Latest news with #YasmineMoussa
Egypt Today
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt maintains firm stance in support of Palestinian cause: Representative at ICJ
FILE - UN's ICJ calls for prevention of genocidal acts in Gaza, January 26, 2024 - UN CAIRO – 2 May 2025: Yasmine Moussa, Egypt's representative before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on Friday said the ongoing hearings regarding the Palestinian cause mark a very important stage, particularly in light of the tragic conditions in the Gaza Strip. Moussa informed Nile Radio that most of the countries presenting arguments before ICJ expressed their full support for the rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination. Around 40 countries emphasized the need for Israel to fulfill its obligations as a UN member. This includes allowing relief organizations and international agencies to operate in Palestinian territories, lifting the blockade on Gaza, and ensuring the entry of humanitarian aid, she added. Egypt's representative said that a large number of states called on the Israeli occupation authorities to provide basic services and essential goods to prevent famine and to counter policies that render Gaza uninhabitable. She stressed that ICJ, as the UN's principal judicial body, cannot have its rulings ignored in the long term, reaffirming that Egypt has always maintained a clear and firm stance in support of the Palestinian cause. Moussa explained that Egypt is engaged in all relevant political and legal tracks, highlighting its role in the legal initiative that began a year ago with a request for an advisory opinion from the court regarding the occupation. "This effort led, for the first time, to a ruling from the court declaring the illegality of the Israeli occupation and calling for the withdrawal of its forces from Palestinian territories." She affirmed that Israel's actions in the occupied territories constitute an unlawful imposition of sovereignty and a blatant violation of international law. She pointed out that the world is now awaiting the court's opinion in the coming months, paving the way for broad political action at the level of UN bodies.
Egypt Independent
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt calls on ICJ to declare Israel's continued occupation a violation of international law
In an oral argument before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday, the Egyptian delegation submitted a request for the Court to issue an advisory opinion stating that Israel's prolonged occupation of the Palestinian territories is a continued violation of international law. It added that Israel's obligations as an occupying power must continue throughout Palestinian territory until the end of its occupation. The ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands, began public hearings on Monday for an advisory opinion regarding Israel's obligations towards the United Nations and its agencies and bodies in the occupied Palestinian territories. Egypt was represented before the Court by the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Legal Affairs and Treaties, Hatem Abdel-Qader, and the Legal Advisor at the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yasmine Moussa. Egypt's demands The Egyptian delegation emphasized that Israel's gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territories constitute part of widespread, systematic, and comprehensive measures aimed at imposing a fait accompli and achieving the de facto annexation of Palestinian territory. Egypt also requested that the court recognize Israel's obligations, as an occupying power, to provide reparations for the harm it has caused. This obligation must be met by lifting the blockade on Gaza immediately and unconditionally, ensuring widespread and safe access for essential supplies to civilians in Gaza Strip through all crossings leading to the Strip, without impediments or restrictions, immediately implementing Security Council Resolution 2735, and agreeing on an urgent relief plan for Palestinian civilians. Israel's violations The Egyptian delegation pointed out that since October 2023, Israel has been using starvation and a complete blockade of Gaza as a weapon directed against civilians in the strip. 'Israel has persisted in its use of this weapon by deliberately and arbitrarily closing all crossings into Gaza, preventing the entry of food, potable water, fuel, medical supplies, and other basic needs,' they added. The Egyptian delegation emphasized that Israel has indeed violated its obligations under international law, both through its systematic policy of targeting civilians and representatives of relief organizations, its persistent imposition of legal and administrative obstacles that impede and restrict the delivery of humanitarian aid, and its direct attacks on humanitarian infrastructure. This included the bombing of the Rafah border crossing, aimed at disrupting its operations and seizing control of the Palestinian side of the crossing, followed by Israel's subsequent military assault on the city of Rafah, which had been a refuge for over a million Palestinians.
Middle East
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
OPEN// Egypt presents arguments before ICJ on Israel's obligations as an occupying power
CAIRO, April 28 (MENA) - Egypt presented verbal arguments before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday concerning Israel's obligations as an occupying power in the occupied Palestinian territories, following a UN General Assembly request for an advisory opinion. Represented by Ambassador Hatem Abdel Kader and Dr Yasmine Moussa, Egypt argued that Israel's systematic violations of international humanitarian and human rights law aim to impose a fait accompli and de facto annexation of Palestinian territories. They cited public statements, Knesset legislation, and actions undermining UNRWA to obstruct the Palestinian right of return, a fundamental aspect of self-determination. Egypt highlighted forced evictions and displacements under the guise of "eviction orders," leading to the transfer of Palestinians to areas lacking basic necessities and obstructing access to essential supplies, creating uninhabitable conditions in Gaza. According to Egypt: 'Since October 2023, Israel has weaponized starvation and total siege against Gaza, deliberately closing crossings and preventing the entry of vital supplies, alongside its renewed aggression. This has resulted in 52,000 civilian deaths, predominantly women and children, and the targeting of civilians and essential infrastructure, compounded by attacks on medical and humanitarian workers, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.' Egypt's arguments focused on Israel's obligations under the UN Charter, the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, and international humanitarian and human rights law to ensure the unimpeded provision of urgent supplies and assistance. Egypt asserted that Israel has breached these obligations by systematically targeting civilians and relief organizations, imposing legal and administrative obstacles to humanitarian aid, and directly attacking humanitarian infrastructure, including bombing the Rafah crossing and