ICJ Considers Israel’s Gaza Aid Restrictions

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has started a week of hearings to examine whether Israel is violating international law by blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, a situation affecting 2.3 million people since March 2. This follows a December UN General Assembly resolution, supported by 137 nations and opposed by Israel, the US, and 10 others, seeking an advisory opinion on Israel’s legal obligations to facilitate aid. Israel maintains that no aid will enter Gaza until all hostages are released by Hamas and accuses Hamas of diverting supplies, which Hamas denies. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with food almost depleted and the World Food Programme confirming exhausted stocks. Germany, France, Britain, and the US have urged Israel to allow aid, and US President Donald Trump has reportedly pressed Prime Minister Netanyahu to permit deliveries. Israel is not participating in the hearings, while the Palestinian territories, the UN, and nearly 40 other nations and groups are presenting arguments.