The UN Security Council is set to convene next week in response to a decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) urging Israel to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza. Algeria initiated the meeting, aiming to enforce the ICJ’s provisional measures on the Israeli occupation.
The ICJ’s ruling, issued on Friday, emphasized Israel’s obligation to halt genocidal acts in its conflict with Hamas and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, it fell short of calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour interpreted the decision as a clear message that a ceasefire is necessary to implement the recommended actions. He hinted at potential efforts by the Arab Group, represented by Algeria in the Security Council, to advocate for a ceasefire.
The Security Council, historically divided on the Israeli-Palestinian matter, has only agreed to two resolutions since the onset of the recent conflict sparked by the October 7 Hamas attacks. In December, it called for substantial aid deliveries to Gaza’s besieged population, while the United States, a staunch ally of Israel, resisted calls for a ceasefire despite international pressure.
The current conflict was initiated with an unprecedented Hamas attack that led to approximately 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians. Hamas militants also took about 250 hostages, with around 132 reportedly still in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 28 deceased captives.
Israel, committed to defeating Hamas, launched a military offensive resulting in a significant death toll, predominantly affecting women and children.
Although the ICJ refrained from an immediate cessation of the nearly four-month-old war, it mandated that Israel take all necessary measures to “prevent the commission of all acts within the scope” of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. The situation underscores the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges in achieving a lasting resolution.
