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The United Nations’ highest court will begin hearings on Monday to address Israel’s humanitarian obligations to Palestinians, as Gaza remains under a crippling blockade more than 50 days after aid was halted.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will host five days of sittings, beginning with statements from UN representatives at 10:00 am (0800 GMT), followed by a submission from Palestinian officials.
Over the week, delegations from 38 countries, including the United States, China, France, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, will present their views to the 15-judge panel.
Regional organisations such as the League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union are also expected to address the court.
The hearings come in response to a UN General Assembly resolution passed in December, urging the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion “on a priority basis and with the utmost urgency.” Norway led the initiative, which gained broad international support.
At the heart of the proceedings is the UN’s request for the court to clarify Israel’s legal responsibilities toward ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian supplies critical for the survival of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents.
Israel maintains strict control over the entry of international aid into the besieged territory and fully suspended aid deliveries on March 2, days before the collapse of a temporary ceasefire.
Since the renewal of hostilities on March 18, following resumed Israeli air strikes and ground operations, the UN estimates that roughly 500,000 Palestinians have been displaced. Officials describe the current humanitarian conditions as “likely the worst” Gaza has endured since the conflict escalated following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.
That attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people in Israel, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures. Israel has since launched a military bombardment that, according to Gaza’s health ministry, has killed at least 52,243 people, most of them civilian women and children. Since March 18 alone, more than 2,100 Palestinians have reportedly died.
While ICJ advisory opinions are not legally binding, they are considered to carry significant moral and legal influence. In a related ruling last July, the court found that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was unlawful and must end as soon as possible.
Haris Huremagic, a doctoral researcher at the Geneva Graduate Institute, commented that the current request for an opinion “reflects broad frustration with the lack of meaningful dialogue to address the dire situation in Gaza,” writing on the international law platform Voelkerrechtsblog.
The case also touches on deeper tensions, including Israel’s decision to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, from operating on its territory.
Israel accused some UNRWA staff of involvement in the Hamas attacks, but independent investigations have found no evidence substantiating these claims.
