Israeli airstrikes in Gaza kill 6 UN staffers, 28 others

By Deepak Arora

GAZA, Sept 12: Six staff members with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, were killed in Gaza on Wednesday when two Israeli airstrikes hit a school-turned-shelter and its surroundings. At least 28 others, including women and children, were also killed.

“This is the highest death toll among our staff in a single incident,” UNRWA said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

The Israeli airstrike targetted a UN school in the Nuseirat refugee camp, which was sheltering nearly 12,000 displaced Palestinians. This marked the fifth time that it had been hit since the conflict began 11 months ago.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres deplored the bloodshed. “What's happening in Gaza is totally unacceptable,” he wrote on X. “These dramatic violations of international humanitarian law need to stop now,” he added.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini deplored the “endless and senseless killing, day after day” in Gaza. Writing on X, he said at least 220 agency staff have lost their lives since the war began.

“Humanitarian staff, premises and operations have been blatantly and unabatedly disregarded since the beginning of the war,” he said, warning that “the longer impunity prevails, the more international humanitarian law and the Geneva conventions will become irrelevant.”

In a statement on Wednesday, the Israeli army stated that it conducted a strike on a command and control center in Nuseirat in central Gaza, which it said was operated by Palestinian militant faction Hamas. The Israeli military has stated that its operations aim to eliminate Hamas militants, claiming that the school was being used as a base for planning attacks.

In his noon briefing on Wednesday, spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric said the UN said the site had been previously deconflicted with the Israeli forces. UNRWA called on all parties to the conflict to never use schools or the areas around them for military or fighting purposes.

UNGA's 79th Session Begins; President Philemon Yang Assumes Office

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 10: The 79th session of the UN General Assembly began on Tuesday with Dennis Francis, president of the 78th General Assembly, handing over the gavel to his successor, Philemon Yang.

Yang, Cameroon’s candidate, who was elected as president of the 79th General Assembly in June, took the oath and assumed office.

He said peace and security and sustaibale economic growth will continue to be “of paramount importance” during his presidency.

"I will urge the assembly to intensify its determination, to prioritize the resolution of conflicts, including the intractable ones in the Gaza Strip, Haiti and Ukraine," he said, adding that "human rights will remain at the core of our General Assembly."

In his address to the General Assembly, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that last year was very "tumultuous" with poverty, inequality and injustice as well as conflict and violence persisting.

Guterres also recalled that last year was "the hottest" year on record, saying "this session also closes at a time of growing hope and inspiration in what we can achieve if we work as one."

He emphasized that many tasks lie ahead for member states in the 79th session.

"This is the place where solutions are made. And we need solutions across the board.

"In confronting the challenges before us, the United Nations General Assembly remains an indispensable tool and a vital pathway towards a peaceful and just future for all people," he added.

Francis said that serving in his role as president of the 78th session of the General Assembly had been the "honor and privilege of a lifetime."

He stressed that he adhered to the principles of the UN Charter throughout his term.

He said that due to various circumstances, he was unable to meet with Israelis and Palestinians on the ground but closely followed developments and raised the issue at every meeting.

Francis further expressed his heartfelt wish that the ongoing efforts would lead to a cease-fire and a long-term political solution.

Emphasizing that manmade suffering had increased globally, with Gaza being one of the most visible examples, Francis said: "Over the course of last year, we have witnessed a scale of death and destruction not seen in decades."

Yang will preside at the upcoming gathering of world leaders at the General Assembly, first at the Summit of the Future on September 22 and 23 called by the secretary-general to spur multilateral action on global issues — and reform global institutions founded after World War II including the United Nations.

Immediately after the summit ends, world leaders will hold their annual global meeting from September 24 to 30, with public speeches in the assembly and lots of private meetings where a lot of the world’s business often gets done.

UN Special Coordinator calls for release of all hostages and humanitarian ceasefire

By Deepak Arora

JERUSALEM, Sept 2: While condemning the tragic killing of six hostages in Gaza by Palestinian armed groups, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, has reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and urged all sides to reach an agreement that will bring about an immediate release of all hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire.

Tor Wennesland today returned to Gaza and witnessed firsthand the catastrophic impact of the hostilities, according to a statement released by Murad Bakri, Strategic Communications & Public Information Officer, Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).

"The scale of destruction is immense, the humanitarian needs are colossal and soaring, and civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict. I unequivocally condemn the horrifying civilian death toll in Gaza," he said.

During his visit, he met with the heads of UN agencies and its dedicated staff working tirelessly in extremely challenging conditions. "Their commitment and bravery in providing critical support to those in need is truly commendable."

Tor Wennesland said he also had the opportunity to visit a Polio vaccination center. "Its reemergence represents yet another threat to the children in the Gaza Strip. I welcome the humanitarian pauses to allow for the vaccination campaigns to take place."

He said he continued to be engaged with all stakeholders towards these objectives. "A deal is crucial to saving lives, reducing regional tensions and enabling the UN, in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority, to accelerate efforts to address the pressing needs of Gaza’s population."

The UN Special Coordinator said "The ongoing conflict has destroyed the lives of countless families. It must stop.”