ICJ Holds Public hearings to Address Zionist Entiy’s Obligations toward UN Agencies in Palestine
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, began public hearings on Monday to examine an advisory opinion regarding the Zionist entity’s obligations toward the United Nations and its agencies operating in the occupied Palestinian territories. The hearings aim to clarify the Zionist entity’s responsibilities under international law, particularly in relation to humanitarian access and the protection of civilians.
Elinor Hammarskjöld, legal advisor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, stated before the Court that “Israel”, as an occupying power, must ensure the safety of medical personnel and facilitate humanitarian operations to safeguard civilian lives. She stressed that “Israel” has breached its obligations concerning the immunity of UN staff and warned that interference in the work of international agencies could have serious legal consequences.
Hammarskjöld particularly highlighted that “Israel”’s suspension of UNRWA operations constitutes an overreach of authority and may represent an unlawful extension of sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territories, including East El-Quds.
The hearings, scheduled from April 28 to May 2, 2025, will see participation from forty-four countries and four international organizations. This judicial process follows a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly last December, based on a proposal by Norway, calling on the ICJ to provide an advisory opinion on the Zionist entity’s obligations to facilitate urgent humanitarian aid and refrain from obstructing its delivery.
Hammarskjöld reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to investigating allegations of bias within its agencies and emphasized the critical need to uphold international law to protect civilians and ensure that humanitarian workers can carry out their missions without facing unacceptable risks.
