.”
Support for women and girls
At the same time, the UN agency remains committed to helping the many women and girls impacted by alarming levels of sexual violence.
This echoes an alert issued last month by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), that during the most intense phase of this year’s conflict, a child was raped every half an hour.
In the next five months, UNDP intends to support the creation of 1,000 jobs and restore basic infrastructure, benefiting about 15,000 people.
To do this, the UN agency will need $25 million.
“We have so far secured $14 million thanks to [South] Korea, Canada, UK as well as Sweden; and our call will be to encourage other countries and donors to provide us with [the] $11 million gap.”
The UN is participating alongside more than 150 countries and organizations during the World Rally, which carries the prospective theme: Design future society for our lives.
The United Nations pavilion is divided into four zones; A calendar in the first field explains the history of the UN and its agencies, while the second-the so-called Orb room-describes the range of diverse work of the organization through a series of everyday objects displayed on the walls.
An immersive video in the third field offers an overview of what a future world could look like if the development takes place in a sustainable way, while the fourth is a rotary exhibition which highlights specific agencies.
Here is what some visitors to the United Nations pavilion have thought of their experience.
Kaneko Sayaka (left) and his sister have exhibitions promoting the SDGs.
Kaneko Sayaka: I liked the video because I felt that I was in a forest surrounded by trees and animals. It showed me that environmental protection is very important.
Mikako Takeuchi: I was sucked in the immersive experience of the video presentation. He was really engaging and, although he explained the problems that the world faces, he also presented the solutions and gave hope.
Phil Malone (left) and his companion visit the United Nations pavilion.
Phil Malone: The message of immersive video on sustainability and rights and responsibilities of people towards the environment was clear and easily understandable by the young and older public.
It is difficult to explain the Sustainable development objectives (SDD) In a short video, although I think that Japanese public generally knows the goals. SDGs are highlighted by Japan institutions, and I have never seen this level of promotion in certain African countries where I worked for a development organization focused on agriculture.
SDGs are frequently promoted by the private sector in Japan, in this case in Tokyo. the capital.
Tomoyuki Kadokura: I learned a lot about the ODDs of the interactive quiz while I was lining up to enter the pavilion. In Japan, we focus more on the objectives that focus on the environment and sustainable consumption, so I wanted to know more about other objectives, for example poverty and human rights, which do not get much attention here.
I was also surprised by the number of United Nations agencies working on the SDGs.
Agaka Sato (left) and Takato Ishida explore the Orb room in the United Nations pavilion.
Takato Ishida: At school, we learn the SDGs, so many Japanese are interested in objectives, but I did not know that progress towards them was so slow in many regions of the world.
I appreciated the special projects section that highlighted the role UN volunteers Play around the world to support sustainable development.
Agaka Sato: I did not know that there were so many different United Nations agencies and I learned a lot about them thanks to the interactive display of objects in the Orb room.
The touch screen which explains the role of these agencies is linked to objects lining the wall of the room. I think it’s fun for young children to make the link between objects such as phones, firearms and health kits and UN work.
Masako Yukita: The United Nations pavilion made me think about the changes that people have to make to contribute to the SDGs and world peace. When I come home, I will think about what I can do more as an individual.
The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Kananaskis, Alberta (Canada) to take part in the G7 summit from 15 to 17 June 2025. Hosted by Canada as the rotating G7 presidency, the Summit will bring together the leaders of the seven G7 countries, as well as the European Union and other invited countries to discuss pressing global issues, including international peace and security, the global economic outlook and energy security.
The Council has erased its initial schedule to fight against the rapidly evolving crisis, also hearing the chief of the international nuclear surveillance dog supported by unrofit, who warned against serious risks for regional stability and nuclear security.
Night from Thursday to Friday, Israeli military strikes targeted nuclear installations across Iranincluding the Natanz enrichment site. Media relationships indicate that Hossein Salami, the head of the body of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), as well as several eminent nuclear scientists, were one of the people killed.
Strikes have also caused significant damage, including dozens of civilian victims. The region’s airspace has been widely closed and the security forces are on a high alert.