seizing its Palestinian side. The subsequent military offensive on Rafah, a haven for over a million Palestinians and a key humanitarian hub, severely damaged humanitarian operations, halting aid delivery from the vital Rafah crossing as agencies withdrew for safety, according to Egypt. The Egyptian delegation requested the Court to declare Israel's prolonged occupation of Palestinian territories a continuous violation of international law, obligating Israel, as an occupying power, to fulfill its responsibilities until the occupation ends. Specifically, the delegation urged the Court to affirm Israel's duty to redress damages by immediately lifting the Gaza siege, ensuring unimpeded delivery of essential supplies through all crossings, implementing Security Council Resolution 2735, agreeing upon and facilitating an urgent relief plan for Palestinian civilians, refraining from obstructing the UN and its agencies (including UNRWA) and humanitarian assistance from third countries, repealing illegal laws targeting UNRWA, respecting UNRWA's and other UN agencies' privileges and immunities, and guaranteeing their protection. Further, the delegation requested a declaration that the Palestinian people's right to self-determination includes economic, social, and cultural development on their land, encompassing the right to receive development assistance for recovery and reconstruction and freedom from displacement or expulsion. (MENA) R G E/R E E
Daily News Egypt
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt argues at ICJ against Israeli occupation, details Gaza aid blockade
Egypt presented an oral argument before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday, April 28, 2025, regarding Israel's obligations as the occupying power in the Palestinian territories, outlining alleged systematic violations and the obstruction of aid to Gaza. The presentation was part of ongoing hearings stemming from a UN General Assembly request for an advisory opinion from the court. Egypt was represented by Ambassador Hatem Abdelkader, Assistant Foreign Minister for International Legal Affairs and Treaties, and Counsellor Yasmine Moussa, Legal Adviser at the Foreign Minister's office. Dozens of countries are set to present arguments over several days before the UN's top court. Israel faces accusations of violating international law by restricting aid entry into Gaza. During its argument, the Egyptian delegation contended that 'gross Israeli violations' of international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) in the occupied territories are part of 'widespread, systematic, and comprehensive measures aimed at imposing a de facto policy and achieving effective annexation of Palestinian lands.' The delegation pointed to public statements by senior Israeli officials, Knesset legislation, and ongoing Israeli actions to undermine the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and 'dry up its funding sources' as evidence. Egypt argued these actions aim to 'obstruct the right of return for the Palestinian people,' which it termed a cornerstone of their right to self-determination under international law and the UN Charter. Egypt further stated this coincided with Israel's continued forced evacuations and repeated displacements under the guise of 'evacuation orders,' forcibly transferring Palestinians to areas lacking basic living necessities and hindering access to essential supplies and services. This formed part of a 'systematic policy to create conditions aimed at making Gaza unfit for life,' the delegation argued. Since October 2023, Egypt asserted, Israel has 'used the policy of starvation and complete siege on Gaza as a weapon directed against civilians.' The delegation stated Israel intensified this by 'deliberately and arbitrarily closing all crossings into Gaza, preventing the entry of food, safe drinking water, fuel, medical supplies, and other basic needs.' This occurred, Egypt noted, alongside Israel's resumption of military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of '52,000 innocent civilians since October 2023, the majority being women and children,' citing figures previously reported by Palestinian health officials. The presentation highlighted the continued Israeli targeting of civilians, and essential infrastructure, and intensified attacks by Israeli forces against medical and humanitarian workers, pushing Gaza into a 'humanitarian catastrophe.' Egypt's legal argument focused on Israel's obligations under the UN Charter, the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, IHL, and IHRL, specifically the duty as an occupying power to ensure and facilitate unimpeded urgent aid. The delegation asserted Israel has breached these obligations through 'the systematic policy of targeting civilians and representatives of relief organisations,' imposing legal and administrative obstacles hindering aid access, and launching direct attacks on humanitarian infrastructure. Examples cited included the bombing of the Rafah border crossing to disable it, the subsequent seizure of the Palestinian side, and the military offensive on Rafah city – previously a refuge for over a million Palestinians and a key aid hub. These actions, Egypt argued, severely damaged humanitarian operations, worsened the catastrophic situation, and forced aid agencies to withdraw, halting aid flow via Rafah, previously 'the lifeline for the Gaza Strip.' Concluding its presentation, Egypt requested the ICJ declare in its advisory opinion that: The extended Israeli occupation is an ongoing violation of international law. Israel's obligations as occupier persist throughout the occupied territory until the occupation ends. Israel is obligated to make reparations, including immediately lifting the Gaza siege unconditionally and ensuring large-scale, safe, unhindered aid access via all crossings. UN Security Council Resolution 2735 must be immediately implemented. An urgent relief plan for Palestinian civilians must be agreed upon and facilitated. Israel must refrain from hindering the presence and activities of the UN and its agencies (including UNRWA) and third states providing aid. 'Unlawful' Israeli laws concerning UNRWA must be repealed, and the privileges, immunities, and protection of UNRWA and other UN agencies respected. The Palestinian right to self-determination includes economic, social, and cultural development on their land, the right to development aid for recovery and reconstruction, and the right not to be displaced or expelled. Meanwhile, Fatah spokesperson Munther Al-Hayek reiterated accusations against Israel on Monday, stating it uses 'bombing, killing, starvation, and thirst' and prevents aid entry, forcing reliance on 'self-solutions.' He described Gaza's water as 'extremely polluted' due to sewage contamination. Israel maintains it will not permit goods and supplies into Gaza until Hamas releases all remaining hostages. Last week, Germany, France, and the UK urged Israel to allow unimpeded aid access. US President Donald Trump said Friday he had pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to permit food and medicine entry. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 52,000 people have been killed since October 7 2023.
