ISRAELI AID BLOCKADE VIOLATES CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT, EXACERBATES GENOCIDE
STATE ACTION REQUIRED AS PER ERGA OMNES OBLIGATIONS

The ongoing Israeli blockade of aid into Gaza is entrenching conditions of genocide, described as “worse” than pre-ceasefire conditions, in violation of the express terms of the ceasefire agreement. Urgent international action is required, by law, to prevent collapse of Palestinian life in Gaza, and to prevent collapse of the ceasefire agreement. UNSG Guterres, the UNSC, the UNGA, and member states must act by convening an emergency session of the UNSC, invoking the Uniting for Peace Resolution if needed, establishing multilaterally run aid corridors, and sanctioning those obstructing aid.

States have a binding obligation to intervene when humanitarian aid is obstructed in a manner that contributes to genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity- pursuant to the 1948 Genocide Convention, customary international law, and Articles 23, 55, and 56 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The prohibition of genocide creates erga omnes obligations, which mandate that all States- regardless of their involvement- renders states legally obliged to take action to prevent and halt the ongoing genocide by blockade.

“Despite the declaration of a ceasefire on 19 January 2025, Israel continues to commit genocide in the Gaza Strip by denying Palestinians the basic necessities for survival and imposing conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction,” noted Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor. See, also, Addendum List of Israeli Violations of the Ceasefire Agreement, sent herewith. Since the ceasefire, one hundred and ten (110) Palestinians have been killed by direct fire and by the illegal Israeli blockade of aid. ReliefWeb similarly declared, “[the] humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is still dire. Nearly all forms of aid remain disrupted…urgent humanitarian needs…have not been met….the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is only getting worse.” (emphasis added) to date, less than ten percent (10%) of tents -and none of the mobile homes- due to have been delivered have reached Gaza, as Palestinians face death by untreated injuries and the elements. Palestinian life and the ceasefire agreement are at imminent risk of total collapse due to Israeli violations.

We urgently call upon all States, the United Nations, humanitarian organizations, and the global community to act to stem the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the Israeli blockade on essential aid, including food, water, medical supplies, and shelter- which also constitute a grave violation of international law, and requires an international response. Civil Society should take all action to pressure their governments to act, and States’ actions should include but not be limited to the following:

1. Request UNSC Emergency Convening: A convening of the UNSC on the matter of humanitarian aid is appropriate and urgently needed. Due to potential UNSC member obstruction, the UNGA should prepare to act under the Uniting for Peace Resolution, in advance. UNGA Res. 377(V), 1950
2. Request UN Military Intervention and Establish International Humanitarian Corridor: UNGA and Individual Member States should activate emergency enforcement mechanisms under the United Nations Charter to compel Israeli compliance with the ceasefire’s humanitarian provisions and remove unlawful obstructions to humanitarian relief — and to establish an international humanitarian corridor escorted and secured by international forces, to guarantee the safe passage of aid convoys. Precedent for this exists in the case of Somalia (1992–1993), where UN-authorized military intervention under Chapter VII of the UN Charter was used to ensure humanitarian aid delivery amid armed obstruction and famine. The United Task Force (UNITAF), a State-led multinational force, was authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 794 (1992) to secure humanitarian relief operations. Additionally, in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1993–1995), the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) established “safe areas” and secured humanitarian corridors to facilitate aid delivery during the Bosnian War. UN Security Council Resolution 819 (1993) and subsequent resolutions mandated the protection of aid convoys and the enforcement of humanitarian access.
3. Enact Sanctions Until End of Aid Blockade: States should enact binding international measures, including sanctions, against entities and individuals obstructing the delivery of life-saving aid, in accordance with the legal obligations set forth under the Fourth Geneva Convention and customary international humanitarian law. Ample precedent supports this, including in Darfur, Sudan (2000s), where the UNSC imposed targeted sanctions against Sudanese officials and actors responsible for violations of international humanitarian law, including the obstruction of humanitarian aid. UN Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005).

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