On the opening day of hearings at the International Court of Justice, United Nations and Palestinian representatives accused Israel of breaching its obligations under international law by blocking all humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Since March 2, 2025, Israel has fully cut off food, medicine and other essential supplies to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, leaving stockpiled relief dwindling to near exhaustion.
The ICJ was asked in December 2024 to issue an advisory opinion on Israel’s duty to facilitate aid deliveries by states and international bodies. While advisory opinions carry significant legal and political weight, they are not binding and the Court lacks enforcement power. After a hearing expected to span several days, judges typically take months to draft their opinion.
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At the World Court, Elinor Hammarskjöld, legal counsel for the UN, asserted that, as an “occupying” power, Israel has a clear obligation to allow and facilitate humanitarian aid for the people in Gaza, including unfettered access for all relevant UN entities. Palestinian envoy Ammar Hijazi added that Israel is using humanitarian aid as a “weapon of war,” warning that Gazans face imminent starvation without relief deliveries.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the proceedings in Jerusalem as a “circus,” accusing the UN of tolerating UNRWA staff with terrorist ties. Saar reiterated Israel’s position that aid will not enter Gaza until Hamas frees all remaining hostages. “They are abusing the court to force Israel to cooperate with an organisation infested with Hamas terrorists,” he said, referring to an August UN report that nine UNRWA employees suspected of involvement in the October 7, 2023 assault had been dismissed.