Türkiye accuses Israel of using ‘hunger as a weapon’ in ICJ

Türkiye sharply criticized Israel during International Court of Justice hearings Wednesday, accusing it of wielding hunger as a weapon against Gaza’s civilian population and lamenting the international community’s failure to halt the ongoing conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives.

International community ‘gravely failed’ to prevent civilian deaths

“The international community has gravely failed to halt the Israeli aggression and loss of tens of thousands of innocent lives in Gaza, mostly women and children,” said Nuh Yılmaz, Türkiye’s deputy minister for foreign affairs, during the country’s presentation before the world court.

In his address, Yılmaz characterized Israel’s actions as a “sustained breach of its international obligations” and described the offensive in Gaza as a war of “unprecedented scale” against civilians that has expanded into the West Bank and neighboring countries.

Hunger used as ‘weapon’ as crossings remain closed

The Turkish diplomat specifically condemned Israel’s closure of Gaza crossings since March 2, which has prevented essential supplies from entering the enclave.

“Where there is no law enforced to stop Israel, there is chaos, anarchy, and mass killings amounting to genocide in Gaza,” Yılmaz told the court.

Türkiye also criticized Israel’s attacks on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and restrictions on its operations, arguing these actions violate the court’s provisional measures and potentially constitute acts of destruction against Palestinians as a protected group.

Aid workers at risk amid ongoing conflict

Yılmaz referenced the killing of Turkish-American humanitarian worker Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during peaceful protests in the West Bank as evidence of the continuing dangers faced by aid workers in the region.

Concluding Türkiye’s presentation, the deputy minister requested that the ICJ “issue an advisory opinion that reaffirms Israel’s obligations under international law and paves the way for justice, peace, and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.”

The hearing comes amid an intensifying conflict. According to the provided information, the Israeli military renewed its assault on Gaza on March 18, breaking a January 19 ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas. Nearly 52,400 Palestinians, primarily women and children, have reportedly been killed in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023.

The ICJ proceedings are ongoing as the court considers arguments from various nations regarding Israel’s policies and actions in the Palestinian territories.