Israel / Palestine
On July 19, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion affirming that the continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, including the establishment of settlements, is illegal under international law. This opinion reinforced earlier provisional measures issued by the ICJ in January and March 2024, which called for Israel to cease the expansion of settlements and to dismantle those that had already been established. Israel’s persistent disregard for these binding decisions constitutes a clear violation of its obligations under international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions and the principles outlined in the United Nations Charter.
The World Embassy Desk (WED) underscores the critical importance of monitoring the situation between Israel and Palestine as a test of the integrity and credibility of international law. The selective enforcement and politicization of legal standards in this context have deeply undermined the very principles upon which the international legal order was founded. When violations of international humanitarian and human rights law occur without consistent accountability, the legitimacy of multilateral frameworks is severely compromised.
At the core of the conflict remains unresolved grievances rooted in displacement, occupation, and other acts amounting as war crimes. Beyond the immediate context, the Israel-Palestine conflict also presents a persistent risk of regional spill over, with implications that extend far beyond the borders of the parties directly involved. Escalations have historically fuelled instability in neighbouring countries, strained diplomatic relations, and served as a catalyst for wider polarization in global forums. The conflict also contributes to the radicalization of non-state actors, disrupts economic and humanitarian aid flows, and heightens tensions within diaspora communities worldwide. Left unaddressed, these ripple effects threaten to destabilize broader regional dynamics and undermine collective efforts toward peace and cooperation in the Middle East and beyond.
April 2025, Israeli Minister Publicly Advocates Bombing Humanitarian Aid Depots in Gaza, Alleges Support from U.S. Lawmakers
On April 27, 2025, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made public statements asserting that leading U.S. Republican officials supported his proposal to target humanitarian aid depots in Gaza, including those operated by international organizations. The remarks, delivered during a political gathering in Jerusalem and later reported by multiple media outlets, drew swift condemnation from humanitarian agencies and legal experts worldwide.
Ben-Gvir’s endorsement of strikes on food distribution points—at a time when the United Nations has declared Gaza to be on the brink of famine, with over 2 million people facing catastrophic food insecurity—has raised alarm about the deliberate targeting of protected humanitarian infrastructure. If carried out, such actions would not only amount to serious violation of the principles of humanity and neutrality embedded in international humanitarian law but could also constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The remarks also prompted serious concerns regarding the normalization of extremist rhetoric within official state discourse and its potential to erode international legal norms. While state responsibility remains with Israel, the alleged alignment with foreign political actors further complicates accountability and reinforces calls for depoliticized enforcement of humanitarian protections.
The WED reaffirms its commitment to preserving the integrity of international law and condemns any public endorsement of actions that would weaponize humanitarian aid or target those attempting to alleviate human suffering. The deliberate targeting of aid structures not only undermines the rule of law but signals a dangerous precedent in international relations.
April 2024, Israel Expands Unlawful Buffer Zone in Gaza, Encompassing Entire City of Rafah
On the 10th of April 2025, reports emerged indicating that the Israeli military intends to designate the entirety of Rafah—constituting approximately 20% of the Gaza Strip—as a buffer zone. The proposed area, situated between the Morag and Salah al-Din (Philadelphi) highways, would mark the first instance in which a densely populated city is wholly subjected to such a military classification. This development follows a pattern of prior expansions in Gaza City and its southern surroundings.
Under international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, the forcible transfer of civilians and the destruction or seizure of property not justified by military necessity are strictly prohibited. The systematic appropriation of territory through the establishment of buffer zones in occupied land may amount to unlawful annexation and a breach of the occupying power’s legal obligations. Such actions also contravene the prohibition against altering the demographic composition of occupied territories, as affirmed in multiple UN Security Council resolutions and reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice.
In light of the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of July 19, 2024, which affirmed the illegality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, the WED reiterates that the establishment and expansion of buffer zones, such as the one encompassing the entire city of Rafah, constitute serious violations of international law. The WED calls upon Israel to cease these activities immediately, comply with its obligations under international law, and respect the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.
