Israeli human rights organizations Gisha, HaMoked: Center for the Defense of the Individual, Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), filed this week a request with Israel’s High Court of Justice (HCJ) to withdraw a petition demanding that the State of Israel end the starvation of occupied Gaza residents and enable adequate supply of humanitarian aid.
Palestinians under the scorching sun, waiting to receive food distributed by a solidarity kitchen in Gaza City (Photo: Yousef Al-Zanoun /Activestills)
More than three months ago, following Israeli far-right government decision to close the crossings and block all entry of aid, including food, fuel, shelter equipment and medicine, they turned to the court, demanding it issue a conditional order against the decision. Since the petition was filed in May, the court has refrained from scheduling a hearing, while approving some 12 of the state’s requests for extension on submitting its responses to the court.
According to the organizations, “More than three months have passed without the court holding a hearing or exercising its duty of judicial review. This review is meant to assess whether Israel’s policies in Gaza comply with international humanitarian law and Israeli law. The petitioners repeatedly sought an urgent hearing before the justices, but the court’s doors remain firmly shut.” The organizations were compelled to take this extraordinary step after it became clear that the court was unwilling to exercise meaningful judicial review of the state’s actions, despite the declaration of famine in the Gaza governorate and predictions it will spread to other areas.
During arguments on the case brought by South Africa alleging that Israel is committing the crime of genocide in Gaza, Israel told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the HCJ’s doors are open to anyone wishing to challenge its conduct. In practice, the court has left the petition hanging without requiring the state to account for its policies. “We are not giving up. We will continue our efforts in the courts, as well as our advocacy, at home and abroad, to ensure that Israel fulfill its obligations and act to protect civilians; and we will continue to demand a permanent ceasefire, unconditional return of the hostages, access and freedom of movement,” they say.
According to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza, as of Wednesday, September 3, 367 malnutrition-related deaths, including 131 children, were documented since October 2023. Updated data breakdowns published by MoH on 27 August indicate that of the total, four malnutrition-related deaths were documented in 2023, 49 deaths in 2024, and 260 between January and 27 August 2025.
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32958
