In brief
In unprecedented hearings at the International Court of Justice, the United Nations has criticized Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. As of March 2, relief has been barred from entering the area, escalating an already dire situation. The absence of an Israeli legal delegation has led to claims of bias in the proceedings.
Israel has maintained its blockade, arguing that it is a lawful action aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining Israeli hostages. However, according to the UN and humanitarian organizations, the blockade exacerbates the suffering of Palestinians amid ongoing conflict, which has already left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions. During a temporary ceasefire earlier this year, aid was allowed to flow, but the situation worsened after the truce ended, affected by recent Israeli military operations. Elinor Hammarskjöld, the UN's chief legal advisor, stressed the dire humanitarian consequences of the blockade in court.In December, the UN General Assembly requested the International Court to provide an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations under international law regarding humanitarian support for Palestinians. The hearings are expected to involve speeches from around 40 participating governments, but a decision from the court is likely to take considerable time.
