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Humanitarian aid

Israel Blocks Humanitarian Aid to Palestinians in Gaza as "Weapon of War"

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A top Palestinian official, Ammar Hijazi, has testified before the International Court of Justice that Israel is using humanitarian aid as a "weapon of war" to starve Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has banned all incoming aid, forcing UN-supported bakeries to shut down and leaving millions without access to safe drinking water. The situation in Gaza has deteriorated into a humanitarian crisis, with over 500,000 displaced and supplies dwindling. The International Court of Justice has begun a week of hearings to draw up an advisory opinion on Israel's humanitarian obligations to Palestinians.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israel has blocked all humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, leaving millions without access to basic necessities like food and water.
  • UN-supported bakeries in Gaza have been forced to shut down due to lack of supplies, leaving 9 out of 10 Palestinians without access to safe drinking water.
  • Israel has been accused of using humanitarian aid as a "weapon of war" to starve Palestinians in Gaza.
  • The situation in Gaza has been described as a humanitarian crisis, with over 500,000 displaced and supplies dwindling.
  • The International Court of Justice is hearing cases from dozens of nations and organizations to draw up an advisory opinion on Israel's humanitarian obligations to Palestinians.
  • Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, has dismissed the hearings as "part of a systematic persecution and delegitimisation" of the country.

Statistics:

  • Over 2.4 million Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip.
  • Israel has banned UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil, accusing some of the agency's staff of participating in the Hamas October 7, 2023 attack.
  • Israel has killed at least 52,243 people in Gaza since October 2023, mostly civilians.
  • At least 2,111 Palestinians have been killed since March 18.

Sources:

  • "A top Palestinian official told the International Court of Justice Monday that Israel was blocking humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza as a 'weapon of war'" - [Source: AFP]
  • "The UN's General Assembly asked the ICJ for an advisory opinion 'on a priority basis and with the utmost urgency'" - [Source: UN General Assembly]
  • "The UN estimates 500,000 Palestinians have been displaced since the two-month ceasefire ended in mid-March" - [Source: AFP]

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