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8h ago

ICJ Examines Israel's Gaza Aid Blockade and UNRWA Ban

The International Court of Justice hears global arguments on Israel's legal obligations, as the blockade deepens Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

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The International Court of Justice open hearings into a United Nations request for an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations to allow humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank, in The Hague, Netherlands, Monday, April 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Ammar Hijazi (R), ambassador and permanent representative of the Palestinian Authority to international organizations in the Netherlands, looks on as he attends the ICJ hearing.
The UN Palestinian refugee agency has said that more than a million Gazans are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition

Overview

  • Israel boycotted the ICJ hearings in The Hague, which aim to assess its legal duties regarding humanitarian aid and the UNRWA ban.
  • Since March 2, Israel has blocked all aid to Gaza's 2.3 million residents, citing Hamas hostage negotiations, leading to severe starvation and malnutrition.
  • UN legal counsel argued that Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to permit and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery under international law.
  • Palestinian representatives accused Israel of weaponizing starvation and blocking aid to exert political pressure, violating international humanitarian principles.
  • The ICJ's forthcoming advisory opinion, while nonbinding, could shape international norms on humanitarian access and increase diplomatic pressure on Israel.