New York – Saba:
The United Nations on Tuesday called on Israel to comply with the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) order regarding its occupation of Palestinian territories and to refrain from further acts of occupation.
Speaking at a press conference, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the ICJ had issued a binding provisional measure requiring Israel to halt all settlement activities. “We urge Israel to comply with this decision and refrain from any further occupation,” he stated, according to Anadolu Agency.
When asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks suggesting a full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, Haq declined to comment, describing the claim as “still in the realm of speculation.”
He reaffirmed that Palestinians in Gaza have been enduring “severe suffering” for more than 20 months.
Pressed on the implications of a possible renewed occupation of Gaza for UN operations, Haq sidestepped the question, saying only: “We’ve been in Gaza for two years and continue our presence despite the horrifying losses.”
Haq warned that humanitarian aid entering Gaza remains far from adequate, especially as famine levels continue to rise. He noted that the worsening malnutrition, particularly among children, could lead to long-term developmental issues due to weakened immune systems.
Gaza has been facing an unprecedented hunger crisis since Israel closed all crossings in early March, severely restricting the entry of food, fuel, and medical aid. Over time, residents have exhausted all food supplies, markets have been emptied, and finding a single loaf of bread has become nearly impossible. What little remains is sold at skyrocketing prices, turning starvation into one of the deadliest threats facing civilians.
Backed by the U.S. and European governments, Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza—launched on October 7, 2023—has resulted in the killing of 61,020 Palestinian civilians, the majority of whom are women and children, and the injury of at least 150,671 others, according to the latest yet still incomplete figures. Thousands remain trapped under rubble or in inaccessible areas, with rescue teams unable to reach them.
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