Israel-Hamas war: The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to permit unrestricted access for food aid into Gaza, challenging Israel’s assertion that it is not obstructing aid deliveries. Following an emergency measure in January mandating Israel to admit emergency aid, a panel of judges at the UN’s top court issued the ruling unanimously. They emphasized the deteriorating living conditions in Gaza, stating that famine and starvation are becoming prevalent.
In reaction to a plea from South Africa, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) directed Israel to promptly collaborate with the United Nations to guarantee the unimpeded delivery of urgently required basic services and humanitarian aid to Palestinians across Gaza.
Palestinian officials report that Israel’s retaliatory offensive has resulted in over 32,000 deaths in Gaza and displaced 1.7 million out of 2.3 million inhabitants, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the territory. At the onset of the offensive, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza, later allowing limited amounts of aid to enter. However, aid organizations argue that the quantities reaching Gaza fall short of what is needed, accusing Israel of hindering deliveries. Israel refutes these allegations and criticizes aid groups for inadequate delivery coordination.
The UN recently warned of “catastrophic levels of food insecurity” for 1.1 million people in Gaza, with a significant increase in acute malnutrition among children, particularly in the northern part of the strip.
The United Nations reported this month that 1.1 million individuals in Gaza are experiencing “catastrophic levels of food insecurity,” highlighting a dire humanitarian situation. Additionally, there has been a “staggering escalation” in the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition, with nearly a third of children under the age of two in the northern part of the strip affected.
The ICJ stated that it made the decision to issue additional orders “in view of the worsening conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza,” particularly the spread of famine and starvation.
“Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine . . . but that famine is setting in, with at least 31 people, including 27 children, having already died of malnutrition and dehydration according to the [UN],” said the court in its order.
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