Hamas Welcomes ICJ Hearings on Israel’s’ Humanitarian Obligations Towards Palestinians

By Staff, Agencies

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has welcomed the beginning of proceedings at the top UN court on the obligation of "Israel," as an occupying entity, to ensure and facilitate humanitarian aid to all Palestinians, particularly those in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas issued a statement on Monday after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) opened a week of hearings on "Israel's" breach of international law as it has refused to let aid into Gaza and banned the UN's Palestinian aid agency, UNRWA.

The Hague-based tribunal will issue an advisory opinion about "Israel’s" obligation at a later stage.

Although the decision is not binding, it carries legal weight and could affect governments’ policies toward the usurping entity.

Hamas said the ICJ has highlighted the "Israeli" blockade of aid into Gaza as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and exposed the occupation’s use of starvation as a weapon of war against civilians.

The resistance group also underlined the need for enforcing the court’s previous rulings, which "Israel" has deliberately ignored by continuing its genocide in Gaza, escalating policies of siege and starvation, and targeting civilian infrastructure.