The Maldives has participated and delivered a statement today at the hearing held at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the request for an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations concerning the presence and activities of the UN, other international organizations, and other countries in Palestinian territories under Israeli control.

This case was submitted following a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly on December 19, 2024, seeking an advisory opinion from the ICJ on Israel's responsibilities. This comes in response to the Israeli parliament's decision to shut down the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the main UN agency providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees, and Israel's attacks on humanitarian workers operating in Gaza, which hinder the provision of humanitarian aid to the general Palestinian population. The opportunity to participate and submit statements in the public hearings for this case has been extended to countries and international organizations.

Representing the Maldives at today's ICJ hearing, Attorney General Ahmed Usham highlighted the Maldives' unwavering advocacy for the rights of the Palestinian people and emphasized the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid delivery in Palestinian territories under Israeli control. He also expressed concern over Israel's deliberate measures to dismantle UNRWA and reaffirmed the Maldivian government's continued support for the Palestinian people's efforts to secure their human rights.

In the statements presented by the Maldives' international lawyers at today's hearing, they noted that citing national security and military necessity as reasons to evade Israel's obligations under international treaties is contrary to international law. They also shed light on the legal implications of Israel's withdrawal from the 1967 Exchange of Letters between Israel and UNRWA.

The Maldives reiterated at today's hearing that the only sustainable solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue is the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 territorial borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We assure that the Maldivian state will remain steadfast in supporting the Palestinian people's efforts to achieve this solution.