Overview

• The International Court of Justice has begun hearings on Israel's legal obligations to facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza, following its March 2 blockade and ban on UNRWA operations.
• Forty states and four international organizations are participating in the hearings, which aim to assess whether Israel's actions breach the UN Charter and international humanitarian law.
• Gaza's humanitarian situation has reached critical levels, with food, fuel, and medical supplies completely exhausted and community kitchens on the verge of closure.
• Israel defends its blockade by citing concerns over Hamas's alleged misuse of aid and infiltration of UNRWA, claims that remain disputed and unsubstantiated by evidence.
• The ICJ's advisory opinion, though non-binding, could influence international pressure on Israel and shape global legal precedents on humanitarian obligations in conflict zones.