Palestinian ambassador informs court that aid was employed as a ‘weapon of war’ while Israeli foreign minister laments ‘delegitimisation’ of his nation. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun hearings to assess Israel’s culpability in the humanitarian crisis surrounding Gaza during its conflict with Hamas.
The hearings, which opened on Monday in The Hague and will continue throughout the week, are a response to a request last year by the United Nations General Assembly requesting the court to consider Israel’s duty to guarantee the delivery of basic supplies to Gaza.
Since the beginning of the war 18 months ago, Israel has prevented aid, and Palestinians have been suffering from critical shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine. In the next five days, 38 nations – the United States, China, France, Russia and Saudi Arabia, among others – will speak to the 15-judge panel on whether Israel’s actions are in line with international law.
The League of Arab States, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and African Union will also have their say on Israel’s responsibilities to deliver aid to Gaza. Senior Palestinian official Ammar Hijazi informed the judges that Israel was preventing aid from being used as a “weapon of war.”
No food or medicine has entered the 2.3 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip since March 2 when Israel began what has become its longest-ever blockade of the region. It was followed two weeks later by the breakdown of a two-month ceasefire. These are the facts. Starvation is here. Humanitarian aid is being used as a weapon of war,” Hijazi said.
The UN has requested the ICJ to provide an advisory opinion “on a priority basis and with the utmost urgency.” No ruling is imminent, but the advisory opinion of the court will likely inform future international legal responses.
