The ICJ Opens Hearings on Israel's Humanitarian Obligations
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will commence a week of hearings on Israel's humanitarian obligations towards the Palestinians on Monday, more than 50 days after a total blockade on aid entering war-torn Gaza was implemented.
Representatives from the United Nations will begin a five-day marathon at the ICJ, the highest court of the UN located in The Hague (Netherlands), starting at 10:00 AM (08:00 GMT) before a panel of 15 judges. The State of Palestine will be the first to present its case, taking up most of the day.
This week, 38 other countries including the United States, China, France, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union, will also present their cases.
In December, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution by a large majority, presented by Norway, urging the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion "as a matter of priority and urgency".
The resolution requests the ICJ to clarify what Israel is required to do regarding the presence of the UN, its agencies, international organizations, or third states to "ensure and facilitate the unhindered delivery of essential supplies necessary for the survival of the Palestinian civilian population".
Israel controls all international aid flows, which are vital for the 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Aid was interrupted on March 2, just days before a fragile ceasefire collapsed after 15 months of continuous fighting.
The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, condemned on Friday "a man-made famine driven by political motives".
According to the United Nations, approximately 500,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the end of the two-month ceasefire.
Israel resumed its air and ground attacks on March 18, triggering what the UN described as "probably the worst" humanitarian crisis in the territory since the onset of the war, which was initiated by attacks from the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7, 2023.
General Frustration
This attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 individuals on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
Israel's military retaliation has since killed at least 52,243 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to figures from the territory's Health Ministry, which are considered reliable by the UN.
At least 2,111 Palestinians have been killed since March 18.
Israeli officials repeat that military pressure is the only way to compel Hamas to release the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, including the 34 fatalities announced by the army.
ICJ advisory opinions are not legally binding, but this one is expected to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel.
In January 2024, the ICJ ordered Israel to prevent any potential acts of genocide and to allow humanitarian aid to access Gaza. In March 2024, it called for new Israeli measures in response to "the looming famine" in the Palestinian territory at the request of South Africa, which accuses the Israeli state of genocide.
"The parties involved in the conflict have shown little commitment to respecting international law," says Haris Huremagic, a doctoral student at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva (Switzerland). "The request for an advisory opinion reflects the general frustration with the lack of meaningful dialogue to address the disastrous situation in Gaza."
Last July, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion declaring the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories "illegal," demanding it cease as soon as possible.
Norway's resolution initiative was triggered by an Israeli law prohibiting UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil and coordinating its activities with the Israeli government from the end of January.
Israeli authorities accuse some UNRWA employees of participating in the attacks on October 7, 2023.
Independent investigations indicate that Israel has not provided evidence regarding these allegations.
© Agence France-Presse
