(NewsInsights.org) – Pakistan introduced a resolution to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday, April 5, to hold Israel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity for actions taken in Gaza in response to the October 7 Hamas attack. The resolution, introduced on behalf of all Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states except Albania, passed in the council by a vote of 28 nations in favor, six countries, including the US, against, and 13 member states abstaining.
OIC member states pressed the issue after South Africa pursued charges against Israel in January in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court. South Africa alleged that Israel was pursuing a program of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by denying civilians food, water, fuel, electricity, and communications. ICJ judges held that “there is a plausible risk of genocide” at that time.
In March, faced with evidence of more than 33,000 deaths in Gaza and growing food shortages constituting an impending famine in the region, the ICJ ordered Israel to cooperate with the UN to provide “urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance,” including water, food, medical supplies, and fuel.
After the tragedy on Monday, April 1, when Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) targeted three World Central Kitchen relief vehicles, killing seven aid workers, most international relief organizations temporarily suspended operations until they could determine whether the IDF would honor their safety. For months, the UN and aid agencies have called for additional supply routes into Gaza, but the IDF tightly controlled access to the territory.
On Thursday, a call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden seemingly influenced Gaza policy. While neither government made a readout of the conversation available, experts speculated that Biden likely warned his counterpart about significant US policy changes as a consequence should Israel continue its stubborn stance toward allowing more aid into Gaza. Hours after the call between the two leaders, Israel reported it would reopen additional crossings into Gaza by land and sea to facilitate more aid into the territory.
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