Let us not underestimate the scale of the challenges that lie ahead. While the situation has stabilized in parts of #Syria, the conflict is far from over.
– Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking to the media, 19 Dec 2024 Civilians remain at risk killed, injured and displaced. Their protection must be our highest priority.
Over the last two weeks, we have seen significant hostilities in the north.
ISIL continues to be a major threat in many parts of the country.

Today, millions of Palestine refugees fear that the public services on which their lives depend will soon disappear. They fear that their children will be deprived of education, illnesses will go untreated, and social support will stop
– @UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini, 6 Nov 24 The entire population of Gaza fears that their only remaining lifeline will be cut
Without intervention by Member States, @UNRWA will collapse, plunging millions of Palestinians into chaos

.@UNRWA takes allegations of neutrality breaches extremely seriously. We do not operate in a zero-risk environment, but we take a zero-tolerance approach to any proven breaches
– Philippe Lazzarini, 6 Nov 24 It is problematic, however, that unsubstantiated allegations are used to justify actions against the Agency
The Independent Review of @UNRWA’s neutrality found that the Agency has a more robust neutrality framework than comparable entities

The Knesset legislation forbids contact between Israeli State officials and @UNRWA representatives. It prohibits UNRWA operations in what it calls the sovereign territory of the State of Israel
Its implementation will have disastrous consequences
– Philippe Lazzarini, 6 Nov 24 @UNRWA In Gaza, dismantling @UNRWA will collapse the United Nations humanitarian response, which relies heavily on the Agency’s infrastructure

UNRWA is a mechanism for which this Assembly has tasked the UN to assist Palestine refugees. Unique among UN agencies, UNRWA is mandated to directly provide public-like services, inc. education, primary health care and social support
– @UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini, 6 Nov 24 .@UNRWA services primary concern human development
However, our large footprint and long experience enabled us to transform rapidly into a humanitarian machine in Gaza
Our teachers became shelter managers overnight, our health clinics transformed into emergency rooms

A year of the most intense bombardment of a civilian population since World War II and the severe restriction on humanitarian aid have transformed Gaza into a dystopian horror
– @UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini, 6 Nov 24 In northern Gaza, Palestinians are being burned and buried alive by airstrikes
A brutal siege and attacks on hospitals & rescue teams are denying lifesaving supplies and assistance to the population
Men and boys are being arrested and reportedly detained in undisclosed locations

We convene at a time when the work of @UNRWA is more crucial than ever before but we also convene at a time when its ability to operate has never been more in doubt
– General Assembly President Philémon Yang @UN_PGA, 6 Nov 24 As @UNLazzarini has informed, @UNRWA may soon be facing an effective end to its mandate
The Israeli Parliament decided to adopt two laws on 28 Oct – which if implemented – would prevent UNRWA from undertaking its essential work in Gaza and occupied West Bank, inc. East Jerusalem

On 28 Oct the Israeli Knesset adopted two laws on @UNRWA forbidding Israeli state officials from contact with UNRWA or its representatives and prohibiting UNRWA operations within what is referred to as the sovereign territory of the State of Israel
– @TWennesland, @UNSCO_MEPP These developments risk the collapse of UNRWA’s operations across the occupied Palestinian Territory and severely undermine humanitarian operations in #Gaza, which rely on UNRWA
These bills are set to go into effect in ninety days

The vast majority of those killed were part of the backbone of humanitarian relief operations in Gaza, @UNRWA
“In the midst of all the upheaval, UNRWA – more than ever – is indispensable. UNRWA – more than ever – is irreplaceable”
— UN Secretary-General Guterres, 8 Oct '24 That is why I have written directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express profound concern about draft legislation that could prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Security Council resolution 2334 (2016) calls for “immediate steps to prevent all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation and destruction”
– Tor Wennesland, UN Special Coordinator @UNSCO_MEPP Unfortunately, the devastating conflict in Gaza has continued alongside daily violence in the occupied West Bank, with the high number of fatality incidents precluding me from detailing it all

The operative clause of the advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, requested by the UN General Assembly

(Thread)



Read by Nawaf Salam, President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)...

The Court,
Finds that it has jurisdiction to give the Advisory Opinion requested

Decides to comply with request for an Advisory Opinion

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The operative part of the ICJ order on the request submitted by South Africa on 10 May 2024 in the case South Africa v. Israel

[thread below]



The Court by 13 votes to 2 …

“Reaffirms the provisional measures indicated in its orders of 26 January 2024 and 28 March 2024, which should be immediately and effectively implemented”

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"Our world is challenged like never before.From #climatechange, to conflicts, to #COVID19, which is putting the Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach. It would be easy to lose hope. But we are not hopeless" @antonioguterres "We have a path to recovery. Ifwe choose to take it. That’s what this SDG Moment is all about.Coming together to save our planet. And today we are coming together with @BTS_twt" @antonioguterres