ICJ to begin hearings on 'Israel's' blockade, Gaza humanitarian crisis
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The ICJ opens hearings on "Israel's" obligations as Gaza faces famine due to over 50 days of aid blockade, with 38 nations presenting arguments.
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A protester holding a Palestinian flag stood outside the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ahead of the hearings regarding "Israel's" obligations to Gaza, in The Hague Netherlands, April 28, 2025 (AP)
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will begin a week-long series of hearings on Monday to examine "Israel's" humanitarian obligations toward Palestinians, as the Gaza Strip endures over 50 days under a total blockade that has halted the entry of vital aid.
The ICJ hearings on Gaza will open at 10:00 am (0800 GMT) in The Hague, starting with a submission from Palestinian representatives, followed by arguments from 38 countries, including the United States, China, France, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
The League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the African Union are also expected to present their positions before the 15-judge panel.
These proceedings stem from a December resolution by the UN General Assembly, led by Norway and passed with broad support, calling on the court to urgently issue an advisory opinion on "Israel's" legal responsibilities under international law.
The United Nations has asked the court to clarify "Israel's" obligations to facilitate the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, in coordination with UN agencies, international organizations, and third-party states. This comes as the Gaza humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with growing concerns over famine risk due to the blockade.
"Israel" maintains strict control over all international aid entering the Gaza Strip, home to 2.4 million Palestinians. Aid deliveries were fully halted on March 2, just before the ceasefire collapsed, ending a temporary reduction in hostilities after 15 months of conflict.
The ongoing Israeli aid blockade has pushed Gaza to the brink of catastrophe, with supplies rapidly depleting and Palestinian civilians facing severe restrictions on access to essential resources.
The Palestinian delegation and international supporters argue that the blockade constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, and are urging the ICJ to hold "Israel" accountable for the worsening conditions in Gaza. The hearings will focus on "Israel's" compliance with its legal duties to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid amid reports of extreme shortages and widespread suffering.
Flour supplies ran out in Gaza: UNRWA
UNRWA stated that its flour supplies in the Gaza Strip had been entirely depleted on April 27 due to Israel's tightened siege and the persistent restrictions on humanitarian aid.
In a post on X, UNRWA confirmed that its flour stock had been depleted for days while also noting that the World Food Programme reported on April 25 that its food stocks in Gaza were entirely exhausted.
The UN agency emphasized that nearly 3,000 trucks carrying life-saving aid remain stranded without permission to enter Gaza while the Israeli occupation persists in blocking humanitarian shipments through closed crossings since March 2.
UNRWA's chief Philippe Lazzarini stated on April 25 that children in the Gaza Strip are “starving” due to "Israel’s" aid blockade, Anadolu Agency reported.
In a post on X, Lazzarini stated that “#Gaza: children are starving. The Government of "Israel" continues to block the entry of food + other basics. A manmade & politically motivated starvation. Nearly 2 months of siege. Calls to bring in supplies are going unheeded."
His statement came as the World Food Programme (WFP) revealed it has distributed its final food supplies to kitchens in Gaza.
