The Hague: Israel has dismissed the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings regarding its humanitarian responsibilities towards Palestinians, labeling the proceedings as 'antisemitic.' On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused the United Nations of being an anti-Israel and anti-Semitic entity, asserting that Israel will not partake in the hearings aimed at addressing its obligations to facilitate essential humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories.
According to Anadolu Agency, the ICJ public hearings commenced on Monday to assess Israel's duties concerning its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. The UN highlighted during the hearings that since March 2, no humanitarian aid or commercial goods have been permitted entry into Gaza, causing severe humanitarian repercussions in the area. The closure of Gaza's border crossings by Israel to food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid since March 2 has led to an escalating humanitarian disaster, as reported by various government bodies, human rights organizations, and international agencies.
In October 2024, the Israeli Knesset enacted two laws that prohibit the operations of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in Israel and its occupied territories. These laws, which took effect on January 30, also forbade Israeli authorities from engaging with the agency. Israel accuses UNRWA employees of participating in a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, a claim that the UN agency strongly denies. Since its establishment in 1949, UNRWA has been a vital support network for Palestinian refugees, aiding nearly 5.9 million individuals across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
The Israeli military reignited its offensive on Gaza on March 18, disrupting a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement established on January 19. Since October 2023, Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 52,200 Palestinians in the enclave, the majority being women and children. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.