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Rabat – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) began on Monday five days of hearings on Israel’s humanitarian obligations to Palestinians, at a time when warnings of famine in Gaza continue to grow.
The hearings are expected to result in a non-binding advisory opinion. While Israel has often ignored such decisions in the past, experts say this opinion will still add pressure and shape how countries around the world deal with Israel.
The hearings follow a UN General Assembly resolution, introduced by Norway and other countries last year, asking the ICJ to examine whether Israel has violated international law by targeting the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
In October 2024, Israel’s parliament passed two laws accusing UNRWA of harboring “Hamas terrorists” and cutting all ties with the agency. As a result, Israel stfopped providing visas to UNRWA staff, which seriously affected the delivery of food and aid to Gaza.
During the hearings, 38 countries and several organizations will present their arguments. It is expected that countries supportive of Israel, such as the US, will speak later in the week.
Elinor Hammarskjold, a Swedish lawyer and diplomat speaking for the UN, told the court that no humanitarian aid or goods have been allowed into Gaza since March 2, leading to devastating consequences, Al Jazeera reported.
She said that Israel must allow aid to reach civilians and support basic services like hospitals, schools, and children’s care centers. She also recalled that at least 295 UN personnel have been killed since October 7.
Speaking at the court, Ammar Hijazi, Palestine’s ambassador to the Netherlands, described Gaza as a “killing field” where Israel has blocked food, water, medicine, and fuel for over two months.
He said Israel’s actions aim to permanently annex Palestinian land and destroy Palestinian existence. He added that Israel, as an occupying power, is violating international law and the UN Charter, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Irish lawyer Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, representing Palestine, gave further details about Israel’s violations. She explained how Israel has entered UN schools, shut down UN premises, blocked the movement of UN staff, and attacked UN food stores, shelters, and hospitals.
She said these attacks have been repeated in every major military assault on Gaza since at least 2009.
The ICJ hearings are expected to last until the end of the week, but it could take several more weeks before the court announces its opinion.
