London/Hague: The UK government lawyers have strongly argued that the Supreme Court of the United Nations (UN), the International Court of Court (ICJ), has said that Israel should immediately resume humanitarian aid in Gaza. The UK Foreign Office’s Legal Advisor, Sally Languch, told the court on Thursday that Israel would have to allow the Red Cross to meet Palestinian prisoners.
What is the whole matter and why is hearing?
In fact, last year, the United Nations General Assembly sought an opinion from ICJ about what are the legal responsibilities of Israel to allow UN agencies and international organizations to work in occupied Palestinian areas. This was the fourth day of the ongoing hearing on this case, especially in Gaza, there was a serious discussion on the issue of stopping human help.
What did Britain’s legal advisor say?
Sally Langerish said in clear terms, “Israel must ensure that the people of Gaza have to ensure complete, fast, safe and without any hindrance, including food, water, electricity and treatment.” Britain’s Foreign Minister David Lammy (citing the statement of) had also earlier described a dangerous decision to stop assistance in Gaza, causing terrible problems to the people there.
On Friday itself, the Red Cross warned that the entire mechanism of assisting in Gaza is on the verge of collapse, where children are hunger and people are fighting for water.
Talk of state status to Palestine
Meanwhile, Britain has confirmed that it is interacting with France and Saudi Arabia to formally give a state status to Palestine. Significantly, Spain, Norway and Ireland have already recognized Palestine as an independent nation.
Israel and UNRWA dispute
Another major issue is a dispute between Israel and the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA). Israel has stopped UNRWA from working in Gaza and West Bank by passing a law. Israel alleges that some UNRWA employees were involved in an attack by Hamas in October 2023, killing 1,218 Israeli.
However, Britain has said that it will continue to support UNRWA’s fair work, but also said that if an employee is found involved in the attack, it should be strictly investigated.
Prisoners and hostages issue
Langeris also said in the court that Israel would have to allow Red Cross to meet Palestinian prisoners, as many reports have revealed bad behavior with them. He also admitted that it is wrong to not allow the Israelis to be held by Hamas to be held hostage in Gaza, but by making it an excuse, Israel cannot stop the Red Cross (from meeting Palestinian prisoners).
