• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing arguments regarding Israel's humanitarian obligations in Gaza.
• Israel's blockage of humanitarian aid has led to severe shortages, with many Palestinians lacking basic necessities.
• Over 40 countries are participating, with serious accusations against Israel for potential violations of international law.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) initiated hearings to clarify Israel's humanitarian obligations to Palestinians, particularly amid a deteriorating situation in Gaza, where food, medical supplies, and fuel are critically scarce. These proceedings, which began on April 28 and will run until May 2, were prompted by a 2023 request from the UN General Assembly, seeking an advisory opinion concerning Israel's responsibilities as an occupying power, especially after its ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating. The Palestinian envoy, Ammar Hijazi, emphasized that "starvation is here," noting that nine out of ten Palestinians have no access to safe drinking water, as full aid delivery has been obstructed since March 2023, according to Indiatimes and Huffpost.

Throughout the hearings, representatives from various countries have voiced severe criticism of Israel's approach to humanitarian aid in Gaza. South African ambassador Zane Dangor described Israel's actions as constituting "atrocity crimes, persecution, apartheid and genocide," as they continue to deny the population essential aid necessary for survival. This sentiment was echoed by Saudi Arabia’s envoy, Mohammed Saud Alnasser, and Colombian representative Mauricio Jaramillo Jassir, who all stressed that Israel was violating its international obligations. Alnasser specifically condemned Israel's actions as "hideous conduct" and claimed it has disregarded legal mandates to provide aid, according to Middle East Eye and TRT Global.

Further escalating the tensions, a US official at the ICJ hearings raised concerns about UNRWA's impartiality, arguing that Israel had legitimate grounds for questioning its operations. This remark came amidst allegations of UNRWA staff's involvement with Hamas, claims that have not been substantiated to the court's satisfaction. The official claimed that these issues diminished Israel's obligations to allow UNRWA to operate unimpeded, a viewpoint that contrasts sharply with the critical view of many other countries regarding Israel's humanitarian blockade. Critics argue that waiting for legal opinions while the humanitarian crisis deepens places many lives at risk, according to Indiatimes.

The ICJ proceedings occur as the humanitarian infrastructure in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with the World Food Programme announcing it has exhausted its food reserves in the territory. Reports indicate that humanitarian aid has diminished to dangerous levels, with families reportedly sharing scant resources like a single can of beans. The urgency and moral weight of this situation have prompted international representatives to call for immediate legal and humanitarian interventions, viewing the court's advisory opinion as critical to addressing the plight of Palestinians trapped in these conditions, according to Huffpost and Middle East Eye.