Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

Algeria Proposes UNSC Resolution to Enforce Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza Following ICJ Ruling

10:58, 2 February 2024

Muhammad Nooh Osman

Writer/Editor

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Since the start of Israel's military operation in Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack, the UN Security Council has failed to call for a cease-fire due to US vetoes, despite the deaths of nearly 27,000 Palestinian civilians from Israeli attacks. Last week, a UN court ruled that Israel must take immediate action to prevent acts of genocide.

Sputnik

Algeria has proposed a resolution to the UN Security Council calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that Israel must take immediate measures to prevent acts of genocide and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.

This motion is expected to meet with opposition from the United States, a veto-wielding member of the Council, which believes that such a ceasefire would only serve the interests of the Palestinian movement Hamas.

Diplomats told the media that Algeria submitted the draft to the 15-member council following Wednesday's UN Security Council discussions on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling against Israel.

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On January 26, in response to South Africa's case of genocide in Gaza, the ICJ issued interim measures ordering Israel to take urgent measures to prevent acts of genocide and to ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Gaza Strip. However, the Court did not order an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza.

Following the ICJ ruling, Algeria sought a UNSC meeting to enforce the court's decision on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, South Africa's justice minister reiterated his country's intention to escalate the matter to the UN General Assembly if US opposition prevents the UNSC from enforcing the ICJ ruling.

The US, a staunch supporter of Israel, has the power to veto any proposed resolution, which requires at least nine affirmative votes and no vetoes from the US, UK, France, China or Russia for adoption.

Notably, in December, the Security Council passed a resolution to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, but refrained from calling for a ceasefire after navigating voting delays and intense negotiations to avert the US veto.

The US, which lobbied against a ceasefire on behalf of Tel Aviv, had previously blocked a call for humanitarian ceasefire in the Security Council, only to see it approved by 153 member states of the UN General Assembly shortly thereafter.