Security Council Convenes Following UN Court’s Gaza Ruling

Next week, the U.N. Security Council is scheduled to convene to discuss the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) recent directive to Israel. This directive, issued by the world’s highest court, mandates Israel to prevent any acts of genocide in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. This announcement was made by the council’s current president on Friday.

The meeting, set for Wednesday, was initiated by Algeria. The Algerian foreign affairs ministry emphasized the importance of enforcing the ICJ’s interim measures on Israel’s actions in the occupied territories.

On Friday, the ICJ declared that Israel must avert genocidal actions during its conflict with Hamas and ensure the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza. However, the court did not explicitly demand a cessation of the hostilities.

Palestinian ambassador to the U.N., Riyad Mansour, interpreted the decision as a clear indication that a ceasefire is necessary to fulfill these requirements.

Mansour, alluding to the forthcoming Security Council session, suggested that the Arab Group, represented by Algeria, might advocate for a ceasefire.

The Security Council, historically divided on Israeli-Palestinian matters, has only passed two resolutions related to the ongoing conflict since Hamas’ attacks on October 7. In December, the Council called for significant aid deliveries to the people in Gaza under siege. Meanwhile, the United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has resisted endorsing a ceasefire, despite international calls for one.

The conflict, triggered by a major assault by Hamas, reportedly resulted in approximately 1,140 deaths in Israel, predominantly among civilians, as per an AFP count based on official Israeli data.

About 250 hostages were reportedly taken by militants, with around 132 believed to still be in Gaza, including the remains of at least 28 deceased hostages.

In response, Israel launched a military campaign, vowing to defeat Hamas. The Gaza health ministry reports that this offensive has resulted in over 26,000 fatalities, with women and children constituting about 70% of the casualties.

While the ICJ, located in The Hague, did not order an immediate end to the nearly four-month-long war, it emphasized Israel’s obligation to actively prevent any actions that could be construed as genocidal, as defined by the 1948 U.N. Genocide Convention.