Overview

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) completed five days of hearings on Israel's obligations under international law to enable humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Israel has blocked the entry of food, fuel, and medicine into Gaza since March 2, 2025, intensifying an ongoing humanitarian crisis.
• The UK and Norway argued that Israel's blockade violates international law, citing obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention to allow unhindered relief efforts.
• US representatives contended that aid obligations should be limited by military necessity and Israel's security concerns, disputing broader interpretations of international law.
• The ICJ's advisory opinion, although nonbinding, could influence international norms on humanitarian access and the legal immunities of UN agencies and personnel.