"The International Justice" obliges Israel to facilitate aid to Gaza and criticizes its claims regarding "UNRWA."

The International Court of Justice ruled today, Wednesday, that Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to facilitate and secure the entry of relief efforts carried out by the United Nations and its agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The panel of judges, consisting of 11 members, added that Israel is required to ensure the fulfillment of the "basic needs" of civilians in the Gaza Strip, including essential supplies for their survival.

During a session held by the court in The Hague to issue an "advisory opinion" defining Israel's obligations regarding aid, the court's president, Yuji Iwasawa, confirmed that the court did not find evidence to support Israel's claims regarding the neutrality of UNRWA, which alleged that a significant number of the agency's staff are members of "terrorist" factions.

The ruling carries "significant legal weight and moral authority," despite being a non-binding advisory opinion, after the United Nations requested the court to clarify Israel's obligations as an occupying power to ensure and facilitate the provision of urgent and necessary supplies for the "survival" of Palestinians.

The status of UNRWA was a key focus during the week-long hearings held last April, in which Israel did not participate.

Tensions between the two sides escalated after Israel banned the agency's operations on its territory and accused some of its staff of involvement on October 7, 2023.

Although an independent report led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna acknowledged in April 2024 the existence of "neutrality-related issues" within UNRWA, it indicated that Israel "has not yet provided supporting evidence" for its claim that a large number of the agency's staff are members of "terrorist" organizations.

This is the third such ruling issued by the court regarding Israel's practices since the outbreak of the Israeli aggression on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

The court had previously ruled in July that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is illegal, and it had earlier issued a ruling ordering Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent genocide in Gaza.