The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a press statement on Friday, calling for an immediate, independent, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of mass graves in the Gaza Strip. The initiative for this statement was spearheaded by Algeria.
Members of the Security Council expressed their profound concern regarding reports of mass graves discovered at and around Nasser and Al-Shifa hospitals in Gaza, where hundreds of bodies, including women, children, and the elderly, were found. This follows a closed-door discussion convened by Algeria earlier this week regarding the mass graves.
The Council members emphasized the critical need to grant investigators unimpeded access to all mass grave sites within Gaza. This unified stance highlights the international community’s growing discontent with the ongoing situation and a lack of confidence in investigations conducted by the occupying authorities.
Accountability for violations of international law is paramount. The Security Council reiterated its demand that all parties strictly adhere to their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly concerning the protection of civilians.
Addressing the immense suffering of the victims’ families and those with missing relatives, the Security Council reaffirmed the importance of enabling families to learn the fate and whereabouts of their missing loved ones, in accordance with the provisions of international humanitarian law.
Furthermore, the Security Council stressed the necessity for all parties to immediately and fully implement Security Council resolutions 2728 (2024), 2720 (2023), and 2712 (2023) to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.
This marks another instance of Algeria successfully navigating the Council towards a consensus, placing increased international pressure on the occupying power, which can no longer evade its responsibilities. The adoption of this statement follows intensive efforts, consultations, and negotiations led by Algeria in New York with Security Council members and the Palestinian side. Algeria consistently emphasized the need for immediate, independent, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigations into these grave crimes, despite objections and maneuvers from some representatives.
