UN Security Council Reviews International Court Decision Against Israel

The trial of the alleged genocide lawsuit in Gaza by Israel. (Source: UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek)

JAKARTA - UN Security Council member states held a meeting to review the recent International Court (ICJ) decision on Israel's genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Through its ruling last week, the ICJ ordered Israel to make all efforts to prevent further bloodshed in Gaza, in line with its obligations based on the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is also demanding the immediate release of all hostages.

Algerian Permanent Representative for the United Nations Amar Bendjama said the decision reaffirmed that the impunity period had ended.

"We, in this case, reiterate that Israel, as a occupation force, will immediately comply with the steps agreed by the court," he said, at a UN DK meeting discussing the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 1.

He said the international community must ensure that Israel fully complies with the ICJ's decision.

He also emphasized that the temporary order of the ICJ must be carried out to protect the Palestinian people from genocide.

"It is very important to guarantee accountability to protect future generations from atrocities as is currently being done in Gaza," he said.

British Permanent Representative to the United Nations Barbara Woodward saidLondonresponded the ICJ's call for immediate release of hostages and the need to distribute more aid to Gaza, as the Court reminded all parties involved in the conflict were bound by international humanitarian law.

China's ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun repeated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza, given the increasing humanitarian disaster.

"The ICJ provisional decision is a strong response to the need to protect civilians," he said.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia also advocated for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

"It is clear that the circle of violence in Gaza will continue until the longstanding injustice that underlies the conflict is omitted and the Palestinian people can obtain the right to establish their own independent state," he said.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the interim action order issued by the ICJ was in line with the US delegation's belief that Israel has the right to defend itself, but it is important that all operations must respect international humanitarian law.

"Although we all agree that there are more things to do and even though we are all devastated by the high death toll of civilians, we must be honest about what the Court has not ordered. In particular, the Court did not order an immediate ceasefire," he said.

The Palestinian envoy to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, said it was "very clear" that the interim action adopted by the ICJ was binding and Israel must comply.

"The Court also rejects the premise that Israel is basically above the law and cannot be accused of committing genocide crimes," he said.

South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the ICJ in late December and asked the Court to provide emergency measures to end the bloodshed in Gaza, where at least 26,900 Palestinians have been killed since October 7.