UNSC: Algeria Calls for Inquiry into Crimes Against Humanitarian Workers
Algeria has urged for an independent investigation into the crimes perpetrated by the Zionist entity in Gaza against humanitarian workers while advocating for the establishment of a mechanism to hold the perpetrators accountable.
In his address to the Security Council, Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amar Bendjama, emphasized the “necessity of conducting independent investigations and ensuring accountability,” highlighting that UN humanitarian personnel have been systematically targeted by the Zionist occupation in Gaza.
“This is the right moment to discuss Resolution 2730, which calls for respect and protection for humanitarian workers, particularly those from the UN,” Bendjama stated during a Security Council meeting focused on the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers in armed conflicts.
“Since October 7, 2023, over 400 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza, including eight foreigners. We demand justice for them all. It is unacceptable that the murder of UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) personnel is subjected to a UN inquiry while hundreds of innocent Palestinian lives do not receive the same attention or justice,” he asserted.
“Resolution 2730 urges all states and parties involved in armed conflicts to respect and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law under all circumstances. From the outset of the negotiation process concerning this resolution, Algeria has made it clear: without a robust mechanism to enforce compliance with international humanitarian law and to end impunity, all efforts will be futile,” he reminded.
“The ongoing violations of international humanitarian law, as witnessed in Gaza today, reflect our collective failure. The international community is failing to honor its obligations,” he lamented, pointing out that the actions of the Zionist occupier in the occupied Palestinian territories are characterized by “immunity and impunity.”
“What we are witnessing today in Gaza sets a dangerous precedent for current and future conflicts where no rules are observed,” he warned.
Adopted amid the ongoing aggression by the Zionist entity against the people of Gaza, “Resolution 2730 serves as a timely and urgent reminder of our duty to respect and protect humanitarian personnel. However, it has not had a tangible impact on the ground, and humanitarian workers continue to be targeted with impunity,” he stated.
“It is time to end this cycle of impunity through a mechanism that allows for accountability. We must move beyond the selective application of Resolution 2730,” he insisted.
The diplomat recalled that 15 humanitarian workers were recently discovered buried in a mass grave near an ambulance and vehicles clearly identified as humanitarian aid vehicles, asserting that it is crucial to speak candidly about what is occurring in the Gaza Strip.
Bendjama underscored the importance of protecting humanitarian personnel, reminding all present that attacks against them are considered war crimes under international law.
He emphasized that the year 2024 has become the deadliest on record for humanitarian personnel, with 377 individuals killed worldwide—nearly a hundred more than in 2023 and three times the fatalities reported in 2022. He specified that of these 377 victims, 207 lost their lives in Gaza. “This tragic reality forces us to reconsider the relevance of Resolution 2730, the applicability of international humanitarian law, and even the effectiveness of the Security Council itself,” he stated.
