The World Health Organization (WHO) chief has declared Gaza a “death zone,” denouncing the inhumane health and humanitarian situation that continues to worsen amid the ongoing Israeli siege. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported being outraged by an Israeli attack on its shelter in al-Mawasi. The assault resulted in the death of two family members of MSF staff and left six others injured.
The latest figures reveal that Israel has killed at least 29,313 Palestinians, mostly women and children, wounded 69,333 others since the launch of it war on Gaza on 7 October.
Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s representative, commenced a comprehensive presentation addressing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. Safadi highlighted the urgent need for the international community to take immediate action in the face of what he described as an alarming situation.
Safadi pointed out that the ICJ had signalled the necessity for a thorough examination into the possibility of genocide resulting from the Israeli aggression.
“The aggression in Gaza must end, and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions,” Safadi declared. He claimed that no country should be exempt from the principles of international law, and Israel’s actions have been conducted with a complete disregard for these fundamental legal standards.
Tomohiro Mikanagi, a legal adviser of Japan’s Foreign Ministry, presented a case for a two-state solution during the ongoing proceedings at the ICJ. Mikanagi emphasised Japan’s support for the coexistence of Israel and a future independent Palestinian state. He stressed that the longstanding conflict must not be resolved through violence or unilateral actions but through negotiations, dialogue, and concerted efforts to build mutual trust among the parties involved.
“Japan firmly believes in the importance of upholding international law as the foundation for resolving conflicts,” stated Mikanagi. This principle, he argued, is fundamental in fostering a just and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Ireland took a firm stance against Israel’s prolonged occupation of Palestinian territory and settlement activities, labelling them as severe breaches of peremptory norms of general international law.
Ireland’s representative specifically highlighted Israel’s infringement on the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and the prohibition of acquiring territory by force. Ireland’s representative at the ICJ condemned the 7 October attacks by Hamas and maintained that Israel had exceeded these limits in its military response to the situation.
China has responded to the United States’ stance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, presenting a differing perspective on the role of international organisations in addressing the conflict. The US argued that the matter is bilateral and should not involve international organisations. However, China countered this viewpoint, claiming that the UN should play a crucial role in addressing the self-determination of the Palestinian people. The Chinese representative emphasised the global significance of the issue and the need for a collective effort to ensure a just and lasting resolution.
China challenged the US argument regarding Israel’s right to self-defence, claiming that, as a foreign nation occupying Palestinian territory, the right to self-defence is more applicable to the Palestinians. This highlights a fundamental disagreement on the interpretation of international law and the application of principles in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Notably, the Chinese representative highlighted the importance of obtaining an advisory opinion from the ICJ, pointing out that it would serve as a guiding framework for future negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has called for increased restrictions on Palestinians’ freedom of movement and the distribution of more weapons to Israeli citizens. Ben-Gvir emphasised the urgency of implementing stricter measures in response to the recent security incident. He expressed his belief that limiting Palestinians’ freedom of movement is a necessary step to enhance overall security in the region.