Live Updates: Türkiye warns of 'dangerous' situation in Palestine, urges aid

11:30 GMT — Türkiye warns of 'dangerous' situation in Palestine, urges aid

The unfolding situation in besieged Gaza and occupied West Bank is "extraordinary" and "extremely dangerous," Türkiye's delegation to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has said, calling for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid.

Türkiye's newly-nominated Permanent Representative to UN and Deputy FM Ahmet Yildiz presented Türkiye's oral statements in advisory proceedings on the legal consequences of Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an unhindered flow of aid to Palestinians as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.

"It is alarming to see reports regarding plans by the Israeli government to limit prayers of Muslims at Haram al Sharif during Ramadan," he said during public hearings in The Hague, adding that the "provocative rhetoric" by certain Israeli ministers is also "worrisome."

Expressing Ankara's position regarding the situation in Palestine, Yildiz said Türkiye is "deeply concerned" with the unilateral policies and practices of Israel, which "violates the status quo in Haram al Sharif [Al Aqsa Mosque Compound]."

11:18 GMT — Security Council undermined by Gaza, Ukraine deadlock, says UN chief

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has deplored how the UN Security Council had failed to respond adequately to the Israeli war on Gaza and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying the conflicts had "perhaps fatally" undermined its authority.

Speaking at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said the UN Security Council often found itself deadlocked and "unable to act on the most significant peace and security issues of our time".

The Council's "lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and on Israel's military operations in Gaza" following Hamas's blitz on 7 October, has "severely – perhaps fatally – undermined its authority," he said.

"The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods."

10:54 GMT - UNGA president calls for urgent truce, aid access in Gaza

The UN General Assembly president has said that the United Nations "must" speak out louder to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the opening of corridors for urgently needed assistance.

"In the name of humanity, we the United Nations must vehemently use our commanding platforms to speak up and to speak out – louder – in our demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the opening of corridors to render urgently needed assistance and care to the 1.5 million displaced and unhoused Palestinians," Dennis Francis said during his remarks to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Francis also implored to donors to uphold and sustain their contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to discharge its mandated responsibilities to the Palestinians.

09:48 GMT — Security Council undermined by Gaza, Ukraine deadlock, says UN chief

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has deplored how the UN Security Council had failed to respond adequately to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying the conflicts had "perhaps fatally" undermined its authority.

Speaking at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said the UN Security Council often found itself deadlocked and "unable to act on the most significant peace and security issues of our time".

"The Council's lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and on Israel's military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, has severely – perhaps fatally – undermined its authority," he said. "The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods."

08:11 GMT - Israel army proposes evacuation plan as PM vows Rafah invasion

Israel's military proposed a plan for "evacuating" civilians from Gaza, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a ground invasion of the Palestinian territory's southern city Rafah was necessary for "total victory".

Foreign governments and aid organisations have repeatedly expressed fears that such an offensive will inflict mass civilian casualties in Rafah, where around 1.4 million Palestinians -- most of them displaced from other areas -- have converged. It is also the entry point for desperately needed aid, brought in via neighbouring Egypt.

Israel's military "presented the War Cabinet with a plan for evacuating the population from areas of fighting in Gaza, and with the upcoming operational plan", a statement in Hebrew from Netayahu's office said Monday.

07:51 GMT — UAE's floating hospital starts receiving Gaza patients

The United Arab Emirates began providing medical aid to Palestinians wounded in Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, utilising a floating hospital anchored in Al Arish Port in northeastern Egypt.

According to the UAE's official news agency WAM, the floating hospital, established as part of the country’s support to Palestinians, commenced medical services and began admitting casualties from Gaza.

The 100-bed hospital is equipped with a comprehensive array of medical facilities including operating and intensive care rooms, a radiology unit, a laboratory and a pharmacy.

07:11 GMT — Israel vows to target Lebanon's Hezbollah even if ceasefire reached with Hamas in Gaza

Israel’s defence minister vowed to step up attacks on Lebanon’s Hezbollah group even if a ceasefire is reached with Hamas in Gaza.

Hezbollah, which has been exchanging fire with Israel throughout the war in Gaza, has said it will halt its nearly daily attacks on Israel if a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.

But Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that anyone who thinks a temporary ceasefire for Gaza will also apply to the northern front is “mistaken.”

07:00 GMT — UNRWA chief says ‘man-made’ famine in Gaza can be averted if aid let in

A severe famine in Gaza can be averted if aid is allowed in, the commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said.

“The last time UNRWA was able to deliver food aid to northern Gaza was on 23 January,” Philippe Lazzarini said on X.

“Since then, together with other UN agencies, we have warned against a looming famine, appealed for regular humanitarian access, and stated that famine can be averted if more food convoys are allowed into northern Gaza on a regular basis,” he added.

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