Top UN Court Says Israel Must Allow UN Aid to Gaza

The Hague: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled Wednesday that Israel must allow the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. The advisory opinion was requested by the UN General Assembly following Israel’s effective ban on the agency, the main provider of aid to the war-torn territory.

“Israel is under the obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” said ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa. Israel has denied violating international law, calling the proceedings biased, and did not attend hearings in April, though it submitted a 38-page written statement.

The opinion comes amid a fragile US -brokered Gaza ceasefire that began on October 10, under which 600 humanitarian aid trucks are allowed to enter daily. The UN plans to scale up aid shipments, and Hamas negotiators have said Israel is complying with the agreement.

Israel’s ban on UNRWA began in January, citing alleged infiltration by Hamas, a claim rejected by the agency. Israel also paused all aid shipments for three months in March, leading to severe shortages. Conditions in Gaza worsened, with international experts declaring famine in parts of the territory by August.

Advisory opinions are legally nonbinding but carry significant weight under treaties protecting UN personnel. Experts say the ruling could have broader implications for UN operations worldwide.

The ICJ has previously issued advisory opinions against Israeli policies, including rulings on the West Bank separation barrier and settlement construction. Separately, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged use of starvation as a method of warfare, charges Israel denies.

The ongoing war in Gaza, triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel, has killed over 68,000 Palestinians and left hundreds of hostages, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel disputes these figures.