HRW Accuses Israel of Blocking Aid to Gaza Residents

Human Rights Watch stated on Monday that Israel has not complied with a United Nations court order to provide urgent assistance to desperate people in the Gaza Strip, following a historic ruling in The Hague a month earlier that called on Israel to ease its warfare. In an initial response to a legal case from South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide, the UN's International Court of Justice ordered Israel to do everything possible to prevent death and destruction, and any acts of genocide in Gaza. However, it did not go so far as to order an end to Israel's military offensive that has caused a humanitarian disaster in the small Palestinian territory. Israel strongly denies the accusations against it, asserting that it is fighting in self-defense.