Additional Israeli strikes were reported on Friday evening to local time on Friday evening as well as ballistic missile launches by Iran which would have struck parties of Israel, including Aviv.
Rosemary Dicarlo, under-secretary general of the United Nations for political affairs, told ambassadors that the repercussions of the attacks are already reflected.
“I reaffirm the Secretary general Condemnation of any military climbing in the Middle East“She said, urging both Israel and Iran to show maximum restraint and”Avoid at all costs a descent into a deeper and wider regional conflict».
She also noted that military climbing came at a time when “certain important diplomatic developments” took place, in particular the planned takeover of the American-Iranian talks to Oman this weekend. The latest reports indicate that Iran will no longer witness it.
Ms. Dicarlo urged the parties to suspend the diplomatic course.
“” A peaceful resolution through negotiations remains the best way to ensure the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program“She said.
“We must at all costs avoid an increasing conflagration which would have enormous global consequences.”
The nuclear surveillance dog head urges the protection of atomic sites
Briefing of the Council, Rafael Grossi, Managing Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (Aiea) said his agency was in constant contact with the Iranian nuclear regulatory authority to assess the state of affected installations and determine the larger impacts on nuclear safety and security.
Rafael Grossi (on the screen), managing director of the IAEA, briefs of the Security Council.
He stressed that nuclear sites should never be targeted – in no case.
“” Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear security, nuclear security and guarantees, as well as regional and international peace and security“Said Mr. Grossi.
He is ready to go to the region as soon as possible, he added, to assess the situation and support the efforts of security, security and non-proliferation in Iran.
“It is clear that the only lasting path to follow for Iran, for Israel, the whole region and the international community is one based on dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability and cooperation. “”
Mr. Grossi concluded by offering the IAEA as a neutral platform where “the facts prevail over rhetoric” and where technical commitment replaces climbing.
“I reaffirm my personal will and the agency to facilitate dialogue and support efforts that promote transparency, security and peaceful resolution of nuclear problems in Iran.”
Broadcast of the Security Council meeting.
Russia “strongly condemns” Israeli actions
Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia warned that Israel’s actions in the Middle East “push the region to a large-scale nuclear disaster”.
“This completely uninsured attack, regardless of what Israel says on the contrary, is a blatant violation of the Charter of the United Nations And international law, “he said, expressing the” strong condemnation “of Russia of strikes.
He accused the “Western members” of the 2015 Iranian nuclear agreement – officially known as Complete full action plan (JCPOA) – To contribute to the current crisis through their policies towards Iran and its nuclear program.
“They did everything to fuel climbing and essentially prompted it,” he told ambassadors.
Mr. Nebenzia concluded by exhorting renewed diplomatic efforts. “Once again, the settlement of problems related to the Iranian nuclear program is only possible if a peaceful, political and diplomatic journey is followed,” he said.
“Iran has the right to defend itself”: Pakistan
Pakistan Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has told the Council that Israel’s “blatant provocations” constitute a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
“Iran has the right to defend itself under article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations,” he said, alleging that the actions of Israel in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen “reflect a continuous model of unilateral militarism”.
“The fact that these attacks on Iran have occurred in the midst of a negotiation process aimed at finding a peaceful diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue makes it even more repugnant and against international standards,” he added.
Mr. Ahmad urged all parties to avoid additional escalation and to prioritize the dialogue. He also called the Security advice “Keep the attacker responsible for his actions. This council must refuse Israel the free hand and the impunity with which it continues to operate in defiance of international law and international opinion. “
Iran should not acquire nuclear weapons: United States
Speaking for the United States, McCoy Pitt, a senior State Department official, accused Iran of having launched “uninsured, direct and proxy attacks” against Israeli civilians and propagation of terrorism, instability and human suffering in the region.
“As President Trump said on several occasions, this dangerous regime cannot be authorized to have nuclear weapons,” he said.
Mr. Pitt noted that the United States had been informed of Israeli strikes in advance but was not militarily involved.
