During the first day of hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), UN and Palestinian representatives accused Israel of violating international law by blocking aid to Gaza, where 2.3 million residents face starvation since Israel cut off supplies on 2 March. UN legal counsel Elinor Hammarskjold emphasized Israel’s obligation as an occupying force to facilitate humanitarian aid, while Palestinian representative Ammar Hijazi claimed Israel weaponizes aid. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the hearings as politicized and reiterated that no aid would be allowed until Hamas releases hostages, as the ICJ prepares to issue an advisory opinion on the matter.
