Pakistan has called for Israel to be held accountable for the “imposition of collective punishment” on Palestinians in Gaza through the blockade of aid, according to the foreign ministry.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Syed Haider Shah, made an oral statement before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague today, on the fourth day of public hearings on addressing Israel’s obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including Gaza and the West Bank, the foreign ministry said.

Ambassador Shah underscored the need for providing unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and to hold Israel accountable for the imposition of collective punishment through the denial of humanitarian aid to millions of civilians.

He condemned in the strongest possible terms Israel’s attempt to dismantle the operations of UNRWA in the OPT, terming it a blatant violation of international law and part of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny much-needed humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in dire need.

Pakistan had submitted its detailed written statement to the ICJ in the case earlier this year. The oral proceedings of the case are being held at the ICJ from April 28 to May 2, 2025, in which more than 40 states and organisations are expected to participate.