International Court of Justice Orders Israel to Allow UNRWA Aid Into Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis

ICJ Ruling on Gaza Aid

The International Court of Justice issued a nonbinding but forceful advisory opinion ordering Israel to allow UNRWA to deliver humanitarian aid in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The court rejected Israel’s sweeping claims that the agency is infiltrated by Hamas and condemned starvation as a method of warfare. The court said Israel, as the occupying power, must cooperate with UN agencies and cannot block aid on blanket “security” grounds or by enacting domestic laws that cripple UNRWA’s mandate.

Israel boycotted the hearings, submitted only written arguments, and immediately rejected the ruling as biased. The UN chief urged compliance and UNRWA said thousands of trucks are staged to enter. The judges also underscored obligations to respect UN immunities and enable Red Cross access to Palestinian detainees.

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Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The ruling comes amid a man-made humanitarian disaster. Multiple outlets report that Israel’s siege and aid cutoffs have produced famine conditions. A ceasefire framework promising 600 trucks a day is still falling short on the ground.

The World Food Programme says deliveries remain below targets despite moving over 6,700 tonnes of aid. This amount of aid is enough for nearly half a million people for two weeks. The World Health Organization chief calls Gaza’s health crisis catastrophic.

Morning Star reports that even after the truce, Israel’s restrictions persisted and nearly 100 Palestinians died. The International Court of Justice affirmed that starvation cannot be used as a weapon. The court also stated that Israel must ensure basic survival supplies.

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UNRWA and Israel Conflict Overview

The ICJ dismissed Israel’s sweeping claims against UNRWA while acknowledging isolated allegations against a handful of former staff. Global News and JTA report UN-confirmed dismissals of nine staff linked to the 2023 attack, but the court found no evidence of systemic infiltration or bias. West Asian and alternative outlets detail the scale of Israel’s campaign against the agency.

Middle East Eye reports Israel killed at least 380 UNRWA workers and attacked over 900 premises. The BBC cites over 300 staff killed and documents Israel’s refusal to cooperate and visa blocks. The Guardian adds that Israel’s Knesset moves against UNRWA were unlawful and that UN premises remain inviolable under international law.

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Legal Actions on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The court’s order is part of a broader legal examination. Multiple sources report that the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes related to starvation tactics and targeting civilians. South Africa’s genocide case against Israel is ongoing at the ICJ, and scholars describe actions consistent with genocide.

Al Jazeera reports that genocide charges are being considered and that Israel used food as a weapon of war. CP24 and AP state that the ICC warrants focus on alleged starvation tactics.

DW reports that UN bodies and scholars accuse Israel of acts consistent with genocide. Israeli strikes and the siege have killed over 68,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry figures cited and validated by UN and independent experts.

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International Aid Dispute Overview

Reactions to the situation are sharply divided along political and geographical lines. Norway announced it will propose a UN General Assembly resolution to ensure aid access, supporting the UN Secretary-General’s call for compliance. Israel rejected the ruling and refuses to cooperate with UNRWA.

The United States questioned UNRWA’s impartiality, even though the court stated the agency cannot be quickly replaced. Several Western and regional media outlets reported Israel’s attempt to delegate aid responsibilities to the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which faced criticism for being unsuitable. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation suspended its operations after the ceasefire, highlighting that Israel must allow UNRWA to operate if it wants aid efforts to expand.

JTA noted that the International Court of Justice vote passed 10-1. Haaretz reported that Israel and the US also rejected Red Cross access orders, intensifying the political deadlock.

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