“Our absolute and most important priority is the protection of citizens, staff and American forces in the region,” he said.
He also declared that the United States would continue to seek a diplomatic resolution which guarantees that Iran never acquired a nuclear weapon or will be a threat to instability in the Middle East.
“Iran’s management will be wise to negotiate for the moment,” he said.
Iran calls for responsibility
The Iranian ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the Security Council that he was addressing the organization on behalf of his government and his people “with the greatest urgency and the serious alarm”.
“We condemn the barbaric and criminal attack strongly and unequivocally, a series of targeted assassinations against senior military officials, nuclear scientists and innocent civilians,” he said.
“These deliberate and systematic murders were not only illegal and inhuman, a frightening demonstration of calculated aggression. These atrocities constitute a clear act of state terrorism and the blatant violation of international law, “he added.
He said that Israel’s attacks on protected nuclear installations have challenged not only the fundamental principles of international law, but also “common conscience”, warning that damage to these sites could release catastrophic radiological consequences in the region and beyond.
“Only a regime devoid of humanity and responsibility would endanger millions of lives in the pursuit of its destructive ambitions,” said Iravani.
“Those who support this regime, with the United States at the forefront, must understand that they are accomplices. By helping and allowing these crimes, they share the full responsibility of the consequences. ”
Israel defends “the act of national preservation”
Israeli ambassador Danny Danon began his remarks by reminding members of the Security Council that – while they were talking – Iranian ballistic missiles struck Israeli cities and injured civilians.
He said that the strikes of Israel were preventive and carried out with “the most advanced precision, goal and intelligence”.
The mission, he added, was clear, “dismantling the nuclear program of Iran, eliminating the architects of its terror and its aggression and neutralizing the capacity of the regime to follow its repeated public promise to destroy the state of Israel”.
Mr. Danon accused Iran of taking measures towards the construction of a nuclear arsenal. He also criticized the international community for omitting to act and reinstate in Tehran.
“Israel did not act recklessly-we have waited,” he said.
“It was an act of national preservation. It was the one we undertook alone, not because we wanted it, but because we were not left. ”
The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Kananaskis, Alberta (Canada) to take part in the G7 summit from 15 to 17 June 2025. Hosted by Canada as the rotating G7 presidency, the Summit will bring together the leaders of the seven G7 countries, as well as the European Union and other […]
A decade ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the rules of Nelson Mandela-a set of 122 directives establishing minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, inspired by one of the most influential former political prisoners in the world-the South African Civil Rights icon, Nelson Mandela.
These rules aim to guarantee security, security and respect for human dignity, offering clear benchmarks for prison personnel.
Despite this, penitentiary systems around the world continue to face deeply rooted challenges. The General Assembly met on Friday to discuss the way of better protecting companies against crime by focusing on rehabilitation and preparing prisoners for life after prison.
“Prison cells are overflowing,” said Ghada Waly, executive director of the United Nations Drugs and Crime (Unodc), noting that 11.5 million people are currently imprisoned worldwide.
“” Overcrowding deprives people of their most fundamental rights, including access to health care, drinking water and sanitation“She warned. However, the penitentiary services remain underfunded, sub-priorized and undervalued.
These systemic failures not only put detainees and staff, but also weaken efforts to reintegrate former prisoners – posing risks for the community in the broad sense, added President of the General Assembly Phillémon Yang.
Women behind bars
The number of women in prison has increased by 57% in the past 20 years, almost the rate of men.
Most systems are not equipped to meet their specific needs. “” It’s not sure. And it’s not human“Said Ms. Waly.
Women in detention are particularly vulnerable, faced with greater risks of sexual violence, limited access to reproductive health care and the separation of their children.
Time for daring reform
“” We need a daring vision-the one that goes beyond bricks and bars to focus on people and their potential“Said Ms. Waly, urging governments to reinvent how prisons are managed.
Managed in responsibility, prisons can support public security, justice and the rule of law. But today’s penitentiary environments are often dangerous and counterproductive.
UN officials stressed that rehabilitation should be at the heart of reforms, including support systems that reduce the probability of recurrence and help former prisoners to reintegrate into society.
