A reading of the legal harvest of the Palestinian issue for the year 2024 | policy

The year 2024 witnessed notable legal and diplomatic developments on the Palestinian issue, which reflected an international focus on the ongoing grave violations against the Palestinian people. The legal movement included resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly, in addition to positions of the International Courts of Justice and Criminal Courts. International efforts addressed issues of settlement, forced displacement, war crimes, and genocide.

However, these efforts faced major challenges, most notably the use of the US veto to overturn many decisions and place restrictions on the implementation of recommendations, which made international efforts unable to achieve tangible change.

On the human rights side, the year witnessed increasing documentation of the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the people of Gaza as a result of the ongoing siege and repeated military operations. Reports from the United Nations and international human rights organizations documented the dimensions of this disaster, pointing to food insecurity, the collapse of the health system, and the systematic targeting of vital infrastructure, such as water and energy networks. However, these reports, despite their accuracy and detail, had limited impact on the ground. Due to the absence of mandatory implementation mechanisms, which demonstrated a clear weakness in the international community’s ability to protect civilians or hold perpetrators accountable.

First: Security Council resolutions

During the year 2024, the UN Security Council witnessed the holding of several sessions that dealt with the Palestinian issue, focusing on the Israeli war on Gaza and the continued settlement expansion in the West Bank. During these sessions, four resolutions were presented, but three of them were overturned by the United States using its veto power, and only one resolution was passed.

1. In March 2024, a resolution was introduced condemning Israeli settlement expansion as a clear violation of international law. Despite the importance of this decision, which could have constituted a turning point in the international position towards settlement, the United States dropped it by using its veto, which sparked a wave of widespread criticism.
2. In July 2024, another resolution was presented demanding the cessation of military operations in Gaza, and the protection of civilians from Israeli attacks, which escalated in intensity during that period. The resolution, which was supported by a majority of member states, faced the same fate when the United States used its veto again, sparking international frustration over the council’s ability to act effectively.
3. In October 2024, a draft resolution was presented calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. Despite the importance of this draft, which represented a response to repeated Palestinian demands, it faced the same fate with the use of the American veto.
4. On the other hand, the only resolution adopted by the Security Council in December 2024 was No. 2720, and it called for facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza and ensuring the protection of civilians. This resolution, which passed without objection from the United States, was considered a positive exception highlighting the possibility of international consensus in the absence of a veto. However, the Council’s inability to enforce the implementation of the resolution on the ground made it lose its value, which contributed to the continuing crisis of confidence in the role of the United Nations as an instrument for achieving international justice.

Second: General Assembly decisions

Unlike the Security Council, during the year 2024, the United Nations General Assembly issued three important resolutions on Palestinian rights, which were widely supported by member states.

1. In November 2024, the General Assembly passed Resolution 78/194, which affirmed the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. The resolution was supported by 148 countries, while 10 countries opposed it and 15 countries abstained. About voting. This decision, despite its symbolic and political importance, remained without actual effect. Due to the nature of General Assembly decisions that lack binding.
2. In May 2024, another resolution was passed confirming the eligibility of the State of Palestine to full membership in the United Nations. The resolution, which was supported by 143 countries and opposed by 9 countries, with 25 countries abstaining from voting, represented an important step towards strengthening Palestine’s position in the international system. However, achieving this goal requires the approval of the Security Council, as the US veto represents a major obstacle to this.
3. In December 2024, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue, stressing the need to adhere to the two-state solution as a basic option for ending the conflict. The resolution, which was supported by 157 countries, opposed by 8 countries and abstained by 7 countries, reflected great international support for a peaceful and just solution, but the political challenges on the ground made its implementation almost impossible.

These decisions clearly reflect great support for the Palestinian cause on the political and moral levels, but their lack of executive force keeps their impact limited on the ground. The role of the General Assembly is no more than making recommendations that express the conscience of the world, and in doing so it gives the 193 member states an equal voice. Despite its lack of executive power – as we indicated – it continues to play a pivotal role in stripping international legitimacy of the Israeli occupation, and putting its repeated violations of international law under the microscope.

Third: The International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice was very present during 2024, issuing four landmark decisions based on requests from the UN General Assembly and the State of Palestine.

But again, as much as these decisions highlight the importance of international law in supporting the Palestinian cause, they also reveal the limitations of their impact in the absence of effective implementation mechanisms, which weakens their ability to bring about real change.

1. In April 2024, the Court issued an advisory opinion at the request of the General Assembly, in which it held that the Israeli occupation constituted a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter. This opinion, despite its legal and moral importance, remains non-binding on states, which limits its actual impact.
2. In May 2024, the court issued an order halting the Israeli military attack on the city of Rafah. The resolution called on Israel to stop all military operations that endanger the lives of the civilian population, but the lack of effective implementation mechanisms made the response to this resolution almost non-existent.
3. In June 2024, the court issued precautionary measures to protect civilians in Rafah, stressing the need for unimpeded humanitarian access.
4. In September 2024, the court considered the issue of the Israeli occupation’s exploitation of Palestinian natural resources, and issued a ruling in which it affirmed that Israel is obligated to compensate the Palestinians for damages resulting from the exploitation of natural resources in the occupied territories. This decision is a turning point in Palestinian claims, as it provides a legal basis for demanding compensation at the international level.

