LIVE GAZA. Israel must quickly allow humanitarian aid, says ICJ ruling – Palestinian Authority willing to cooperate in possible peace conference in Belgium | Israel-Palestine conflict

The Belgian government praised the new measures imposed on Israel by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. Deputy Prime Minister Petra De Sutter (Green) announced this on messaging platform X (formerly Twitter).

“We welcome these much-needed new binding interim measures,” De Sutter wrote. “And urge Israel to guarantee basic services and humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza. By failing to comply, Israel will further isolate itself from the international order. CeasefireNOW ”

The ICJ requires Israel to take “all necessary and effective measures to ensure that, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations, there can be an unhindered supply of aid on a large scale” to Gaza.

The Palestinian Authority is willing to participate in a preparatory peace conference that would be organized in Belgium. Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, said this on Thursday during a meeting with Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR).

Belgium currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU. Within that role, our country is also prepared to act as host for such a conference.

Lahbib raised the subject on Thursday evening during her meeting with Abbas in Ramallah, West Bank. “The President of the Palestinian Authority has underlined the important role of the EU (…) and also the role of Belgium as a bridge builder,” the minister said after the meeting.

“But we must have a Palestinian Authority that works,” the Belgian minister emphasized. A new Palestinian government takes office on Sunday, Lahbib says she “looks forward to working together” with the new government team, which will still have to demonstrate its authority.

The 88 year old Abbas also stated that he is ready to step aside “as soon as there is a ceasefire and elections.” In the current circumstances, this is purely hypothetical, but the Palestinian Authority is prepared to do so, Lahbib concludes.

“The Palestinians deserve better than a symbol.” Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib prefers to work on concrete solutions for the Palestinians rather than simply recognizing the Palestinian state, although that will come. “That lies in the course of history.”

Lahbib is making a working visit to Israel and the West Bank this week. In Ramallah, the minister spoke with her Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki and outgoing Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

A new government took office in Ramallah on Thursday. Lahbib hopes that this cabinet of technocrats can “depoliticize the problem.” She urged her interlocutors to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, which is not very popular among the population. “We will be by your side for reconstruction and governance,” she assured.

Lahbib also addressed the governance in Gaza. In that other Palestinian area, the extremist organization Hamas ruled the roost, but after the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 and the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, the question arises as to who should govern the area after the cessation of hostilities. Hamas “is not a discussion partner,” Lahbib made clear again.

The recognition of the Palestinian state was also discussed, but Lahbib prefers to work first and foremost on concrete solutions for the Palestinians. “The Oslo Accords (from 1993) are not being applied. The area is a grid with 700 checkpoints,” she noted. “That makes any smooth communication impossible,” it said.

Moreover, the settlements are “tolerated or even encouraged” by the Israeli government. In that context, many Palestinians no longer believe in a two-state solution. For Lahbib, each party must take a step: Israel must come to the negotiating table and recognize the Palestinian state, on the other hand, an agreement on security guarantees for Israel is needed.

Israel must make every effort to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip as quickly as possible. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague ruled this on Thursday

According to the ICJ, Israel must “take all necessary and effective measures to ensure that, without any delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations, there can be an unhindered supply on a large scale” of the aid supplies. For example, there should be more opportunities to reach the Gaza Strip by country with humanitarian goods. These border posts must also be kept open “as long as necessary”.

The Israeli soldiers are also allowed do not perform any actions that affect the delivery of necessary humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza Strip hinder.

The statement is one as a result of the case that South Africa had initiated before the International Court of Justice. At the end of January, the ICJ had already ordered Israel to do everything possible to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip. In early March, South Africa had asked for additional emergency measures to be imposed due to the “widespread famine” caused by the Israeli offensive in the area.

The judges of the ICJ recognize that living conditions for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are becoming increasingly worse and that there is famine.

Israel must report within a month on the measures taken to comply with the ICJ ruling.

Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR) warned on Thursday of the consequences of the discontinuation of funding for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. She did this during a visit to the Ammari refugee camp in Ramallah, on the West Bank.

The UN agency has a medical center and a school in the camp, both of which Lahbib attended.

UNRWA has been at the center of a controversy since Israel accused 12 of the Gaza Strip’s 13,000 employees in late January of being involved in the deadly Hamas attack in Israel on October 7. An investigation is still ongoing.

Fifteen countries, including the United States, had suspended funding following the news, representing a drop in funding of more than half compared to last year. Several countries have now resumed their financing.

According to UNRWA, the reduction in support means that all necessary assistance can no longer be provided in Ramallah after the month of May.

Belgium had not stopped funding UNRWAbut called for clarity about the possible role of certain employees within Hamas.

UNRWA “has expertise and knowledge in the field that cannot simply be replaced”, Lahbib said on Thursday. “72 patients per day and per doctor are received here. This entire region is at risk. An entire population is in danger of ending up in a desperate and explosive situation.”

Lahbib is making a working visit to Israel and the West Bank this week. After meeting with the Israeli side on Wednesday, Thursday will focus on the Palestinians. A meeting is planned with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the early evening.