In statements issued by the UN Spokesperson, Guterres urged Israel to fulfill its obligations in relation to the UN and other humanitarian activities of its partners and emphasized that all parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law and human rights.
Guterres reiterated his call 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.
“Very clear” obligations
U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said the ICJ ruling made Israel’s legal duties “very clear,” starting with ensuring that the people of Gaza and the wider Occupied Palestinian Territory receive essential supplies.
He urged Israel and all States to quickly comply with the court’s findings and take concrete steps to address the terrible humanitarian and human rights crisis.
All parties to the conflict, he added, must prioritize saving lives and delivering aid, and these measures form the basis for peacebuilding and a lasting ceasefire based on human rights and international law.
UN nuclear agency: Ukraine power plant reconnects to the grid
Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia (ZNPP) was successfully reconnected to Ukraine’s power 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 tenth time since the conflict broke out in 2022.
‘A rare good day’
“Today is a good day for nuclear security in Ukraine and beyond, although the overall situation, of course, remains very precarious,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
He added that despite the war, both sides agreed that it was “vital to restore external power and they cooperated constructively with us to make that happen.”
The agency is monitoring the restoration and coordinating with the two parties to repair further damage.
Nigeria takes action for internally displaced people
Nigeria has risen to the challenge and taken steps to realize the United Nations Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on internal displacement around the world.
This week, leaders of several UN agencies praised the Nigerian government for its leadership in addressing internal displacement and called for greater international commitment to ensure a long-term solution.
Officials from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) concluded a three-day joint mission to the country, where they met with politicians, traditional leaders and representatives of internally displaced people in several regions.
The team called on international financial institutions and development partners to increase assistance for self-reliance and economic recovery.
“Nigeria’s experience shows that there is a clear shift from humanitarian aid to self-reliance, from short-term response to long-term recovery,” said UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner Raouf Mazou.
Unique commitment
“What makes Nigeria unique is its commitment to combining public investment with private sector participation.”
Officials noted that the country has benefited from UN resources, which provide assistance with data, policies and coordination structures at the state level.
Shoko Noda, director of the UNDP crisis office, added that “Nigeria has the potential to build a comprehensive model in support of solutions, one that can inspire similar advances in other displacement contexts.”