Amnesty International yesterday condemned what it described as a genocide being committed by Israel “live on air” in Gaza, where Palestinians have been driven to despair by the ongoing assault and denial of humanitarian aid.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) also stated that Israel’s refusal to allow humanitarian aid into the territory is ‘silently killing’ children and the sick above all.
“The world is watching a genocide live on their screens,” wrote Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard in the foreword of the annual human rights report released yesterday.
Callamard continued to say, “States have looked on, seemingly powerless, as Israel kills thousands of Palestinian women and men, carries out massacres against entire multi-generational families, and destroys homes, livelihoods, hospitals, and educational institutions.”
Additionally, Saudi Arabia sharply condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza in a statement delivered before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday – denouncing its “blatant violations of international law,” in the Gaza Strip, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
‘Nothing justifies such barbarity:’ Saudi Arabia slammed Israel’s war on Gaza at ICJ.
“Less than a year ago, the court heard that Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied territory, including its settlement practices, its continued occupation and its annexation of parts of that territory are flagrant violations of international law that must be brought to an end as a matter of urgency,” said Mohamed Saud Alnasser, Saudi Arabia’s representative at the ICJ.
“Sadly, but predictably, Israel chose to ignore the court’s ruling, showing it considered itself above the law,” he said.
The ICJ is hearing statements from numerous countries and organisations as it prepares an advisory opinion on Israel’s humanitarian responsibilities toward Palestinians, more than 50 days into the complete blockade of aid to war-torn Gaza.
The ICJ’s advisory opinions are not legally binding, but the court believes they “carry great legal weight and moral authority.”
Alnasser criticised Israel for preventing critical international humanitarian efforts in the besieged Palestinian enclave where more than half of the population is at a high risk of starvation.
“The obligations of Israel to allow the UN, other international organisations and third states to carry out activity in the occupied Palestinian territory – including providing such assistance – could truly make a difference between life and death for many people,” he said.
He added: “Israel’s hideous conduct, which piles illegality upon illegality, is well documented – its most ruthless application has been the siege conditions imposed over the Gaza Strip since October 2023.”
Israel is not participating in the week-long hearings scheduled by the ICJ but hit back immediately on Monday, dismissing the hearings as “systematic persecution and delegitimisation” of the country.
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