UN News Today 25 August 2025 |

Gaza: Guterres condemns latest killing of civilians, health workers and journalists in hospital attack

The UN chief António Guterres has condemned the latest killing of civilians, aid staff and journalists – some of whom were working for international news agencies in Gaza – following two strikes on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis on Monday.

At least 20 were killed, according to local health authorities, including four health workers and five media workers.

Fifty others were injured, among them critically ill patients who were already receiving care, said the head of the World Health Organization, WHO.

The hospital’s main building which houses the emergency department, inpatient ward, and surgical unit, was hit.

Mr. Guterres said the latest horrific killings highlight the extreme risks medical personnel and journalists face as they carry out their vital work.

Here’s the UN chief’s Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric:

“He calls for a prompt, and impartial investigation into these killings. He reiterates that medical personnel and journalists must be able to perform their essential duties without interference, without intimidation, and without harm, and in full accordance with international humanitarian law.”

In a social media post, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said while Gazans are starving, their already limited healthcare access “is being further crippled by repeated attacks.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office said later in the day that the killing of journalists and aid workers at Nasser Hospital was a “tragic mishap”.

Conditions keep worsening for Rohingya, 8 years on from forced exodus

Eight years on from their forced exodus from Myanmar into Bangladesh, conditions continue to deteriorate for the mostly-Muslim Rohingya – amid already dire circumstances.

That’s according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres who issued a statement marking the grim anniversary when they were targeted en masse by security forces in what the UN human chief at the time described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.

In Rakhine State, Rohingya and other civilians are today caught in the crossfire between the forces of Myanmar’s military junta and the separatist Arakan Army – with many subjected to forced recruitment, human rights violations and other abuse.

Continued violence has forced more Rohingya to flee, while removals and deportations across the region raise serious human rights and asylum concerns. Funding cuts are also severely curtailing education, food assistance, healthcare, and protection services.

Mr. Guterres said there needs to be renewed international solidarity with the Rohingya’s continuing plight.

Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has implored the international community to step up support by increasing humanitarian funding – and bring all warring parties to account.

Over 20,000 still displaced by deadly flash floods in Pakistan

Around 400 people have been killed and more than 190 injured during the past ten days in Pakistan, due to heavy rains and flash floods in mountainous northern areas, according to local authorities.

More than 20,000 people remain displaced due to flooding – and a new monsoon system is forecast, with heavy rainfall expected to continue in the coming days.

The UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, reports that shelter supplies, medical assistance, cash for work, hygiene kits, clean drinking water and education are urgently needed – as well as protection support, particularly for women and girls.

Pakistani authorities are leading the response, with support from the UN and local partners. Over the weekend, the UN relief chief Tom Fletcher released $600,000 from the regional pooled fund to support the ongoing efforts.

Matt Wells, UN News.