poursuite des audiences sur les obligations humanitaires de l’entité sioniste en Palestine occupée
Summary of the Ongoing ICJ Hearings on Humanitarian Access in Gaza
LA HAYE – The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently holding public hearings in The Hague regarding a request for an advisory opinion on the obligations of the Israeli entity concerning the humanitarian access of the United Nations, international organizations, and third states in the occupied Palestinian territories. These deliberations, spanning three consecutive days, commenced on Monday against the backdrop of a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has been under a complete blockade for over 50 days.
On the first day of the hearings, UN representative Elinor Hammarskjold underscored the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza, attributing it to the Israeli entity’s arbitrary actions that have prevented humanitarian assistance from reaching the population since March 2, 2023. Hammarskjold’s statements echo the urgent need for action to address the suffering of civilians trapped in the ongoing conflict.
The second day featured Algeria’s intervention, represented by Maya Sahli Fadel, an expert on human rights and former vice-chair of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. She urged the court to compel the Israeli entity to allow humanitarian access for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied territories. She described the situation in Gaza as "one of the worst humanitarian failures of our generation," emphasizing the obligation of the occupying power to facilitate humanitarian efforts.
The ICJ has scheduled the hearings to continue through Friday, emphasizing the seriousness of the claims brought forth by various states and organizations. A coalition of 40 UN member states, including representatives from the African Union, Arab League, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, has formally lodged complaints against the Israeli entity for blocking UNRWA’s operations. Notably, in late 2024, 137 countries voted in support of referring this issue to the ICJ, while only 12 opposed the motion.
This ongoing litigation highlights the growing international scrutiny of the humanitarian implications of the Israeli blockade and the responsibilities of occupying powers. As voices for humanitarian access gain momentum, the ICJ may play a crucial role in shaping future actions and policies regarding relief efforts in Gaza and beyond.
