AhlulBayt News Agency: During ongoing hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Palestinian Ambassador Ammar Hijazi accused Israel of weaponizing humanitarian aid as Gaza grapples with catastrophic consequences from an extended blockade.
Hijazi underscored the dire situation, stating that Palestinians are enduring starvation, displacement, and death, while humanitarian organizations attempting to alleviate their suffering face systematic obstruction by Israeli forces. He further criticized Israel’s Supreme Court for endorsing the blockade by dismissing appeals for essential supplies, exacerbating the crisis in Gaza.
Speaking on behalf of Palestine at the ICJ, Irish lawyer Blinne Ni Ghralaigh argued that Israel’s actions constitute not only inhumane treatment but genocide, as corroborated by the UN Commission of Inquiry and the broader human rights community. She emphasized Israel’s continued efforts to obstruct UN investigations and conceal evidence of its crimes.
Throughout the week-long hearings, 38 nations—ranging from the United States to Saudi Arabia—are presenting arguments before the ICJ’s panel of judges regarding Israel’s compliance with international law. Regional organizations, including the League of Arab States, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and African Union, are also urging Israel to fulfill its obligations for humanitarian aid delivery into Gaza.
While the ICJ’s advisory ruling will be nonbinding, it is expected to amplify pressure on Israel as international courts increasingly denounce its actions.
Israel’s full siege on Gaza, initiated on October 7, 2023, followed Hamas’s Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched in retaliation against escalating atrocities. Despite agreeing to a ceasefire in January 2024, Israel blocked food and medical supplies to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents by March, further escalating tensions.
Since October 2023, Israeli aggression has resulted in over 52,314 Palestinian fatalities and 117,792 injuries, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
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