The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to issue its judgment today on whether Israel violated international law by imposing a months-long blockade on humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is scheduled to issue its ruling today, Wednesday, on whether Israel has violated international law by imposing a months-long blockade on humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip.
Judges at the UN’s highest judicial body will also provide an assessment of the Israeli attacks that targeted UN staff and facilities within the Gaza Strip.
The court’s decision is expected to be a non-binding legal advisory opinion, but it could significantly increase international pressure on Israel to cooperate with the United Nations and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The ruling will also address whether Israel is obliged to cooperate with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
This will be the third decision by the court regarding Israel’s actions since the Israeli genocide in Gaza began more than two years ago.
In July of last year, the court in The Hague ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was illegal.
Previously, the court issued a ruling in the genocide case, ordering Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent the commission of genocide in Gaza. The request for this advisory opinion came from the United Nations General Assembly.
A few days ago, the government of South Africa affirmed that it is proceeding with its lawsuit against Israel at the ICJ on charges of committing the crime of genocide in the Gaza Strip, despite the declaration of a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian resistance factions.
This position reflects Pretoria’s insistence that legal accountability does not drop merely with the cessation of military operations but remains necessary to ensure justice for Palestinians.
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South Africa initially filed the lawsuit in December 2023, and the court later issued provisional measures demanding that Israel take urgent steps to protect the population and ensure humanitarian access.
Starting on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military, with American support, launched a genocidal war against the people of Gaza. This campaign has so far resulted in the deaths of over 68,000 Palestinians, with more than 170,000 wounded. The vast majority of the population has been displaced, and the destruction of infrastructure is unprecedented since World War II. Thousands of people are still missing.
In addition to the military assault, the Israeli blockade has caused a man-made famine, leading to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians—mostly children—with hundreds of thousands more at risk.
Despite widespread international condemnation, little has been done to hold Israel accountable. The nation is currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.
(The Palestine Chronicle)
