ICJ to examine Israel’s humanitarian responsibilities toward Palestinians

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to convene hearings in April, following a request from the United Nations to assess Israel's humanitarian obligations regarding the Palestinian population. This development arises after the UN General Assembly passed a resolution in December, calling for the ICJ, the UN's principal judicial body, to provide an advisory opinion on this pressing issue.

According to a recent statement from the ICJ, public hearings will commence on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the court's headquarters, the Peace Palace in The Hague. The proceedings will address Israel's interactions with UN entities and other international organizations that deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza, a region that has experienced devastating impacts from ongoing conflict.

The court announced it has received 45 written submissions from various states and international organizations, which will inform its examination of Israel's obligations toward the Palestinian people.

The ICJ’s hearings aim to explore the essential measures Israel must undertake to ensure the uninterrupted flow of supplies necessary for the survival of the Palestinian civilian population. Although the ICJ's decisions hold legal weight, the court lacks the mechanisms for enforcement, which often diminishes the immediate impact of its rulings.

Despite this limitation, the ICJ's judgments can amplify diplomatic pressure on Israel. In July, the court issued an advisory opinion labeling Israel's sustained presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as illegal, further complicating the already tense geopolitical landscape.

Currently, Israel maintains strict control over the international aid entering Gaza, a lifeline for the 2.4 million Palestinians facing dire humanitarian conditions in the besieged territory. In October 2024, the Knesset implemented legislation banning the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from functioning within Israeli territory or coordinating with Israeli authorities, following accusations against certain UN staff regarding their actions related to the events of October 7, 2023.

Since the cessation of the initial phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel has halted the distribution of humanitarian aid and restricted electricity supplies to the region, exacerbating already critical conditions for its residents.