Egypt Daily News – Egypt’s ambassador Hatem Abdelkader, Assistant Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs and Egypt’s representative at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), strongly criticized Israel’s conduct in the occupied Palestinian territories during public hearings held at the ICJ in The Hague on Monday. The hearings are part of a five-day judicial review to issue an advisory opinion regarding Israel’s obligations toward the United Nations, its agencies, and institutions operating in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Abdelkader stated that Israel must allow all international organizations to operate freely in Palestinian territories, without bias or interference with their work and facilities. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of United Nations member states to strengthen the position of the Palestinian Authority to ensure it does not lose the ability to deliver essential services, including healthcare, education, and daily life necessities.
He highlighted that no humanitarian or political body other than UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) is capable of fulfilling these commitments. UNRWA, he said, has never stopped providing support and assistance to Palestinians, especially those in refugee camps.
Abdelkader affirmed that international law guarantees Palestinians the right of return without reduction or neglect, regardless of political stances. He stressed that Israel must not impose sanctions or obstacles to deny this right. He also criticized recent decisions by the Israeli Knesset that criminalize the work of UNRWA and restrict the operations of other humanitarian organizations, both in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
These actions, he said, have included documented attacks against both local and international humanitarian workers.
He warned that Israel is creating living conditions in Gaza that make life unsustainable, pointing to an Israeli strategy aimed at the systematic displacement of Palestinians from the region. According to Abdelkader, Israel’s actions clearly violate international law and humanitarian principles.
Despite the ICJ previously ruling that Israeli presence in Palestinian territories is illegal, Israel continues to defy international humanitarian law.
Egypt’s ambassador called on the court and international institutions to protect Palestinians and support their right to self-determination on their land. As an occupying power, he said, Israel is legally obligated to provide humanitarian and food aid under both international and humanitarian law.
He reiterated the irreplaceable role of UNRWA in delivering services and assistance in Palestinian territories and stressed that no international agency or its personnel—local or international—should be targeted or obstructed in carrying out their work.
In a broader indictment of Israeli conduct, Egypt’s Abdelkader accused Israel of launching deliberate attacks against civilians in Gaza, noting that women and children constitute the majority of the victims. He also condemned repeated strikes on Palestinian infrastructure and humanitarian aid workers, describing them as brutal violations of international treaties and conventions.
He asserted that these systematic practices aim to hinder humanitarian aid and are part of a broader Israeli policy to deny Palestinians their right to self-determination. He pointed to the recent announcement of evacuation orders by Israel, which have left Palestinians without access to essential services such as food, water, and healthcare.
The ICJ hearings, which began on April 28 and will continue through May 2, 2025, feature oral pleadings from 44 countries and four international organizations. Palestine is presenting its arguments throughout most of the first day, with Egypt and Malaysia also taking part. The outcome of these proceedings will inform the Court’s advisory opinion on Israel’s legal responsibilities in the occupied territories.
