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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion on Wednesday, compelling Israel to immediately ease the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza and provide Palestinians with the essential supplies needed for survival.
The court stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, is obliged to ensure the population’s basic needs and must not impede relief efforts or use starvation as a method of warfare.
The ICJ ruling specifically mandated that Israel agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations, including the banned agency, UNRWA.
ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa noted the court found Israel’s allegations against UNRWA staff, which led to the ban, were unsubstantiated.
Israel, which did not participate in the proceedings, categorically rejected the court’s findings shortly after they were announced.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein dismissed the opinion as “yet another political attempt to impose political measures against Israel,” adding that Israel would not cooperate with UNRWA.
The ICJ, however, rejected the claim that the advisory request weaponised the judicial process.
While the advisory opinion is not legally binding, the ICJ maintains that it carries “great legal weight and moral authority.”
In the immediate aftermath of the ruling, Norway announced its plan to propose a UN General Assembly resolution to compel Israel to lift the aid restrictions.
Palestinian delegate Ammar Hijazi urged the international community to ensure Israel’s compliance.
The ruling comes as aid groups struggle to meet demand, despite a recent ceasefire.
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) reported that while over 6,700 tonnes of food have been delivered since the October 10 ceasefire, the current daily rate (750 tonnes) remains far below the WFP’s target of 2,000 tonnes needed daily to support the territory.
This case is separate from other international legal actions Israel faces, including genocide accusations at the ICJ and war crimes warrants from the International Criminal Court.
