THE HAGUE: The UN's top court will next week hand down its view on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967, a case in which some 52 countries made submissions.
Any opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice would be non-binding, but it will come amid mounting international legal pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza sparked by the brutal October 7 Hamas attacks.
"A public sitting will take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague (on July 19) ... during which Judge Nawaf Salam... will read out the Advisory Opinion," the ICJ said on Friday.
The ICJ held a week-long session in February to hear submissions from countries following a request from the United Nations late last year.
The UN has asked the ICJ to hand down an "advisory opinion" on the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem".
Most speakers during the hearings have demanded that Israel end its occupation, which came after a six-day Arab-Israeli war in 1967.
But the United States said Israel should not be legally obliged to withdraw without taking its "very real security needs" into account.
Speakers also warned a prolonged occupation posed an "extreme danger" to stability in the Middle East and beyond.
Israel did not take part in the oral hearings.
It submitted a written contribution, in which it described the questions the court had been asked as "prejudicial" and "tendentious".
The case before the court is separate from one brought by South Africa against Israel for alleged genocide during its current offensive in Gaza.
South Africa has gone to the ICJ several times arguing that the dire humanitarian situation means the court should issue further fresh emergency measures.
In an initial ruling on January 26, the ICJ ordered Israel to do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its military operation in Gaza.
It also called for the unconditional release of hostages taken by Palestinian militant group Hamas during its October 7 assault that sparked the war.
UN court to give view on consequences of Israel occupation
https://arab.news/pnwdg
UN court to give view on consequences of Israel occupation
- Any opinion delivered by the International Court of Justice would be non-binding, but it will come amid mounting international legal pressure on Israel
- "A public sitting will take place at the Peace Palace in The Hague ... during which Judge Nawaf Salam... will read out the Advisory Opinion," the ICJ said
At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza
- The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp
- Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month
At least 12 people including children were killed overnight in Gaza by Israeli strikes, hospital workers said Wednesday.
The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to staff at the Al-Aqsa hospital, which received the bodies. Among the dead were three children, including two brothers whose bodies arrived in pieces, according to the hospital’s morgue.
Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month. It has cut off the territory’s 2 million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to pressure the militant group to release hostages.
The strikes come after more than two dozen people were killed earlier this week in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya.
Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.
UAE arrests cell smuggling weapons to ‘Sudanese army’
DUBAI: UAE security services have thwarted an attempt to illegally transfer weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces, state-run WAM News Agency reported.
“The country’s security services foiled an attempt to illegally smuggle weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces,” read a statement on WAM.
UAE's Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi said authorities have prevented the illegal transfer of “a quantity of military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces following the arrest of members of a cell involved in unauthorized mediation, brokering and illicit trafficking of military equipment, without obtaining the necessary licenses.”
The statement said the defendants were arrested during an inspection of ammunition in a private aircraft at one of the country’s airports.
Authorities have seized approximately five million rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm Goryunov-type ammunition that were found on the plane.
Al-Shamsi said the investigation revealed the involvement of some Sudanese military leaders, including former intelligence Chief Salah Gosh and a political figure close to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. It also said several Sudanese businessmen were also implicated.
US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality
THE HAGUE: A US official on Wednesday told the International Court of Justice there were “serious concerns” about the impartiality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
ICJ judges are holding a week of hearings to help them formulate an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations toward UN agencies delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
“There are serious concerns about UNRWA’s impartiality, including information that Hamas has used UNRWA facilities and that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7th terrorist attack against Israel,” said Josh Simmons from the US State Department legal team.
Syrian state media says 11 dead in new clashes near Damascus
- Clashes erupted overnight between security forces and “outlaw groups” near Damascus
DAMASCUS: Syria state media said Wednesday that 11 people had been killed in clashes that erupted overnight between security forces and “outlaw groups” near Damascus.
“The number of dead after outlaw groups targeted civilians and security forces” in the Sahnaya area “has risen to 11 dead and a number of wounded,” state news agency SANA said, citing a health ministry statement, without elaborating on the identity of those killed.
Iraq to host Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17
- Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said invitations had been extended to most Arab leaders
DUBAI: Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed on Tuesday that the Arab Summit will be held in Baghdad as planned on May 17.
Hussein said that invitations had been extended to most Arab leaders, with many showing positive responses, state news agency INA reported.
The minister emphasized the strong interest among Arab states in participating, reflecting regional support for Iraq’s hosting of the summit.