March 27, Israeli Settlers Storm Al-Aqsa Mosque with Protection of Israeli Forces
On March 27, 2025, a group of Israeli settlers, accompanied by Israeli security forces, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, one of Islam’s holiest sites. This provocative action, which occurred during a Ramadhan period of heightened tensions, resulted in clashes with Palestinian worshippers. The storming of the mosque, with the protection of Israeli military personnel, has raised serious concerns regarding the respect for religious freedoms and the protection of sacred sites under international law.
The United Nations has condemned the act as a violation of the status quo arrangements governing the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the wider holy site. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reaffirmed that any action that alters the religious and historical status of Jerusalem, particularly the holy sites, undermines the peace process and violates international law, including the principles set out in the Fourth Geneva Convention.
In response, the WED condemns this act as a flagrant violation of international law and human rights, particularly the rights to freedom of worship and the protection of religious sites. Furthermore, storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque violate Israel’s own Protection of Holy Sites Law (1967), which mandates the safeguarding of religious sites, including non-Jewish sites, and prohibits actions that disrupt their sanctity. The WED calls for an immediate cessation of such actions and urges all parties to ensure the respect for and protection of religious freedoms in Jerusalem and throughout the region.
March 2025, Humanitarian Workers Found in Mass Grave
The WED expressed deep concern over the discovery of a mass grave in southern Gaza containing the remains of 15 humanitarian and medical workers, condemning the apparent targeting of protected personnel as a grave violation of international humanitarian law. The bodies were found in the Tal Al-Sultan area of Rafah, buried alongside their emergency vehicles, including a marked ambulance, a fire truck, and a UN vehicle. The workers were reportedly killed on March 23, 2025, during Israeli military operations while attempting to provide aid to civilians in the region.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have offered a justification for the March 23, 2025, incident in which 15 humanitarian and medical workers were killed in southern Gaza. The IDF stated that troops opened fire on a group of vehicles—including ambulances and fire trucks—that approached a military position without prior coordination and without headlights or emergency signals. The military claimed that several militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad were among those killed. However, video evidence later contradicted the IDF’s initial claims, showing that the vehicles had active emergency lights.
Eyewitness accounts and post-mortem examinations have revealed that the victims were executed at close range, with some sustaining gunshot wounds to the head. Additionally, several bodies were found with their hands or legs bound, indicating deliberate and unlawful killings. Grievances found in the visual examination also showed signs of torture, including bruising, signs of beatings, and wounds consistent with prolonged captivity. These findings strongly suggest that the victims endured significant physical abuse prior to their deaths.
The WED condemns these acts as serious violations of international humanitarian law, as outlined in the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
March 2024, First Major Attack Breaking Ceasefire: Israeli Dawn Airstrikes in Gaza Kill Hundreds of Civilians
On March 18, 2025, Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip resulted in the deaths of at least 700 Palestinians, including women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The surprise bombardment, which occurred during the early hours of the day, marked the deadliest single-day attack since the onset of the conflict in October 2023 and effectively ended the ceasefire that had been in place since January. In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that this was “only the beginning,” signalling an escalation in military operations and a commitment to achieving all war objectives, including the destruction of Hamas and the release of hostages.
In the weeks following the March 18 attack, Israeli forces continued airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. By April 9, at least 1,482 Palestinians had been killed since the resumption of hostilities, bringing the total death toll to over 50,846. The United Nations reported that 36 Israeli airstrikes between March 18 and April 9 resulted in the deaths of only Palestinian women and children, raising serious concerns about the proportionality and discrimination of the attacks under international humanitarian law.
The United Nations has condemned these actions, emphasizing that Israel, as the occupying power, is legally bound to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure their well-being. The UN Human Rights Office has stated that Israel’s actions, including forced evacuations and the destruction of civilian infrastructure, are in violation of international law. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice has been urged to take immediate action to prevent further violations and to protect the rights of Palestinians under the Genocide Convention.
