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UN Rights Council Orders 'Urgent Inquiry' in Sudan's El-Obeid

A Sudanese girl reacts while carrying a plastic canister in al-Rahmaniyah camp for displaced people, near the city of El-Obeid in the southern Kordofan region, on June 25, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A Sudanese girl reacts while carrying a plastic canister in al-Rahmaniyah camp for displaced people, near the city of El-Obeid in the southern Kordofan region, on June 25, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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UN Rights Council Orders 'Urgent Inquiry' in Sudan's El-Obeid

A Sudanese girl reacts while carrying a plastic canister in al-Rahmaniyah camp for displaced people, near the city of El-Obeid in the southern Kordofan region, on June 25, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A Sudanese girl reacts while carrying a plastic canister in al-Rahmaniyah camp for displaced people, near the city of El-Obeid in the southern Kordofan region, on June 25, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

The UN rights council on Monday ordered an "urgent inquiry" into violations and abuses in the Sudanese city of El-Obeid, warning of the looming risk of "large-scale atrocities". 

A strategic hub in the southern Kordofan region, El-Obeid has been encircled for months by the Rapid Support Forces, the paramilitary group that has been fighting Sudan's army since April 2023. 

In a resolution adopted by consensus, the 47-member council voiced "deep concern about the imminent risk of large-scale atrocities by the (RSF)... faced by hundreds of thousands of civilians, including children and internally displaced persons in and around El-Obeid". 

The resolution, which passed after the council held an urgent debate on the situation on Friday, also condemned "reports of dozens of drone strikes on El-Obeid in the last two weeks, including on hospitals and health facilities". 

It also decried "widespread use of rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence", and voiced "alarm at reports of the use of starvation as a method of warfare". 

Presenting the resolution on behalf of a number of countries, Britain's human rights ambassador in Geneva Eleanor Sanders told the council that it was "not enough to express shock and concern". 

"We must take concrete action to support accountability for these crimes." 

- 'Red alert' - 

El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, sits on a key route linking RSF-held areas in the western Darfur region to army-controlled regions in the east. 

A city of half a million people that hosts nearly 100,000 refugees displaced by the civil war, El-Obeid has, in recent weeks, faced its most intense RSF attacks yet. 

The UN has voiced fears that there could be a repeat in El-Obeid of atrocities committed during the RSF's October 2025 assault on the Sudanese city of El-Fasher. 

The UN's independent fact-finding mission on Sudan concluded earlier this year that the siege and capture of El-Fasher bore "the hallmarks of genocide". 

During Friday's debate, UN rights chief Volker Turk told the council that "the signs from El-Obeid are clear and unmistakable: another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan". 

Monday's text called on the existing fact-finding mission to conduct "an urgent inquiry into any violations and abuses of international... law and related to international crimes, allegedly committed in and around El-Obeid". 

The investigators, it said, should provide an update to the rights council and the General Assembly in New York during their next sessions, both in September.

 

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Arab World

Hamas to Dissolve Gaza Governing Body, Say Officials

Palestinians walk along a road in Gaza City on July 3, 2026. (AFP)
Palestinians walk along a road in Gaza City on July 3, 2026. (AFP)
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Hamas to Dissolve Gaza Governing Body, Say Officials

Palestinians walk along a road in Gaza City on July 3, 2026. (AFP)
Palestinians walk along a road in Gaza City on July 3, 2026. (AFP)

Hamas is preparing to dissolve the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, officials from the group said Monday, clearing the way for a Palestinian technocratic committee to implement civilian rule.

The move marks a significant political shift by the Hamas group, which has run Gaza since its fighters seized control from rival Palestinian movement Fatah in 2007.

Since a ceasefire took effect in Gaza last October between Hamas and Israel, the group has repeatedly said it is prepared to step aside from day-to-day governance, but the thorny issue of its disarmament remains unresolved.

"The movement has decided to dissolve the Gaza government committee and to appoint a nationally accepted figure to oversee the committee's work until the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza formally assumes its responsibilities," a Hamas official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk publicly on the matter.

Hamas's media office in Gaza said it would hold "an important press conference" later on Monday, without providing details.

A second Hamas official said the group had already informed other Palestinian factions of the move at a recent meeting in Cairo.

