Israel Allegedly Employs Aid as a Focal Point of Conflict in Gaza during World Court Trial
In an unfolding drama at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Palestine and UN representatives accused Israel of flouting international law by blocking aid to Gaza. This accusation was made during the initial hearings focusing on Israel's requirement to aid deliveries and enable humanitarian aid access for the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip.
Since late March, Israel, in an unprecedented move, has completely severed all supplies to the densely populated Gaza Strip. With food stocks depleted after a ceasefire earlier this year, the situation is dire.
Opening the hearings, the U.N.'s legal counsel stressed Israel's obligation to allow international organizations to carry out activities for the welfare of the local population in occupied territories, as per international humanitarian law.
Palestinian representative Ammar Hijazi paints a grim picture, accusing Israel of using humanitarian aid as a weapon of war while the people of Gaza starve. In stark contrast, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the ICJ as a circus, stating that Israel has submitted its position in writing.
Amidst this tense exchange, there are allegations that the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, is harboring Hamas militants. Israel has accused UNRWA of abusing the court to coerce Israel to work with an organization infested by Hamas terrorists.
The ICJ was tasked in December to issue an advisory opinion on Israel's duties to facilitate aid to Palestinians delivered by states and international groups, including the United Nations.
Israel has maintained its stance that it would refuse entry of goods and supplies into Gaza until Hamas returns all hostages. It alleges that Hamas is hijacking humanitarian aid, a claim disputed by Hamas.
The U.N. has indicated that nine UNRWA staff might have had a role in Hamas' attacks, and these individuals have been dismissed. Another Hamas commander, identified as a UNRWA employee, was killed in Gaza in October, as per Israel.
Advisory opinions from the ICJ carry both legal and political weight, although they are nonbinding and the court lacks enforcement powers. After the hearings, the ICJ is likely to take several months to form its opinion.
Meanwhile, advisory opinions are based on international humanitarian law, which requires occupying powers like Israel to ensure the welfare of the civilian population they control, guarantee the safety of civilians and aid workers, facilitate humanitarian aid efforts, and adhere to the prohibition of using aid as a weapon of war. Fulfilling these obligations would mean Israel complies with international law, thus addressing claims against it.
- The UN's legal counsel emphasized during the hearings that Israel, as an occupying power, must facilitate activities for the welfare of local populations in occupied territories, as per international humanitarian law.
- Israel's refusal to allow international organizations to carry out humanitarian aid activities in Gaza, as alleged by Palestine and UN representatives, according to international humanitarian law, could be considered a violation of international law.
- The Palestinian representative accused Israel of stockpiling humanitarian aid as a weapon of war in Gaza, further straining the situation for the 2.3 million residents.
- The ICJ's advisory opinion on Israel's duties to facilitate aid to Palestinians will carry both legal and political weight, although it is nonbinding, and the court lacks enforcement powers. The opinion could potentially help facilitate a resolution to the complex issues surrounding war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news in the region.
