A senior Palestinian official has accused Israel of blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of its military strategy, describing the denial of assistance as a “weapon of war.”
Ammar Hijazi, addressing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the start of a week of hearings, told the court that “starvation is here” and that humanitarian aid is being deliberately obstructed. His statements come as the court examines Israel’s legal obligations towards UN aid agencies operating in Gaza, focusing on the urgent delivery of humanitarian supplies. The hearings, which involve representatives from dozens of countries and organizations, will culminate in an advisory opinion on Israel’s responsibilities under international law.
Hijazi highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, stating that “All UN-supported bakeries in Gaza have been forced to shut their doors. Nine of every ten Palestinians have no access to safe drinking water.” He added that the storage facilities for aid organizations are now empty.
Israel has maintained strict control over the flow of aid into Gaza, halting deliveries on March 2, just days before a ceasefire that had reduced hostilities for 15 months collapsed. The United Nations has reported that at least 500,000 Palestinians have been displaced since mid-March, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The ICJ has been urged to rule swiftly on the matter, but the court’s opinion may take several months. While advisory opinions from the ICJ are not legally binding, they are regarded as holding significant legal and moral weight. The court will consider whether Israel has a duty to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of aid to the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has dismissed the proceedings, claiming that the hearings represent a “systematic persecution” of Israel. “This case is part of a systematic persecution and delegitimization of Israel,” he said, emphasizing that the focus should be on the UN and its Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, rather than Israel.
The hearings come amid continued violence in Gaza. The Gaza Civil Defence agency reported that at least 16 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the territory, including a deadly strike on the Abu Mahadi family home in Jabalia, which killed eight people. The strikes have led to widespread destruction, and Palestinian rescuers describe horrific scenes of devastation.
The Israeli military has yet to comment on the latest strikes. Meanwhile, international law experts express frustration over the lack of meaningful dialogue to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza, which remains one of the world’s most volatile and politically sensitive regions.