“The real measure of justice is not the way we punish,” concluded Mr. Yang, “but how we protect, rehabilitate and build a better future for everyone, everywhere. »»
A decade ago, the UN General Assembly adopted the Nelson Mandela Rules — a set of 122 guidelines setting minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, inspired by one of the world’s most influential former political prisoners – the South African civil rights icon, Nelson Mandela.
These rules aim to ensure safety, security and respect for human dignity, offering clear benchmarks for prison staff.
Despite this, prison systems worldwide continue to face deep-rooted challenges. The General Assembly convened on Friday to discuss how to better protect societies from crime by focusing on rehabilitation and preparing inmates for life after prison.
“Prison cells are overflowing,” said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), noting that 11.5 million people are currently imprisoned globally.
“Overcrowding deprives people of their most basic rights, including access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation,” she warned. Yet prison services remain underfunded, under-prioritised and undervalued.
These systemic failures not only endanger inmates and staff but also weaken efforts to reintegrate former prisoners — posing risks for the wider community, added General Assembly President Philémon Yang.
Women behind bars
The number of women in prison has increased by 57 per cent over the past 20 years — nearly triple the rate of men.
Most systems are not equipped to meet their specific needs. “This is not safe. And this is not humane,” said Ms Waly.
Women in detention are especially vulnerable, facing greater risks of sexual violence, limited access to reproductive healthcare and separation from their children.
Time for bold reform
“We need a bold vision — one that goes beyond bricks and bars to focus on people and their potential,” said Ms Waly, urging governments to reimagine how prisons are managed.
Handled responsibly, prisons can support public safety, justice and the rule of law. But today’s prison environments often remain dangerous and counterproductive.
UN officials stressed that rehabilitation must be at the heart of reforms, including support systems that reduce the likelihood of reoffending and help former prisoners reintegrate into society.
“The true measure of justice is not how we punish,” Mr Yang concluded, “but how we protect, rehabilitate, and build a better future for everyone, everywhere.”
“We are closing this historic week not only with hope, but with a concrete commitment, a clear direction and an undeniable impulse,” said Li Junhua, under-secretary general of the United Nations for economic and social affairs and the secretary general of the summit.
Co-organized by France and Costa Rica, the five-day event brought 15,000 participants, including more than 60 heads of state and government, on the Mediterranean coast of France.
With more than 450 secondary events and nearly 100,000 visitors, the rally, nicknamed UNOC3built on the momentum of the previous ocean peaks in new York (2017) and Lisbon (2022). He resulted in a shared call to extend maritime protection, brake pollution, regulate the high seas and release the financing of vulnerable coastal and island nations.
Li Junhua, United Nations Subsecrétaire General for Economic and Social Affairs and Secretary General of UNOC3, during the closing press conference in Nice.
The result of the conference, known as Beautiful ocean action planis a two -part executive which includes a political declaration and more than 800 voluntary commitments by governments, scientists, United Nations agencies and civil society since the previous conference.
“These range from young people to ecosystem literacy in high seas, capacity building in science and innovation and undertakes to ratify intergovernmental treaties,” said Mr. LI.
The promises revealed this week reflected the extent of the ocean crisis. The European Commission announced an investment of 1 billion euros To support the conservation of the oceans, science and sustainable fishing, while French Polynesia is committed to creating the largest protected marine zone in the worldEnclosing its entire exclusive economic zone – around five million square kilometers.
Germany has launched a Program of 100 million euros to remove underwater ammunition Baltic and northern seas. Furthermore, New Zealand has hired $ 52 million to strengthen ocean governance in the Pacific, and Spain has announced five new protected marine areas.
A coalition of 37 countries led by Panama and Canada launched the High ambition coalition for a calm ocean To combat underwater pollution. Meanwhile, Indonesia and the World Bank have introduced an “coral obligation” to help finance the conservation of reefs in the country.
“The waves of change have been formed,” said Mr. Li. “It is now our collective responsibility to propel them forward – for our people, our planet and future generations.”
