Renewed Hostilities in Gaza

As the hostilities between Israel and armed groups in Gaza persist and the levels of violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, remain high, the Diakonia IHL Centre provides regular updates regarding legal aspects of the evolving situation.

A full list of legal updates is available here. All materials relevant to the hostilities and rampant violence in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) are available on this page. 

In the early hours of Tuesday 18 March 2025, the Israeli military resumed carrying out large-scale airstrikes in Gaza. On 2 March, Israel had halted the entry of humanitarian aid as well as commercial supplies into the Strip, and on 9 March cut off the remaining electricity to the South Gaza Desalination Plant.

This update examines the legality of Israel’s conduct (i) pursuant to its obligations under the law of occupation and (ii) the rules on the conduct of hostilities as well as (iii) in respect of the resumption of hostilities itself.

We call on the parties to fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL), to protect the civilian population, to allow for the entry of humanitarian aid and supplies at scale, to release the hostages and end all unlawful deprivations of liberty, and to return to the ceasefire.

Cover photo: Aftermath, Rafah, Gaza Strip. Doaa Albaz/ActiveStills Photo Collective (21 January 2025). All Rights Reserved.