THE HAGUE (Dispatches) – The top United Nations court on Friday wrapped a week of hearings on what the Zionist regime must do to ensure desperately needed humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Last year, the UN General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice to give an advisory opinion on the Zionist regime’s legal obligations after the country effectively banned the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, the main provider of aid to Gaza, from operating.
Experts say the case could have broader ramifications for the United Nations and its missions worldwide.
The hearings are taking place as the humanitarian aid system in Gaza is nearing collapse and ceasefire efforts remain deadlocked. 
China told the ICJ on Friday that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory has reached “unprecedented” levels, threatening to overwhelm an already suffering population, and called on the court to uphold international law and international justice.
“The situation grows more desperate. In Gaza and throughout the occupied territories, we are witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis threatening to overwhelm an already suffering people,” said Ma Xinmin, representing China.
He stressed that the Zionist regime has a clear legal obligation to accept humanitarian assistance from third parties when the population is inadequately supplied.
“This is not a discretionary choice. Refusing such assistance could constitute a denial of humane treatment of civilians or a form of collective punishment, both prohibited under international law,” he said.
Beijing also expressed deep concern over casualties among humanitarian workers in the occupied Palestinian territory, stressing that the Zionist regime must ensure the privileges and immunities of UN agencies and bodies.
The United Kingdom delegation to the UN’s top court on Thursday criticized Israel’s two-month ban on humanitarian aid to Gaza as legally unjustifiable.
“Israel must facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian provision to the population of Gaza, including food, water and electricity, and must ensure access to medical care in accordance with international humanitarian law,” Sally Langrish, legal director and advisor at the UK’s foreign office, told a panel of judges at the ICJ in The Hague.