On Tuesday, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued a stark warning, accusing the Israeli occupation of using its blockade on Gaza to facilitate a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing through forced displacement and mass killing — all aimed at cementing its occupation of the besieged enclave.
The statement was delivered by Mohammed Saud Al-Nasser, Saudi Arabia’s representative at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. His remarks came during the second day of week-long hearings examining Israel’s humanitarian obligations towards Palestinians under international law, where Israel is recognised as a “military occupying power.”
A Global Reckoning at the ICJ
The ICJ began its sessions on Monday — 56 days after Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip, blocking all aid and entry points as part of its ongoing genocidal war since October 7, 2023.
Representatives from the United Nations and the State of Palestine accused Israel of gross violations of international law by refusing to allow critical humanitarian aid into Gaza — a region home to over 2.3 million Palestinians. Since March 2, the occupation has barred all supplies, including food and medicine, from reaching civilians — leaving the population on the brink of famine.
In her address, Elenor Hammerhult, a legal adviser for the UN, stated unequivocally:
“As an occupying power, Israel has a clear obligation to allow and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
“No Justification for Israel’s Brutality”
In his address, Saudi envoy Al-Nasser stressed that Israel’s impunity has emboldened it to escalate its inhumane actions:
“The culture of impunity has led Israel to shamelessly block aid to the Palestinian people — a heinous act that builds upon its long history of unlawful behaviour.”
He continued:
“Nothing can justify Israel’s brutality in preventing the entry of food, medicine, and fuel into Gaza.”
Al-Nasser warned that these actions directly serve Israel’s goal of ethnic cleansing:
“By starving and displacing Palestinians, Israel is enabling its long-term ambition to occupy Gaza.”
Ignoring the World, Violating the Law
He condemned the occupation regime for consistently ignoring international demands to halt its war, and for turning Gaza into:
“A graveyard for thousands of innocent lives.”
Al-Nasser reaffirmed that under international humanitarian law, Israel is obliged to:
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- Fulfill the basic needs of the Palestinian people as an occupying power.
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- Protect their rights to health, education, and security.
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- Facilitate and protect the operations of humanitarian agencies, particularly UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees).
Defending UNRWA and Humanitarian Workers
Al-Nasser also addressed Israel’s recent targeting of UNRWA, criticising the judicial persecution of its staff as a blatant violation of international law.
“Instead of harassing humanitarian workers, the occupation must guarantee their safety and ease their access to Palestinian areas.”
He dismissed the Zionist regime’s accusations against UNRWA employees, pointing to findings from an independent international investigation that debunked the Israeli claims of political bias.
Saudi Arabia concluded its address by demanding legal immunity and protection for all humanitarian personnel working in the occupied Palestinian territories, calling it essential to prevent further violations by the Israeli military.
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