UN Security Council Emergency Session: Israel’s Actions in Rafah Under Scrutiny

On Tuesday, the UN Security Council scheduled a meeting. The agenda of this meeting is to discuss an Israeli airstrike on Hamas militants in southern Gaza, which resulted in significant civilian casualties. Algeria and Slovenia are the two nations that put forward the request of the meeting. Furthermore, this meeting will be conducted behind the closed doors with secret discussions. It points out the international concerns and diplomatic response  to the violence and casualties resulting from the airstrike. It also reflects the ongoing tensions and the Security Council’s role in how they address such conflicts and humanitarian crises. 

Due to Israel’s actions during the war, the UN Security Council typically holds such meetings to discuss complications along with its solution. The upcoming Tuesday’s meeting is not expected to result in any decisive action. But there are some indications that Algeria and other members of the nation will urge the council to enforce a recent ruling from the International Court of Justice regarding Israeli operations in Rafah.

The Security Council plays an important role in ensuring that everyone follows the decision of the International Court of Justice( ICJ). 

International criticism rises due to Sunday’s attack. In this attack two main leaders of Hamas died. Furthermore, The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, says 45 civilians died.

Hamas fired large numbers of rockets from Rafah toward Tel Aviv, earlier today. And it is the first time since January that a rocket became the cause of disaster in the central Israeli city. This is because  rockets from Gaza have reached the center of the city .

Rafah is important to Hamas as their last stronghold in Gaza. It’s also been a safe place for Gazans who had to leave their homes during Israel’s military operations earlier in the war.

Israel has managed to get about 1 million Gazans out of Rafah in the past few weeks before their military operation there.

Benjamin Netanyahu, who is the prime minister of Israel, related Sunday’s strike with the “ tragic mistake”. It is unclear yet now what exactly happened during and after this incident. According to ABC news, missiles don’t strike the exact place where they want. It might have hit a fuel tank about 330 feet away from where they were aiming.

On Monday, one of the statements given by Tor Wennesland, the U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process. According to him “he was deeply troubled by the deaths of so many women and children in an area where people have sought shelter.” 

The Israeli military is responsible for Sunday’s strike that occurred outside the Al Mawasi humanitarian zone.

Wemmesland asked Israel to investigate the incident and expose the major culprit. According to him it is good for Israel to make a thorough investigation in order to know what happened. Collection of the correct information is also important to punish one who did wrong. He also said that take quick action to save the lives of civilians. 

Additionally Qatar said this action of Israel is the clear indication that war would not stop. Despite the death of many people it is impossible for Israel to agree to stop fighting, which was set to start again today.

The strike occurred when the International Court of Justice issued an order. The main purpose of these orders is to demand from Israel to immediately ease its military offensive and any other actions in the Rafah governorate. This because these actions could lead to the physical destruction of the Palestinian population in Gaza. 

According to ICJ there is an urgent need for peace in order to protect the civilians and also prevent further escalation of violence. It marked a significant legal and humanitarian intervention aimed at mitigating the ongoing conflict and safeguarding the lives of those affected.

Furthermore, the meaning of the word ruling is different for different people. Some say that its exact meaning is to demand from Israel to stop its operation in Rafah and bring peace. At the same time, other says including some International Court of Justice Judges(ICJ) it means the operation can’t break the Genocide Convention.