Olivier Poivre d’Arvor (right), special envoy of France for the conference, during the closing press conference of UNOC3, in Nice.
A diplomatic scene
The summit opened on Monday with Austere warnings. “We do not treat the ocean as what it is – the ultimate global commons,” said the UN Secretary General António GuterresAlongside the presidents of France and the Costa Rica, Emmanuel Macron and Rodrigo Chaves Robles, who called for a renewed multilateralism anchored in science.
Friday, France’s special envoy for the conference, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, recalled the challenges: “We wanted Nice … to take a chance on a transformer change. I think we have advanced, but we can’t go back. »»
One of the main objectives of the conference was to accelerate progress High seas treaty – known as the BBNJ agreement – Adopted in 2023 to protect marine life in international waters. Sixty ratifications are necessary for it to come into force. During last week, 19 countries ratified the agreement, bringing the total number as for Friday, 50.
“This is an important victory,” said Poivre d’Arvor. “It is very difficult to work on the ocean right now when the United States is so little involved.”
The French envoy alluded to the absence of a senior American delegation, as well as to a recent decree of President Donald Trump, advancing deep exploitation. “The abyss is not for sale,” he said, echoing the remarks made earlier in the week by President Macron.
However, Mr. Poivre d’Arvor underlined the wide agreement concluded at the top. “A country can be missing,” he said. “But 92% of” co -owners “were present today in Nice.”
His counterpart, Arnoldo André-Tinoco, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, urged other nations to accelerate the financing of ocean protection. “Each commitment must be held responsible,” he said during the closing meeting of the conference.
Peter Thomson, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for the Ocean, talks to the news of the UN.
Momentum – and a test
For Peter Thomson, the UN special envoy for the ocean, Nice marked a turning point. “This is not so much what is happening at the conference, that’s what happens later,” he said UN Newsrecalling the first days of ocean plea during the target of sustainable development 14 (SDG14), On life underwater, was established for the first time.
“From the desert in which we were in 2015 … where we are now, where you see this incredible commitment.”
For the future, attention already turns to the fourth conference of the United Nations Ocean, planned to be co-organized by Chile and South Korea in 2028.
“We will again see a big push up here,” predicted Mr. Thomson. He expressed hope that the main global agreements – including the BBNJ treaty, the subsidy agreement for WTO peaches and the future world plastics treaty – will all be ratified and implemented by then.
The 2028 summit will also mark a calculation moment, while SDG 14 approaches its 2030 objective.
“What are we doing when SDG 14 matures in 2030?” Mr. Thomson asked. “Obviously, this must be raised from ambition. It must be stronger. He stressed that if SDG14 had aimed to protect 10% of the ocean by 2020 – a target that the world has not reached – the new reference is 30% by 2030.
Wearing a shell collar offered by the Marshall Islands, the Native of Fiji congratulated the small island nations and the Atoll collectives for having fixed ambitious marine protections.
“If small countries can make great measures like that, why can’t the big countries follow suit?” He said.
He also praised the 2,000 scientists who met for the One Ocean Science Congress before the summit. “What a great way to manage things,” he said.
A unit demonstration
Despite the festive tone, the tensions lingered. Small island in development of states pushed to a stronger language Loss and damage -The damage inflicted by climate change that goes beyond what people can adapt. “You cannot have an ocean declaration without SMSN,” warned a delegate earlier this week.
Others, including President Chaves, from Costa Rica, called for a moratorium on the exploitation of the deep sea in international waters until science can assess risks – a step not included in the final declaration.
However, the political declaration adopted in Nice, entitled Our ocean, our future: United for urgent actionreaffirms the objective of protecting 30% of the ocean and the land by 2030, while supporting world executives as the Kunming-Montreal biodiversity agreement (Adopted in 2022, hiring countries to stop and reverse the loss of nature by 2030 through ambitious conservation targets and sustainable biodiversity management) and the UN International Maritime OrganizationClimatic objectives (IMO).
