UN Aid Agency's Fairness Towards Palestinians Under Scrutiny

UN Aid Agency's Fairness Towards Palestinians Under Scrutiny

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HAGUE, NETHERLANDS - A US official voiced "grave doubts" regarding the impartiality of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) during a hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday.

The ICJ is deliberating an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations concerning humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, scheduled for a week.

Josh Simmons, from the US State Department legal team, expressed reservations about UNRWA, stating, "There are substantial concerns about UNRWA's impartiality, given indications that Hamas has exploited UNRWA facilities and staff were involved in the October 7, 2023, offensive against Israel."

Nearly 40 nations and organizations, including the League of Arab States, are participating in these hearings centered on UNRWA. Israel, on the other hand, declined to participate in the ICJ proceedings, labeling them as part of an ongoing attempt to malign the country.

Simmons underscored Israel's justification for questioning UNRWA's impartiality, stating, "Given these concerns, it's evident that Israel holds no compulsion to allow UNRWA specifically to deliver humanitarian aid. UNRWA isn't the only avenue for rendering humanitarian assistance in Gaza."

The controversy surrounding UNRWA's impartiality goes back to accusations that Hamas utilized UNRWA facilities and that some staff were implicated in the October 2023 attack that triggered the Gaza conflict. However, Israel has yet to provide definitive evidence to back these claims [1][3][4].

Israel justifies its prohibition on UNRWA operations, citing occupation law, under which an occupying power can restrict organizations jeopardizing its security. The U.S. supports this stance, arguing that Israel is under no obligation to allow UNRWA's presence owing to the perceived risks [1][2]. A UN inquiry conducted in April 2024 found no evidence of employee wrongdoing but noted Israel's failure to share specific concerns since 2011 [1].

Detractors contend that the ban is part of broader attempts to undermine UNRWA, which continues to be a significant aid provider in Gaza [3].

The ICJ's advisory opinions may not be legally binding, but they are widely accepted as carrying significant legal weight and moral authority. In an effort to shield Israel from a one-sided focus on the advisory opinion, Simmons advocated, "The court should refrain from providing findings concerning compliance with any obligations in this matter or the legal implications of any potential breaches."

Israel tightly regulates the inflow of international aid essential to the 2.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. After halting aid deliveries to Gaza on March 2, 20XX, supplies have dwindled, and the UN's World Food Programme recently announced it had dispatched its final available food supplies [5].

The global medical aid organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed concern about the time it takes for the ICJ to form its advisory opinion, warning that more Palestinians face unnecessary deaths as the world remains inactive [6].

Palestinian delegate Ammar Hijazi accused Israel of utilizing humanitarian aid as a "tool of war," adding, "Nine out of ten Palestinians have no access to safe drinking water. Storage facilities of the UN and other international agencies are empty." He emphasized, "These are the facts. Starvation is here."

1. The US official raised concerns about the impartiality of UNRWA during the hearings at the ICJ.
2. The ICJ is considering an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations related to humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.
3. Josh Simmons from the US State Department questioned UNRWA's impartiality, citing Hamas' exploitation of their facilities.
4. Over 40 nations and organizations, including the League of Arab States, are participating in the hearings about UNRWA.
5. Israel declined to participate in the ICJ proceedings, viewing them as part of an attempt to delegitimize the country.
6. Simmons highlighted Israel's right to question UNRWA's impartiality due to concerns about Hamas' use of their facilities.
7. Controversy over UNRWA's impartiality stems from accusations that Hamas utilized their facilities and that some staff were involved in the October 2023 attack.
8. Israel has not provided definitive evidence to back these claims, as reported by [1][3][4].
9. Israel justifies its prohibition on UNRWA operations based on occupation law.
10. The U.S. supports Israel's stance, stating that the country is under no obligation to allow UNRWA's presence due to perceived risks.
11. A UN inquiry conducted in April 2024 found no evidence of employee wrongdoing but noted Israel's failure to share specific concerns since 2011.
12. Critics argue that the ban on UNRWA is part of broader attempts to undermine the organization, which continues to be a significant aid provider in Gaza.
13. Advisory opinions from the ICJ may not be legally binding, but they hold significant moral authority.
14. Simmons urged the court to avoid providing findings concerning compliance with any obligations.
15. Israel tightly regulates the flow of international aid to the 2.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
16. Supplies have dwindled in Gaza since Israel halted aid deliveries on March 2, 20XX.
17. The UN's World Food Programme recently announced it had dispatched its final available food supplies.
18. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed concern about the delay in the ICJ forming its advisory opinion.
19. More Palestinians face unnecessary deaths as the world remains inactive, according to MSF.
20. Palestinian delegate Ammar Hijazi accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a "tool of war."
21. Hijazi highlighted that nine out of ten Palestinians have no access to safe drinking water.
22. He emphasized that storage facilities of the UN and other international agencies are empty.
23. Hijazi stated, "Starvation is here."
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