The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued an advisory opinion declaring that Israel, as an occupying power in the Gaza Strip, must facilitate the delivery of humanitarian relief and ensure the “basic needs” of the population are met.
The 11‑judge panel stated that Israel is under a positive obligation to allow aid agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), to operate freely. It also emphasised a negative obligation – that Israel must not impede the passage of supplies essential for survival.
The ruling noted that Israel had not substantiated its allegations that UNRWA staff were members of Hamas. Accordingly, the ban Israel imposed on UNRWA’s operations was deemed unjustified in the court’s view.
Israel rejects court opinion
Although advisory opinions are not legally binding, the ICJ underlined their “great legal weight and moral authority”.
The ruling comes amid a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza - widespread destruction, scarcity of food, water, medicine and fuel, and a partially‑enforced ceasefire.
Israel’s foreign ministry responded by rejecting the court’s opinion as “politically motivated”.
Prior to this month's ceasefire, UN-backed global experts estimated that over 640,000 people face catastrophic levels of food insecurity and that there was an "entirely man-made" famine in Gaza City. Israel has repeatedly rejected the famine declaration, insisting it was allowing in sufficient food.