poursuite des audiences sur les obligations humanitaires de l’entité sioniste en Palestine occupée
Summary of the Court Hearings in The Hague: Obligations of Israel in Occupied Palestinian Territories
Public hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague continue regarding a consultative request about Israel’s obligations concerning the activities of the United Nations, international organizations, and third states in the occupied Palestinian territories. This week-long session will feature representatives from 40 countries and various regional organizations, including the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the African Union (AU), presenting their positions.
Algeria, represented by its ambassador to the Netherlands, Salima Abdelhak, participated in the opening session. Algeria’s legal team includes Maya Sahli Fadel, a human rights expert and vice president of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Samia Bourouba, an expert in international law and a member of the African Union Commission on International Law. Algeria had previously contributed a written submission in line with the procedures outlined by the ICJ.
The hearings began with a statement from UN representative Elinor Hammarskjold, who highlighted the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza, caused by arbitrary measures that block humanitarian aid since March 2. The Palestinian representative to The Hague, Ammar Hijazi, condemned the unprecedented violations committed by Israel against civilians during the ongoing conflict that escalated on October 7, 2023.
Notably, 40 UN member states, alongside the AU, Arab League, and OIC, lodged complaints against Israel following its ban on activities by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). In late 2024, 137 states voted in favor of referring this issue to the ICJ, with only 12 voting against.
The current proceedings emphasize the legal responsibilities of Israel under international law while shedding light on the dire humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian population amid ongoing military actions. Through these hearings, international entities seek to hold Israel accountable for its actions and clarify its obligations in the context of international humanitarian law.
