ICJ Orders Israel to Allow UNRWA Aid into Gaza

T

he United Nations’ highest court ruled Wednesday that Israel must allow the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to deliver humanitarian aid inside the Gaza Strip, a decision that carries significant political and legal consequences for Israel as it faces mounting pressure over its blockade of the territory.

In its advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found that Israel has a legal obligation under international humanitarian law to facilitate relief operations by U.N. agencies, including UNRWA, which Israel banned from bringing supplies into Gaza earlier this year.

“Israel is under the obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said as he read the 70-page opinion in open court.

Israel has blocked UNRWA shipments since March, despite the agency maintaining core operations on the ground. It says 6,000 trucks loaded with food, medicine, shelter equipment and educational materials remain stuck at the border in Egypt and Jordan. The agency is the primary aid lifeline for Gaza’s 2.2 million residents and also administers health care and schooling for tens of thousands of displaced families.

Court ruling adds pressure to fragile ceasefire

The ruling comes amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has held since October 10. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed what he called an “unambiguous” determination by the world court, urging Israel to comply.

“This decision comes at a moment in which we are doing everything we can to boost our humanitarian aid in Gaza,” Guterres said. “The impact of this decision is decisive in order for us to be able to do it at the level necessary for the tragic situation in which the people of Gaza still find themselves.”

Human rights organizations say that even after the ceasefire, Gaza remains on the verge of famine, with hospitals crippled and sanitation systems near collapse.

Israel dismisses ruling, maintains accusations against UNRWA

In a written statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the opinion, arguing that UNRWA is compromised and cannot be permitted to operate freely.

“Israel fully upholds its obligations under international law,” the statement said. “We will not cooperate with an organization that is infested with terror activities.”

The ICJ, however, noted that Israel failed to provide evidence substantiating its claims of systematic infiltration by Hamas.

The agency itself said the ruling “clearly restores legal certainty” around its mandate in Gaza.

ICJ advisory opinions are formally nonbinding, but carry major diplomatic weight and are often cited by other international courts and U.N. bodies. The decision is expected to be used as supporting material in the separate genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the ICJ, and in the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant proceedings targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.

Stanford legal scholar Tom Dannenbaum said the opinion “provides strong legal support” for prosecutors seeking to prove that Israel used starvation as a method of warfare — one of the allegations already cited in the ICC warrant.

Palestinians hail ruling

The ruling is the third major advisory decision against Israel by the World Court in the past two decades. In 2004, the ICJ declared Israel’s West Bank barrier unlawful. Last year, it found Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory in violation of international law and called on states to consider countermeasures — a decision that accelerated diplomatic recognition of Palestine in Europe and Latin America.

This latest ruling intensifies scrutiny of Israel’s humanitarian policies and could deepen its rift with the U.N. system, as well as allied states that have expressed concern about conditions in Gaza.

Palestinian officials described the opinion as a breakthrough moment.

“It is clear, unequivocal and conclusive,” said Ammar Hijazi, the Palestinian ambassador to the Netherlands. “Israel now has no pretext, no context, no excuse to deny humanitarian assistance.”

The decision was also welcomed by humanitarian groups that have long warned that the blockade was causing deliberate deprivation.