"The factions welcomed Hamas's decision, describing it as a serious step towards enabling the National Committee to take up its governing role," the official said.

The dissolution of the Hamas body paves the way for the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by Palestinian official Ali Shaath, to assume administrative responsibilities.

The NCAG was established by the Board of Peace, which was in turn set up by US President Donald Trump when he brokered the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel last October.

But it has remained based outside Gaza for months, reportedly due to Israeli objections to its entry into the war-devastated territory.

Hamas and other Palestinian factions have held several rounds of talks in Cairo with mediators to narrow differences, particularly over the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.

The first phase involved the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinians detained by Israel.

The transition to the second phase, which was to involve Hamas's disarmament and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, has been stalled for months.

Israeli forces have actually expanded their presence in the territory in recent months, taking control of nearly 70 percent.

Meanwhile, Hamas is demanding the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it will consider handing over any part of its arsenal.

The question of Gaza's post-war governance remains one of the main sticking points in negotiations on implementing phase two.

Israel rejects any return of Hamas to power, but also rejects a direct takeover by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority at this stage.

Arab World

Macron Becomes First Western Leader to Visit Damascus

Participants at the international conference on Syria in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)
Participants at the international conference on Syria in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)
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Macron Becomes First Western Leader to Visit Damascus

Participants at the international conference on Syria in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)
Participants at the international conference on Syria in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron (Reuters)

Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad‘s regime and the assumption of power by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Paris has led Western efforts to engage with Syria’s new leadership.

That policy has been reflected in three key steps. The first was France’s push within the European Union to lift sanctions imposed on the former Syrian regime, a process that has since been carried out gradually.

The second was its call for an economic conference, hosted in Paris on February 13, 2025, just weeks after Assad’s ouster, to support Syria. The conference produced a political, economic, and social roadmap, along with recommendations on good governance, minority protection, and the establishment of an inclusive political system.

The third step was inviting al-Sharaa to visit Paris. That visit took place on May 7, making Paris the first Western capital to receive the interim Syrian president. It also encouraged other European capitals to follow suit.

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot became the first Western foreign minister to visit Damascus, alongside his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, on January 3 last year. On that occasion, the French Embassy in Damascus was “theoretically” reopened, although its staff continue to operate from Beirut while restoration work on the embassy building is completed.

These moves reflect President Emmanuel Macron‘s determination to take the lead in engaging Syria’s new authorities. As one former French ambassador to the region put it, Paris aims “to influence and engage the new leadership while preparing for the country’s reconstruction.”

France is also motivated by its longstanding ties with the Kurds, particularly the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as its interest in Syrian-Lebanese relations. Paris believes it can help facilitate dialogue between Damascus and Beirut and encourage both sides to resolve their longstanding border issues.

The former ambassador added that France has sought to support “a peaceful and inclusive political transition.” At the same time, it has not hesitated to condemn the serious security incidents that have occurred across Syria, from the Mediterranean coast to the northeast and south, while calling for those responsible to be prosecuted. Nevertheless, French officials have generally maintained that “overall, developments are moving in the right direction.”

For weeks, diplomatic and media circles have been discussing Macron’s planned visit to Syria, which would mark the first visit by a Western head of state to Damascus since Assad’s fall. The last French president to visit Syria was Nicolas Sarkozy, who made an official trip to Damascus on September 3–4, 2009, as part of efforts to relaunch French-Syrian relations following Assad’s visit to Paris in July of that year.

Among the notable visits to Damascus was that of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in January this year, followed three months later by a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Given the political backing Paris has extended to Syria’s new leadership — reminiscent of the role former President Jacques Chirac sought to play with Bashar al-Assad shortly after he came to power — France is betting on its ability to strengthen its diplomatic, political, and economic position in Syria.

This week’s NATO summit, held Tuesday and Wednesday, provided Macron with an opportunity to make a brief visit to Syria. The trip is expected primarily to advance bilateral relations, deepen consultations on regional issues, continue cooperation in combating terrorism, and explore opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of sectors, as Paris seeks to maintain the close engagement with Syria’s new authorities that it has pursued since they assumed power.

