UN court to open hearings on Israel’s aid obligation to Palestinians
The UN court will open hearings on Israel’s humanitarian obligations towards Palestinians today, marking a crucial step more than 50 days after the Gaza aid blockade. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will host five days of sittings, starting with United Nations representatives at 10:00 am (0800 GMT), followed by a Palestinian submission.
Another 38 countries, including the United States, China, France, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, will address the 15-judge panel. Organizations like the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union will also participate.
In December, the UN’s General Assembly approved a resolution urging the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion “on a priority basis and with the utmost urgency.” Norway led the resolution, which passed with a strong majority.
The UN seeks clarity on Israel’s obligations towards the UN, international organizations, and third-party states. It specifically focuses on ensuring the unhindered supply of urgently needed aid to the Palestinian civilian population.
Israel tightly controls all aid entering Gaza, home to 2.4 million Palestinians. Aid deliveries halted on March 2, just before the collapse of a ceasefire that had reduced fighting after 15 months of conflict.
Since mid-March, when the ceasefire ended, the UN estimates that 500,000 Palestinians have been displaced. Israel resumed air bombardment on March 18, followed by renewed ground assaults.
These actions have sparked what the UN calls “likely the worst” humanitarian crisis the occupied Palestinian territory has faced since the war began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
‘Broad frustration’ over humanitarian crisis
Israel’s military offensive has killed at least 52,243 people in Gaza since October 2023, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The UN court considers these figures reliable.
Since March 18 alone, at least 2,111 Palestinians have died. Meanwhile, Israel states its assault aims to force Hamas to free remaining captives. However, hostage families fear the operation could endanger their loved ones.
Although the ICJ’s advisory opinions are not legally binding, they are seen as carrying significant legal weight and moral authority. In July, the court ruled Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was “unlawful” and must end swiftly.
“The parties to the conflict have shown little commitment to comply with international law,” said Haris Huremagic, a PhD candidate at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Huremagic shared his views on the international law blog Voelkerrechtsblog.
He added, “The request for an advisory opinion reflects broad frustration with the lack of meaningful dialogue to address the dire situation in Gaza.”
Norway’s initiative followed Israel’s decision to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from operating on Israeli soil, sparking further concerns about aid access.
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