Israel Faces Allegations of Weaponizing Aid Against Gaza in World Court Hearing

During the initial hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), representatives from the U.N. and Palestine accused Israel of violating international law by restricting humanitarian aid to Gaza. Since March 2, Israel has prohibited all supplies from entering the Gaza Strip, which is home to 2.3 million residents. The situation has deteriorated significantly, as food reserves that were temporarily available during a ceasefire have been almost entirely depleted. At the hearings, the U.N.’s legal counsel emphasized Israel’s responsibility as an occupying power to facilitate humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza.

Elinor Hammarskjold highlighted the urgency of allowing relevant U.N. agencies to operate for the benefit of the local population, given the current humanitarian crisis. Palestinian representative Ammar Hijazi accused Israel of wielding humanitarian aid as a weapon of war, leading to widespread starvation among the people in Gaza. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the hearings as a “circus,” claiming that the court had become politicized. He criticized the U.N. for not taking action against employees of its Palestinian refugee agency who he alleged had connections to militant groups.

Saar asserted that the intention behind these proceedings was to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense amidst accusations that Hamas was misappropriating humanitarian aid, a claim the organization has denied. The ICJ, known for its role in interpreting international law, was tasked to provide an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations related to aid facilitation for Palestinians. Although such opinions hold significant legal and political implications, they are non-binding and lack enforcement mechanisms. After these hearings conclude, it may take months for the court to present its advisory opinion.