By: ATN News
New York: This afternoon, the United Nations Security Council will convene for a high stakes briefing on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.” The session is set to address the urgent request made by Algeria, with Slovenia’s backing, to discuss the recent escalation in Gaza and the devastating Israeli airstrikes on August 10, which targeted a school sheltering displaced individuals.
The focal point of today’s briefing is likely to be the airstrikes conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the Tabi’een school compound in Gaza City. According to the latest update from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the school was housing hundreds of internally displaced families when it was struck. The assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 90 people, including six women and 11 children. Palestinian officials in Gaza, as reported by OCHA, indicate that at least 70 of the casualties were transported to Al Ahli hospital, which was overwhelmed and critically short of essential supplies.
The IDF has defended the attack, alleging that the compound was being used as a military facility by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, claims which these groups have rejected. The IDF has disputed the casualty figures provided by Gaza’s Hamas-run Government Information Office, asserting discrepancies between their own data and that reported by Palestinian sources.
The strike has provoked significant international condemnation. The UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory condemned the frequent targeting of shelters where displaced Palestinians have sought refuge, accusing the IDF of disregarding civilian casualties and violating international humanitarian law (IHL). The office emphasized that while the co-location of military objectives with civilians is a breach of IHL, it does not absolve Israel from its obligation to minimize civilian harm.
The briefing is also expected to address the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Lisa Doughten, Director of the Financing and Partnerships Division at OCHA, may highlight recent evacuation orders issued by Israel, which have exacerbated the suffering of already displaced populations. A recent OCHA update indicates a severe decline in humanitarian aid entering Gaza since the closure of the Rafah Crossing in May, with daily aid shipments falling from 169 trucks in April to less than 80 in the following months. Additionally, approximately 63% of structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT).
Council members are anticipated to express grave concern over the high civilian death toll resulting from the August 10th airstrikes. While some members may vocally criticize Israel’s actions, others might adopt a more restrained approach. The US, a staunch ally of Israel, is expected to reiterate its support for Israel’s right to self-defense while urging more measures to protect civilians. In contrast, countries such as Guyana have previously condemned the IDF’s failure to distinguish between civilian and military targets.
The briefing will also likely revisit calls for adherence to IHL principles—distinction, proportionality, and precaution—and may reference the recent commemoration of the Geneva Conventions’ 75th anniversary. Members are expected to reiterate their calls for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, while lamenting the lack of progress in implementing Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2735, which endorsed a three-phase ceasefire proposal by US President Joe Biden.
The session will also touch upon the recent joint statement by the US, Egypt, and Qatar urging renewed discussions between Israel and Hamas, with talks scheduled to resume on August 15 in Doha or Cairo. The framework agreement, based on principles outlined by Biden, remains under negotiation, though recent developments have raised doubts about its implementation.
Finally, Council members are likely to address the rising regional tensions, particularly following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. The incident, allegedly involving Israeli involvement, has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. While Iran has yet to retaliate, its Permanent Mission to the UN has indicated that any response will be carefully timed to avoid undermining the potential ceasefire.
As the Security Council convenes today, the international community awaits further deliberations on these pressing issues, hoping for concrete actions to address the escalating crisis and pave the way for renewed peace efforts in the Middle East.
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