Top UN court says Israel must allow UN relief agency to supply aid to Gaza - AP News
Original story by: Associated Press
Last updated: Oct 22, 2025
Ad
- Context: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel must permit the UN aid agency UNRWA to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. This decision comes after Israel had effectively banned the agency, the primary aid provider in the territory, from operating there. The court also emphasized Israel's obligation to ensure the basic needs of Gaza's population are met and that starvation is not used as a method of warfare.
Ad
Ad
- Detailed Summary:
- The ICJ, based in The Hague, Netherlands, has mandated that Israel facilitate relief schemes provided by United Nations entities, specifically including UNRWA, into Gaza.
- Israel had not allowed UNRWA to bring in supplies since March, despite the agency's continued operations in Gaza, including running health centers, mobile medical teams, sanitation services, and school classes.
- UNRWA has 6,000 trucks of supplies waiting to enter Gaza.
- The ruling is an advisory opinion, meaning it carries significant legal weight but is not legally binding, with no direct penalties for non-compliance.
- Israel rejected the ICJ's opinion, stating it upholds its obligations under international law but asserting it will not cooperate with an organization "infested with terror activities," referring to allegations of Hamas infiltration within UNRWA.
- The ICJ found that Israel had not substantiated its allegations of Hamas infiltration within UNRWA.
- The court also determined that the population of Gaza has been inadequately supplied and that Israel must ensure their basic needs are met.
- The ruling comes amidst a fragile ceasefire agreement in Gaza and is separate from the ongoing genocide case initiated by South Africa against Israel.
- Last year, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion stating Israel's presence in occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and called for an end to settlement construction.
- Another Hague-based tribunal, the International Criminal Court, previously issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, alleging starvation as a method of warfare.
- The current conflict in Gaza was triggered by Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel's subsequent retaliatory offensive.
Ad
Ad