The Hague decision intensifies diplomatic pressure on Israel

The recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) states that the Zionist regime must allow the entry of essential humanitarian aid into Gaza and facilitate relief operations carried out by United Nations agencies, including the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The Court also reaffirmed that large-scale population transfers are prohibited under the Geneva Conventions.

Although delayed, the ICJ has issued a firm ruling declaring that the Zionist regime must permit the entry of necessary humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and ensure that the basic living needs of its population are met.

Yuji Iwasawa, President of the International Court of Justice, said the Court believes that Israel is obligated to cooperate with and facilitate relief efforts provided by the United Nations and its agencies, including UNRWA, which serves refugees and displaced persons.

The Court emphasized that the Zionist regime, as an occupying power, must guarantee essential provisions for civilians, including food, water, and other necessities of life.

Iwasawa added: “As an occupying power, Israel is obliged to ensure the basic needs of the local population, including essential means necessary for their survival.”

As the world watches the implementation of a ceasefire following two years of relentless bombardment and devastating oppression of Gaza’s besieged population, the Netanyahu regime once again stands cornered and exposed as a perpetrator of genocide.

None of the numerous pretexts used by the Zionist regime to justify its inhumane policies—such as using starvation as a weapon and depriving civilians of vital resources—were accepted by the International Court of Justice.

According to The Chronicle, as expected, this genocidal regime, led by war criminals, dismissed the ruling as “politically motivated.” Such hasty reactions, including the rejection of the ICJ’s decision, are entirely predictable and consistent with what the international community has witnessed throughout 24 months of Israeli atrocities.

However, Israel’s rejection of the ICJ ruling does not absolve it of the legal, moral, and political consequences stemming from the Court’s decision.

The Court also found that there is no evidence linking UNRWA staff to Hamas—a false claim deliberately fabricated and widely propagated by the Zionist regime and its military to justify the destruction of UNRWA facilities and the killing of its personnel.

According to The Guardian, the essence of the ruling is that the Zionist regime has violated the immunities of the United Nations enshrined in its Charter and has also ignored its humanitarian obligations as an occupying power under the Geneva Conventions.

Consequently, this is expected to lead to renewed calls for the suspension of Israel’s UN membership. Another implication of the ruling is that UN member states may now seek compensation from Israel for violations of the immunity of UN staff.

Demands for accountability and reparations for the bombing of UN facilities, as well as for the termination of cooperation with UNRWA, constitute rights that UN member states should now invoke.

The ICJ judges also determined that mass displacement or expulsion of populations in occupied territories is prohibited under the Geneva Conventions. The ruling specifies that the Zionist regime has no right to obstruct humanitarian aid, force hundreds of thousands into overcrowded areas, or restrict UN presence in ways that create conditions compelling residents to flee.

During the announcement, Yuji Iwasawa stated: “An occupying power can never invoke security reasons to justify the blanket suspension of all humanitarian activities in occupied territory.”

The ruling also reiterated that Israel must ensure that the basic needs of Gaza’s civilians are met. After reviewing the evidence, the Court found that the local population in Gaza has been grossly under-supplied.

Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, welcomed this clear legal opinion in a social media post, stating that the UN has the necessary resources to immediately scale up humanitarian operations in the area.

The ICJ’s proceedings are separate from the ongoing investigations into Israel’s war crimes in Gaza being conducted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In late 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Sky News, summarizing the ICJ’s decision, said the ruling was delivered in a measured tone, with some of its sharpest criticisms embedded within legal phrasing and secondary clauses.

The outlet added: “Yet, when you piece it all together, it amounts to a strongly critical condemnation of Israel’s conduct in the occupied territories—not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”

Although Netanyahu has rejected the ruling, neither he nor his circle of war criminals can deny that this decision represents another nail in the coffin of Zionism—and that the rage against this regime will only intensify.