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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">ICJ rules Israel\u2019s ban on Unrwa
and aid blockade violate international law</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Sondos Asem</div>
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<div class="gmail-reader-estimated-time" dir="ltr">The
International Court of Justice says Israel has obligation
to ensure and facilitate humanitarian relief to
Palestinians</div>
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<p><span>Published date:</span> 22 October 2025 </p>
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<p>The world's top court on Wednesday ruled that <a
href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/israel" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">Israel</a>'s ban on the
UN's main humanitarian provider to <a
href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/palestine" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true">Palestinians</a> and its
restrictions on aid to Gaza and the occupied West
Bank violate international law.</p>
<p>The court unanimously found that Israel as an
occupying power is required to fulfil its
obligations in under international humanitarian law,
including<span><span><span><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span>to
ensure that Palestinians have essential supplies of
daily life including food, medical supplies and
shelter. </p>
<p>It also ruled by 10 votes to 1 that Israel
must agree to and facilitate by all means at its
disposal relief schemes for the people of Gaza and
not impede them.</p>
<p>That includes those provided by the United Nations
and its entities, in particular the UN agency for
Palestinian refugees, Unrwa.</p>
<p>The court also ruled that Israel must abide by its
obligations under international law not to forcibly
displace or transfer the population under its
occupation, and to respect the prohibition of the
use of statvation as a method of war. </p>
<p>The court added that Israel must cooperate in good
faith with the United Nations, including Unrwa, and
to respect and ensure respect for the privileges and
immunites accorded to the UN's premises and
officials.</p>
<p>In its advisory opinion, the court found that
Israel has failed to substantiate its claims that a
significant number of Unrwa staff are affiliated to
Hamas.</p>
<p>It also emphasised its opinion that Unrwa is
"impartial" and indispensable for the provision of
relief to Palestinians, as mandated by the UN
General Assembly.</p>
<p>The court also noted Israel's total siege on Gaza
between 2 March and 18 May, and the attempt to
replace the work of the UN with the highly
controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).</p>
<p>The court found that Israel, through the GHF, had
not ensured that the population of the Gaza Strip is
adequately supplied as required by international
humanitarian law.</p>
<p>"The court notes the UN acting through Unrwa had
been an indispensable provider of humanitarian
relief," the opinion read.</p>
<p>"The court considers that Israel is under an
obligation to agree to and faciliate relief schemes
provided by the UN and its entities, including
Unrwa." </p>
<p>The advisory opinion comes six months after <a
href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israels-gaza-humanitarian-blockade-unconscionable-and-deeply-illegal-says-norway-deputy"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true">hearings</a>
by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The
Hague, where more than 40 states and international
organisations presented evidence mostly arguing that
Israel had breached its international legal
obligations to facilitate the entry of aid to the
Palestinian population under its occupation.</p>
<p>Only the <a
href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-tells-icj-international-law-allows-israel-attack-un-agencies-are-impartial"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true">US</a> and
Hungary disputed the majority opinion, arguing for
an interpretation of international humanitarian law
in favour of limiting such obligation due to
military necessity and Israel's security.</p>
<p>The case was prompted by Israel banning Unrwa, the
UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in October 2024,
an event that sparked global outrage and calls for
Israel to be ejected from the United Nations due to
accusations that it violated the founding charter,
particularly the privileges and immunities enjoyed
by its agencies. </p>
<p>Wednesday\u2019s ruling is the third advisory opinion
case since 2004 to be heard before the ICJ in
relation to Israel\u2019s violations of international
law. </p>
<p>ICJ advisory opinions are highly authoritative
among states and the court's interpretation of a
legal question is considered binding as a matter of
general international law.</p>
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