Today the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague wrapped up hearings on a United Nations General Assembly request for an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations under international law in the occupied Palestinian territories. UN and Palestinian advocates accused Israel of violating humanitarian law by blocking all aid into Gaza since March 2, leaving 2.3 million civilians on the brink of famine. The United States meanwhile defended Israel’s right to ban UNRWA, while Israel itself submitted written statements but did not appear in person. The Court will now deliberate before issuing its advisory opinion.

Background of the Case

The UN General Assembly brought this request to the ICJ to clarify whether Israel, as an occupying power, is legally obliged to allow and facilitate humanitarian assistance into Gaza and the West Bank under the Fourth Geneva Convention and other treaties.

This follows mounting evidence of dire shortages: since March 2, Israel has cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, and food stockpiled during a ceasefire earlier in the year has “all but run out.” 

Proceedings at The Hague

Key Participants

• UN and Palestinian Representatives: Argued that Israel’s blockade constitutes a breach of its international obligations, amounting to “destroying the fundamentals of life” in Gaza by denying vital aid.

• United States: Supported Israel’s view that, while it must permit aid generally, it is not compelled to work with UNRWA—Israel’s banned aid agency in Gaza—citing security concerns. 

• Israel: Did not attend oral hearings but submitted written statements defending its measures as necessary for national security and hostage negotiations. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar dismissed the proceedings as a “circus.”

Nature of Hearings

These public hearings, held behind closed doors for deliberations, featured states and organizations addressing legal questions such as the scope of Israel’s duties under occupation law and the interplay with humanitarian imperatives.

Allegations of Humanitarian Law Violations

• Starvation as a Weapon: UN and human rights bodies have warned that withholding aid violates the absolute duty of occupying powers to ensure civilian welfare. Over 52,000 Gazans—including 15,000 children—have died since the war began, and agora food reserves have collapsed. 

• Complete Siege Since March 2: The case spotlights Israel’s decision to halt all deliveries—food, fuel, medical supplies—deepening Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. NGOs predict “mass starvation” if the blockade persists. 

Humanitarian Impact on Gaza

Since the aid cutoff:

• Food Supplies Depleted: World Food Programme reports that Gaza’s food stocks have been exhausted, leaving families with nothing but scarce, overpriced rations. 

• Civilian Suffering: Hospitals face critical shortages of medicine and fuel, water systems fail, and malnutrition rates soar—conditions described by U.N. experts as “catastrophic.” 

• Calls for Compliance: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and dozens of Israeli NGOs have urged Israel to honor the ICJ’s provisional measures ordering the facilitation of aid. 

What Comes Next

With oral arguments concluded, the ICJ will now deliberate. Although advisory opinions are non-binding, they carry significant moral and legal weight. A ruling is expected in the coming months and could shape international expectations of occupation law and humanitarian access.

Stay tuned for further live updates as the Court moves towards its decision.