“The real test,” said Mr. Li, “is not what we said here in Nice – but what we do next. »»
While the sun plunged behind the Promenade des Anglais and the final plenary of the adjourned conference, the sea – old, vital and in danger – was silent of a fragile but shared promise.
The humanitarian network is currently at a standstill because the internet shut down earlier this week after the last fibre cable route serving central and southern areas was cut during heavy fighting.
“As the outage continues, partners are unable to communicate or coordinate response activities, and people in need remain isolated and without the information they need to access life-saving support and emergency services,” UN aid coordination office OCHA said in an update.
Restoring connectivity is urgent. OCHA said the Israeli military recently posted a warning on social media where areas marked in red on a map are considered dangerous combat zones, calling on people to stay away from them.
Although these areas apparently cover most of the Gaza Strip’s territory, most people have no way to access the announcement.
Meanwhile, partners working on telecommunications continue efforts to coordinate urgent repairs of the fibre optic cable routes in Gaza, including those that were previously damaged.
However, since April, Israeli authorities have denied more than 20 requests to carry out this work.
“It is critical that repair of the lines is enabled immediately,” OCHA said.
Humanitarian missions denied
The agency further reported that the Israeli authorities continue to deny many humanitarian movements aimed at providing support to Gaza’s population, which numbers over two million.
On Thursday, they rejected eight out of 18 UN attempts to coordinate such movements, including efforts to retrieve wheat flour and fuel supplies.
Four other missions were unable to be accomplished, either because of impediments or because they had to be cancelled for security or logistical reasons.
The remaining six missions, which included the movement of staff, were successful.
‘Recipe for chaos’
Conditions continue to deteriorate in Gaza after 20 months of war followed by a total blockade of aid and commercial goods which began on 2 March.
People are crammed in shelters, or living in tents, and lack basic essentials. For example, the accumulation of solid waste is severely impacting health and environmental conditions, the UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWAsaid on Friday.
Israel temporarily lifted the ban in mid-May, and the UN was able to bring in small amounts of key aid items such as flour and medicines – though far from enough to prevent starvation from impacting the population.
Since late May, the UN and partners have been sidelined as a new aid distribution model began operations.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is backed by Israel and the United States, uses private military contractors, according to media reports. More than 200 people have been killed, and thousands more injured by gunfire near its hubs.
The mechanism is “a recipe for chaos,” UNRWA tweeted on Friday, echoing the words of its chief Philippe Lazzarini.
“It is weaponising aid and resulting in fear, discrimination, and growing desperation,” the agency said.
“It is time to lift the siege and let the UN, including UNRWA, do the work. Aid must be delivered safely and at scale.”
‘Hunger must never be met by bullets’
The UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator Tom Fletcher underscored the need to act now in a statement issued late on Thursday.
“Hunger must never be met with bullets,” he said. “Humanitarians must be allowed to do their work. Lifesaving aid must reach people in need, in line with humanitarian principles.”
Mr. Fletcher said attacks against civilians in Gaza “are unacceptable”, which includes the killing and injury of hungry people seeking food and those delivering aid.
He said UN humanitarian convoys have been intercepted by armed Palestinian gangs, endangering staff and drivers.
“Civilians in desperate need of the food we’re able to bring in, have not been spared; some have been shot by Israeli forces, and others crushed by trucks or stabbed while trying to retrieve food,” he added.
UN Relief Chief Tom Fletcher talks to a child at an UNRWA shelter during a visit to Gaza in February.
Let humanitarians work
He also mentioned incidents “concentrated around militarized distribution centres, where starving people tell us that Israeli forces opened fire on them.”
“Hospitals report that they have received 245 fatalities and over 2,150 injuries from these areas over the past two weeks,” he said.
Furthermore, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said on Thursday that Palestinians involved in their distribution were killed, injured, and captured by Hamas.
“Without immediate and massively scaled-up access to the basic means of survival, we risk a descent into famine, further chaos, and the loss of more lives,” the UN relief chief warned.
“We stand ready, as we have repeatedly emphasized, to deliver life-saving aid at scale,” he said. “Let us do our work.”
