Published on: 2026-07-17
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 16, 2026 UN
Top news of the day at the UN and worldwide: attacks on humanitarian personnel hinder aid delivery to residents of Ukraine, granting city status to an Israeli settlement in the West Bank contradicts international law, Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo is spreading at an unprecedented pace, Secretary-General will visit Cyprus.
Strikes on Ukraine
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that during the past night, strikes have caused civilian casualties in Ukraine, with homes and civilian infrastructure damaged. The UN office warns that the increasing use of drones, coupled with ongoing attacks on humanitarian workers and property, is making aid efforts increasingly difficult. According to the latest OCHA assessment, nearly half of front-line and border communities in Ukraine face high or extremely high restrictions on humanitarian access.
Settlements in the West Bank
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is seriously concerned about the decision by Israeli authorities to grant city status to the settlement of Givat Ze’ev, located in the West Bank. The UN press service stated that this administrative decision does not change the international legal status of the area as part of the occupied Palestinian territory. The UN reminds that all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as the infrastructure associated with them, have no legal validity and constitute a gross violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Ebola Outbreak
Two months ago, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced an outbreak of Ebola fever, which has since become the third largest ever recorded. This was stated on Thursday by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In the past month, the rate of disease spread has surpassed that of all previous outbreaks: 2,073 cases and 796 deaths have been registered. WHO is assisting the DRC authorities in expanding response measures. Additionally, clinical trials of several drugs have been initiated.
The General Secretary’s trip to Cyprus
The UN press service reported today that Secretary-General António Guterres will visit Cyprus from July 27 to 29. He will hold meetings with leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, as well as with other stakeholders. The UN chief will discuss efforts to advance the peace process and maintain stability on the island, including through the activities of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus. The UN Security Council is holding a closed session on Cyprus today.
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