Gaza, Peacekeeping & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (30 July 2026) | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Ukraine
– Middle East
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Lebanon
– Yemen
– Peacekeeping
– Central African Republic
– Democratic Republic of the Congo/Peacekeeping
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Sudan
– UN Interim Security Force for Abyei
– World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
– International Day of Friendship
– Climate

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

The UN continues to receive reports of civilian casualties, including young children, and displacement caused by strikes and shelling across Gaza. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stresses that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected and should not be targeted.

The UN and its partners continue to provide support to affected families through a system set up for a rapid, joint response. Last week, our partners received over a dozen requests for assistance and mobilized responses to 180 families whose shelters and belongings were damaged by shelling and fire. Many of the families were newly displaced.

UN partners provided emergency shelter materials, bedding, water containers, clothing, hygiene and dignity kits, and food assistance.

Meanwhile, OCHA and partners report that over the past week, approximately 30,000 metric tonnes of debris were cleared from roads, camps, displacement sites and public facilities across Gaza.

The UN Development Programme said that it recycled and repurposed about 6,000 metric tonnes of debris for soil stabilization, helping to facilitate safer movements for communities and improve access to humanitarian services. However, this is only a fraction of the more than 60 million tonnes of debris that have been generated since the onset of hostilities in October 2023.

Insecurity, access restrictions, limitations on the entry of essential heavy machinery and spare parts, as well as shortages of engine oil, continue to constrain efforts to clear debris.

LEBANON

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continues to observe Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace using both drones and fighter aircrafts, as well as military activities on the ground in south Lebanon. In the three days since Monday, peacekeepers recorded 80 air violations.

UNIFIL peacekeepers recorded extensive Israel Defence Forces artillery and mortar firing operations, along with multiple points of impact across both sectors and areas north of the Litani River. UNIFIL units also recorded extensive IDF operational footprint expansion, high density armored maneuvers, active engineering works, and direct kinetic engagements across both sectors.

Yesterday, UNIFIL observed IDF tanks firing four rounds into residential structures causing fires southeast of Houla and 11 rounds east of Ett Taibe.

On Tuesday, peacekeepers observed an armed drone launched from the vicinity of Al Bayyadah, which overflew a UN position, before returning to the same area later. Concurrently, peacekeepers at UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura observed one surveillance drone conducting a vertical takeoff from a building currently used by the IDF just outside the UNIFIL Headquarters.

Peacekeepers also faced several restrictions and impediments to freedom of movement across the area of operations, including several roadblocks.

UNIFIL’s explosive ordnance disposal teams also continue to discover and safely dispose of explosive hazards found in the mission’s area of operations.

On the humanitarian front, in the three days since Monday, UNIFIL, through its Liaison Branch and in coordination with OCHA, facilitated 12 humanitarian missions in Sector West and one in Sector East.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-07-30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LTUrqcuOhM

Citizenship by Investment

Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)

When someone pays for citizenship through a citizenship by investment program, is it really an investment? In this episode of The Economy – How Do You Measure That?, Jim Tebrake and Prunella Charles-Williams explore how these payments are recorded in macroeconomic statistics. Learn why some are classified as current or capital transfers, while others are recorded as direct investment, depending on the type of contribution and how the funds are used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALqcDcuoHYM

In Michigan, Director Lauds Violent Crime Arrests

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

Proud of the partnership between this FBI and Michigan law enforcement — violent crime arrests are up 115%! This is what happens when you back the blue, resource the men and women who protect us, and bring criminals to justice. Law and order works.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yF-YY8rNaM

Director Highlights FBI Successes in Conversation With Former Agents

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

FBI Director Kash Patel spoke with former special agents John Nantz and Chris Hinkle to talk about reforms and accomplishments made during his tenure at the Bureau.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I6x6Xd2iZM

Your Flight Is Cancelled. What Happens Next?

Source: European Commission (video statements)

If your flight is cancelled in Europe, what are your rights? could you be entitled to compensation? In this video you will learn how Air Passenger Rights will change in the EU:

00:25 – Children under 14 could sit next to the adult travelling with them without paying an additional seating fee.

00:35 – Clearer rules will be issued for people with disabilities, and how it affects their connecting flights.

00:45 – Passengers could have the right to leave an aircraft after waiting two hours on the tarmac before departure.

Travelers would receive clearer information about the support and protections available during a disruption.

01:12 – Hand-luggage charges would be presented in a more standardised and transparent way when booking.

01:31 – Airlines would need to provide information about possible compensation within four days of a disruption.

Travellers would receive clearer information about the support and protections available during a disruption.

These are proposed reforms, so the exact rules and timing depend on the EU legislative process. Existing passenger protections may already apply, depending on the circumstances of your journey and the reason for the disruption.

Learn more about air passenger rights in Europe: https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-themes/passenger-rights_en

#FlightCancellationCompensation #PassengerRights #FlightDelayCompensation #AirPassengerRights #TravelRights #TravelEurope #CancelledFlight #FlightDelay #EuropeanTravel #EuropeanCommission

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI-HPj3VInI