Top U.N. court wraps week of hearings on humanitarian aid to Gaza
The Hindu
United Nations court hearings on Israel's obligations for Palestinian aid could impact U.N. missions worldwide
The top United Nations court on Friday (May 2, 2025) wraps a week of hearings on what Israel must do to ensure desperately needed humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Last year, the U.N. General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to give an advisory opinion on Israel's legal obligations after the country effectively banned the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, the main provider of aid to Gaza, from operating.
Experts say the case could have broader ramifications for the United Nations and its missions worldwide.
The hearings are taking place as the humanitarian aid system in Gaza is nearing collapse and ceasefire efforts remain deadlocked. Israel has blocked the entry of food, fuel, medicine and other humanitarian supplies since March 2. It renewed its bombardment on March 18, breaking a ceasefire, and seized large parts of the territory, saying it aims to push Hamas to release more hostages.
Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians and aid staff as part of its war with Hamas and did not attend the hearing. The country did provide a 38-page written submission for the court to consider.
The hearings focused on provision of aid to the Palestinians, but the U.N. Court's 15 judges could use their advisory opinion to give legal guidance on the powers of the world body.
“The court has the opportunity to clarify and address questions about the legal immunities of the United Nations,” Mike Becker, an expert on International human rights law at Trinity College Dublin, told The Associated Press.
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