Last week, Belgium advocated for the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
“Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to provide humanitarian assistance to the occupied population to the fullest extent of its means,” stated international law professor Vaios Koutroulis from the Free University of Brussels, representing Belgium on Wednesday. He added that it is clear the civilian population in the Gaza Strip is inadequately supplied and that Israel must accept and facilitate relief efforts from international organisations, third countries, and impartial humanitarian bodies.
Belgium also expressed concern for the safety of humanitarian workers in the Gaza Strip, noting that more than 400 have been killed since 7 October 2023. Koutroulis emphasised that targeting rescuers and humanitarian workers is prohibited, especially when they are in vehicles marked with appropriate signs and flashing lights.
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Moreover, Belgium defended the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which Israel accuses of being complicit in terrorist activities. Internal investigations have been conducted, leading to several dismissals, accompanied by an independent evaluation, Belgium noted.
Antoine Misonne, Director-General of Legal Affairs at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, argued, “Israel has not provided evidence supporting its claim that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organisations.” He stated that Belgium rejects the portrayal of UNRWA as a critical component of Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure, arguing that such unilateral actions against the UN, and particularly against UNRWA, are unjustified and violate obligations undertaken by UN member states.
In December, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution, proposed by Norway, requesting the ICJ to urgently provide an advisory opinion.
The resolution seeks clarification from the ICJ on what Israel is required to do regarding the presence of the UN, its agencies, international organisations, or third states to ensure and facilitate the unimpeded delivery of urgent supplies essential for the survival of the Palestinian civilian population.
While the ICJ’s advisory opinions are not legally binding, this opinion is expected to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel.
For two months, Israel has imposed both a commercial and humanitarian blockade on Gaza. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini condemned the situation ten days ago as “a man-made famine driven by political motives.”