 

 

Arab World

Implementation of Deal on Pilot Zones in Southern Lebanon Runs into Israeli, Hezbollah Resistance

An Israeli soldier works on a tank on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border (Reuters)
An Israeli soldier works on a tank on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border (Reuters)
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Implementation of Deal on Pilot Zones in Southern Lebanon Runs into Israeli, Hezbollah Resistance

An Israeli soldier works on a tank on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border (Reuters)
An Israeli soldier works on a tank on the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border (Reuters)

Lebanon is awaiting the launch of the first phase of Israel’s withdrawal from two pilot areas in the south, although no date has yet been set. The move remains uncertain amid Israeli military violations and threats, while Hezbollah continues to denounce the US-brokered framework agreement as “nonexistent” and refuses to cooperate in its implementation.

Speaking Sunday from Beaufort Castle overlooking southern Lebanon, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir issued fresh warnings.

He described the Beaufort area as “packed with terrorist infrastructure,” saying Hezbollah, “with Iranian funding and direction,” had spent decades building underground tunnels and military networks there to threaten Israeli communities in the north.

Zamir stressed that the Lebanese army “must fulfill its commitments under the historic agreement” by clearing the area of Hezbollah operatives.

He added that the Israeli military would continue acting “decisively” against threats from Lebanese territory and was prepared to launch a rapid offensive if the ceasefire were violated.

He also claimed Hezbollah had been significantly weakened by Israeli military operations and was now relying on Iran for support.

Israeli Pressure, Hezbollah Rejection

Against this backdrop, Lebanese officials say implementation of the pilot-zone provision is being hindered by resistance from both Israel and Hezbollah.

Ministerial sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that contacts are underway to establish a US-chaired trilateral committee comprising the United States, Lebanon, and Israel to oversee the deployment of the Lebanese army in two pilot zones covering the towns of Froun and Ghandouriyeh in Bint Jbeil district, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in Nabatieh district.

The committee would supervise the pilot phase, with Washington expected to pressure Israel to proceed. However, the sources said Hezbollah’s refusal to cooperate further complicates implementation.

US Mediation

The sources said Washington is holding talks with both Iran and Israel in an effort to devise a mechanism for a simultaneous Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah redeployment. Israel insists that its withdrawal be linked to Hezbollah’s evacuation of the areas, while Hezbollah maintains that no such steps will be taken before Israel pulls out.

They added that contacts had slowed in recent days because of Iran’s near-total absence from diplomatic exchanges, as Tehran has been preoccupied with funeral ceremonies following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Despite the lull, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported Sunday that preparations for the next withdrawal phase were advancing under direct US coordination.

The plan calls for a joint mechanism to oversee the ceasefire and transfer security responsibility to the Lebanese army.

The pilot phase is part of the US-brokered framework agreement, which envisions two experimental security zones under the exclusive control of the Lebanese army, alongside reconstruction efforts and the return of displaced residents, under the supervision of a US-led trilateral military coordination group.

Continuing Violations

Israeli forces continued military operations in southern Lebanon. Artillery shelled the towns of Braachit and Deir Siryan, while an Israeli drone dropped two stun grenades over Hadatha in Bint Jbeil district.

An Israeli helicopter also carried out aerial sweeps over Majdal Zoun, while fighter jets flew over Beirut’s southern suburbs, Sidon, and surrounding areas. Israeli forces also continued demolishing homes and neighborhoods in several southern villages, most recently in Talloussah in Marjayoun district.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army said its engineering units had dismantled four unexploded Israeli munitions in Meifadoun, Braachit, Kfardounine, and Shaqra, moving them to secure locations while urging residents to report suspicious objects.

Politically, Hezbollah escalated its criticism of the framework agreement. Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah argued that the deal “has no provision that serves Lebanon,” claiming it seeks to achieve through diplomacy what Israel failed to impose by force: entrenching the occupation, creating a buffer zone, shielding Israel from international legal accountability, and ultimately eliminating the “resistance.”

Fadlallah also asserted that the agreement lacks constitutional, legal, and national legitimacy, declaring that Hezbollah would not allow its implementation.

He insisted that southern Lebanon’s villages “are not a testing ground” and that the group would continue to uphold what it described as its right to defend Lebanon.