Despite the importance of these decisions, the absence of mandatory mechanisms for implementing them weakens their ability to bring about real change, which raises fundamental questions about the usefulness of international courts in achieving justice.

Fourth: The International Criminal Court

The year 2024 witnessed unprecedented legal moves by the International Criminal Court on the Palestinian issue.

1. In February 2024, the court announced the opening of comprehensive investigations into crimes committed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including settlement activity, forced displacement, and attacks on civilians.
2. In an unprecedented move, the court issued arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, and Yoav Galant, former Defense Minister, on charges related to committing war crimes during military operations in Gaza. Despite the importance of this step in enhancing international accountability, its implementation faces major political obstacles, especially in the absence of sufficient international cooperation.

Fifth: Reports of international organizations

UN organizations issued a large number of reports documenting the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip, in light of the continued siege and the worsening crises resulting from military operations.

1. In June 2024, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) published a report addressing the sharp deterioration in humanitarian conditions in Gaza, noting that poverty and unemployment rates had risen to unprecedented levels, as a result of the ongoing Israeli siege and repeated military operations. The report called for urgent international support to meet the basic needs of the population, including food, shelter, and health care.
2. In August 2024, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report strongly condemning the targeting of journalists in Gaza. The Commission considered that these attacks constitute a flagrant violation of freedom of expression and human rights, stressing that the protection of journalists is an essential part of the obligations of international humanitarian law.
3. In October 2024, the United Nations launched a joint humanitarian appeal to lift the blockade on Gaza, stressing that shortages of fuel, food and medicine have led to a stifling humanitarian crisis that threatens the lives of millions. The appeal explained that the deteriorating conditions have affected various aspects of life, including the health sector, which is facing a severe collapse.
4. In November 2024, the World Health Organization warned of the collapse of Gaza’s health system, citing severe shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. She pointed out that the lives of patients, including children and the elderly, were now directly threatened, and called for immediate international action to provide the necessary supplies.
5. In December 2024, the World Food Program issued a report revealing that more than 70% of Gaza’s population is food insecure, a figure that portends grave danger to the population’s future. The report called for urgent aid and increased relief support, warning that the situation could worsen catastrophically if the siege continues without effective intervention.

These reports indicate the commitment of UN bodies to monitor the humanitarian situation in Gaza and present it to the international community. However, its role has remained more descriptive without concrete action on the ground. This situation reflects the absence of effective implementation mechanisms, as well as the increasing focus on humanitarian aspects without adequate consideration of the political and security issues behind these crises.

In addition, these efforts suffer from a significant weakness in funding, as they have received only 50% of the amounts required to meet the humanitarian needs in Gaza. This shortfall is compared to the military support the United States provided to Israel during the year, which amounted to about $22 billion, which shows a huge gap in the balance between support for victims and aggressors. The security restrictions imposed by Israel also hinder the work of international organizations, and limit their ability to reach the affected areas and provide aid.

Despite these difficulties, reports issued by these bodies remain important documents for documenting crimes and violations. Not only does it reflect the scale of suffering, it also provides evidence that can be used in international courts, strengthening legal efforts and helping to hold perpetrators accountable in the future, when the right political conditions exist.

Sixth: Reports of international human rights organizations

The year 2024 witnessed notable activity from prominent international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, which issued several major reports documenting serious violations in Gaza. These reports addressed issues such as forced displacement, targeting civilians, and depriving residents of basic services, and described many of these practices as amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

1. Forced Displacement Report (Human Rights Watch – November 14, 2024): Entitled “Desperate, Hungry, and Besieged: Israel’s Forced Displacement of Palestinians in Gaza,” this report documented the mass displacement of Palestinians since October 2023. It considered that these operations constitute War crimes and crimes against humanity, based on survivor testimonies and analysis of field conditions.
2. Targeting Children with Disabilities Report (Human Rights Watch – September 30, 2024): Entitled “Destroy What’s Inside Us: Children with Disabilities in Light of Israeli Attacks,” the report revealed blatant violations suffered by children with disabilities in Gaza, including their deprivation. of essential services, describing these attacks as a clear violation of international law.
3. Targeting Civilians Report (Amnesty – December 2024): Entitled “You feel like you are not human: the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” the report documented systematic attacks on civilians, which included indiscriminate killing and widespread destruction of infrastructure. Amnesty International considered that these actions are part of a collective punishment policy that is classified as crimes against humanity.
4. Water Deprivation Report (Human Rights Watch – December 19, 2024): Entitled “Israel Commits Genocide: Water Deprivation in Gaza,” the report documented Israel’s systematic policies that prevented water from reaching the population, and considered that these practices amount to a crime. Genocide by international standards.

These reports, especially those relating to the targeting of civilians and deprivation of water, have caused a major international uproar. The United States responded with sharp criticism to these reports, describing them as “unbalanced and exaggerated,” in an attempt to downplay them and protect Israel from any possible punitive measures.

Despite this, these reports are important tools for documenting crimes and violations, as they contribute to delegitimizing international legitimacy from repressive Israeli policies, and put pressure on global public opinion to support the Palestinian cause.

However, these documents alone are not enough, and must provide a catalyst for countries to take concrete steps, such as imposing sanctions or supporting independent international investigations. Only through these actions can we ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that justice is achieved for victims, rather than simply documenting violations without actual intervention.