'It's time for action': Algeria urges UNSC investigating Israel's genocide of Gaza

Algeria has requested the UN Security Council to send an investigative mission to ascertain the facts of the genocide in the Gaza Strip.

"Regarding the situation in the Middle East, including Palestine, we urge the Security Council to act urgently to stop the genocide crimes in Gaza," said Nasim Kouaoui, the Algerian envoy to the United Nations, during an open session of the Security Council on Monday.

Algeria and Slovenia requested the session to discuss developments in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

If talks do not resume, I fear for the worst for civilians in Rafah, for the hostages held for more than 225 days, and for an overstretched humanitarian operation that remains on the brink in Gaza.

– @TWennesland to Security Council. https://t.co/ua4q3vefUA

— United Nations (@UN) May 21, 2024

Over 1.2 million Palestinians displaced from elsewhere in Gaza have been sheltering in Rafah.

According to the UN's report on Monday, more than 810,000 people have had to relocate from the city of Rafah in the past two weeks, crowding into other parts of the besieged coastal enclave without access to basic hygiene and infrastructure,

The latest wave of displacement in Gaza began in early May when Israel issued evacuation notices and launched military operations in Rafah, along the border with Egypt.

More than half of the enclave's civilians had sought refuge in the city after fleeing Israel's offence elsewhere in Gaza multiple times.

"The Zionist entity is carrying out a genocide in the Gaza Strip, which could lead to further violations of international law and more mass crimes," added the Algerian envoy. "The time for talk is over; it is time for action."

Moscow has also supported a call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to investigate every death of humanitarian workers in Gaza and mass graves of Palestinians in the strip.

Since gaining independence, Algeria has maintained strong connections with Palestine, pledging unconditional allegiance to the Palestinian cause — a commitment grounded in the shared long and bloody struggles of both nations under occupation.

In 2022, Algiers hosted mediation talks between rival Palestinian groups, leading to a reconciliation agreement that ended 15 years of discord between the factions.

Amid the war in Gaza, Algiers has taken a leading role in advocating for an immediate ceasefire in the Strip and securing permanent membership for Palestine at the UN. So far, it has failed in both endeavours, facing the US veto and support for Israel.

However, Algerian people remain unable to protest for Palestine amid an ongoing ban on all protests and demonstrations in the North African country.

The Algerian opposition is urging an immediate lift of the ban to ensure stronger support for the Palestinian people and a unified stance on freedom and resistance for both the Algerian and Palestinian people.