The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold hearings next month regarding Israel's humanitarian obligations toward Palestinians after it blocked aid deliveries to Gaza.The United Nations General Assembly had previously passed a resolution requesting the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on the matter. According to a court statement, the hearings will begin on April 28.The resolution, proposed by Norway, was adopted by a large majority. It calls on the ICJ to clarify what measures Israel must take to ensure and facilitate the unobstructed delivery of urgent and essential supplies necessary for the survival of Palestinian civilians.Although humanitarian aid had been flowing into Gaza following the ceasefire that took effect last January, Israel resumed blocking aid deliveries at the beginning of current month.Norway's initiative came in response to a new Israeli law that effectively halted the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from the end of January, banning its activities in both the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.Two days ago, the United Nations reiterated the urgent need to prevent hunger from spreading once again in Gaza, as Israel continues to block the entry of humanitarian aid into the territory