The WED condemns these actions in the strongest terms, affirming the urgent need for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law. The targeting of civilians, destruction of critical infrastructure, and forced displacement of populations represent clear violations of international legal frameworks and exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
In light of these grave violations, the WED calls upon the international community to take immediate, coordinated action to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians, as stipulated under the Geneva Conventions. Furthermore, it is imperative that those responsible for these actions are held fully accountable, and that all measures are taken to prevent further escalation and loss of life in Gaza.
March 2025, United Nations Investigative Committee Finds Israel’s Actions in Gaza as War Crimes
On March 13, 2025, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory issued a report condemning Israel’s systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including the deliberate targeting of women’s healthcare facilities, such as maternity wards and reproductive clinics. The Commission’s findings categorized these actions as “genocidal acts,” citing the destruction of vital healthcare resources and the widespread use of violence against civilians, particularly women and children.
The report asserts that these actions amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, highlighting the role of Israeli leadership in authorizing or failing to prevent such attacks. The Commission called for immediate international action to hold those responsible accountable and for steps to be taken to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians under international law.
March 2025, Israeli Energy Minister Orders Electricity Cut Off to Gaza
On March 21, 2025, Israeli Energy Minister ordered a complete cessation of electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, effectively plunging the region into darkness. The decision, which was implemented amidst ongoing military operations, has caused widespread disruptions, severely impacting hospitals, schools, and essential services throughout Gaza. The move has been widely criticized by the international community as a collective punishment that disproportionately affects civilians.
The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the humanitarian implications of this action, stating that it exacerbates the already dire situation in Gaza and further violates international law, specifically the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the use of resources essential for civilian survival as a weapon of war.
In response, the WED strongly condemns this action, emphasizing that the deliberate cutting off of electricity and other vital resources to civilians constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law. The WED calls for immediate restoration of power and other essential services to Gaza, and urges all parties to prioritize the protection of civilian infrastructure in line with their obligations under international law.
November 2024, ICC Issues Arrest Warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Over Alleged War Crimes
On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber I concluded that there were reasonable grounds to believe that both officials were criminally responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Gaza conflict, specifically from October 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024. The charges included the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity such as murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. Additionally, they were accused of intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population.
While Israel is not a member of the ICC and disputes the court’s jurisdiction, the arrest warrants have implications for Netanyahu’s international travel. Countries that are members of the ICC are obligated to enforce such warrants, which could limit his ability to visit certain nations.
The WED stands ready to monitor the actions of states that are parties to the ICC and remain committed to ensuring that the arrest warrants issued against Israeli officials are enforced in accordance with international law. The WED affirms that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law, and that the rule of law must prevail in upholding accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. In light of the ICC’s recent actions, the WED encourages all member states to act in accordance with their legal obligations and cooperate fully with the Court, while continuing to promote peace and security in the region.
7TH OCTOBER 2023, THE TIPPING POINT
On October 7, 2023, the military branched of Hamas carried out an attack in Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, of this at least 809 civilians, among them women, children, and elderly individuals. As the group draw back to Gaza, 252 individuals were taken hostage, with nearly 100 of them still being held in captivity after one year.
Horrendous crimes were committed on that day. The murders, hostage-taking, and sexual violence against women and girls, represent grave violations of international law and constitute war crimes, with the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Khan even describing them as potentially rising to the level of crimes against humanity. Israel’s response came swiftly, with IDF airstrikes hitting both civilian and military targets indiscriminately. Humanitarian concerns are mounting as the prospect of a ceasefire continues to fade.
The violence on October 7 did not occur in isolation. It is shrouded in misleading narratives and the longstanding discrimination, racial segregation, and apartheid inflicted upon the Palestinian people, as acknowledged by the ICJ on July 19, 2024. This conflict threatens to erase the Palestinian presence in the occupied territories and could result in a perpetuation of insecurity and immense suffering for both the Palestinian and Israeli populations.