The United Nations Human Rights Council will conduct an urgent debate in Geneva regarding Israel’s airstrike on September 9, 2023. The attack targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar and has drawn significant international attention. According to Hamas, the airstrike resulted in the deaths of five of its members, although it stated that its leadership was not among the casualties.
The military action has led to increased tensions among US-allied Gulf Arab states, particularly affecting relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. These two nations had normalised diplomatic ties in 2020. The council’s debate was initiated at the request of Pakistan, representing the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Kuwait, speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Regional Leaders Express Concerns
The request for the debate coincides with meetings among leaders of Arab and Islamic states in Doha. There, they are expected to express concerns that Israel’s actions, including the recent attack, threaten efforts to foster coexistence and normalise relations within the region. A draft resolution from this gathering highlights fears of escalating hostility and instability.
The Israeli mission in Geneva has responded to the decision to hold the debate, characterising it as “absurd.” The mission stated, “Any product it renders will be a stain on the human rights mechanisms.” This marks the tenth urgent debate since the council’s establishment in 2006.
Israel faces widespread accusations regarding its military actions in Gaza, where it has been implicated in significant civilian casualties. According to local authorities, over 64,000 people have died during the nearly two-year military campaign against Hamas. The accusation of genocide against Palestinians has been supported by a prominent group of genocide scholars.
In its defence, Israel cites its right to self-defence, particularly following the attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli sources. The ongoing conflict and the international reactions it provokes continue to shape diplomatic relations in the region.
As the UN debate approaches, the implications of the airstrike and the broader context of Israeli-Palestinian relations remain at the forefront of global attention, drawing intense scrutiny from various nations and international organisations.
