“The Court was clear and unequivocal, and the Opinion entails international legal obligations, not only for Israel, but also for the UN and all states,” said Commission Chair Navi Pillay.

“Maintaining and advancing the international rules-based order depends on compliance with this advice,” she added.

International right

In its advisory opinion issued Friday, the ICJ provided a definitive interpretation of the laws governing occupation and the responsibilities of occupying powers. The Court affirmed the prohibition of the acquisition of territory by force and the fundamental right of peoples to self-determination.

Israel’s policies and practices regarding settlement construction and annexation of territory, resulting in the forcible removal of Palestinians from their homes, confiscation of Palestinian land and property, exploitation of natural resources, and discriminatory legal systems in occupied territory, all violate international law, including humanitarian law and human rights law.

“The (UN), and in particular the General Assembly, which has requested this opinion, and the Security Council, must consider the precise modalities and further measures necessary to put an end as rapidly as possible to the unlawful presence of the State of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory,” the International Court of Justice said.

The Commission will assess the implications of this Opinion for the responsibilities of Israel, Palestine, third States and, where relevant, business entities and the UN in order to assist the General Assembly and the Security Council in deciding on appropriate measures and actions.

Ukraine: 80 civilians killed after ongoing hostilities

At least seven people were killed in fighting in Ukraine on Monday and over the weekend in frontline areas in the east and south of the country.

This information comes from the UN aid coordination office OCHA, which cites local authorities. They reported 80 civilian casualties, 200 damaged homes and damage to civilian infrastructure.

More attacks

According to OCHA, aid workers are providing emergency assistance to civilians in the city of Mykolaiv following the attack on Friday.

The attack damaged homes and a playground. Local authorities said about 30 civilians, including children, were killed.

Aid workers are reportedly providing psychological support and shelter materials to cover damaged windows and homes, as well as providing hot meals to victims of the attack.

Attacks on critical infrastructure

According to the OCHA report, four workers were injured in an attack on the Ukrainian national railway company in the Kharkiv region on Saturday.

The Coordination Office also noted that there were ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and water supply. Based on reports from the UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR, more than 70 attacks were reported in April and May.

WHO calls for better access to neurological drugs

The UN’s World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for better access to medicines to close the huge treatment gap for brain disorders. A new report from the UN agency shows that despite progress in developing effective treatments, the drugs remain largely out of reach of those who need them most.

Dévora Kestel, Director of the WHO’s Department of Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Abuse, said the quality of life of people with neurological disorders can be improved, but most patients cannot get the treatment they need because drugs are unavailable or too expensive.

Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability, accounting for more than 80 percent of related deaths and health losses in low- and middle-income countries. The treatment gap affects more than three in four people in most low-income countries, and for epilepsy this gap can reach nine in 10 who do not receive the care they need.

To address these, the WHO report recommends multi-level, multi-sectoral actions across policy, regulation, health infrastructure and education systems. It calls for collaboration at national, regional and global levels.