ICJ orders Israel to allow UNRWA aid into Gaza amid ceasefire and famine crisis
ICJ demands Israel permit UNRWA aid to Gaza, citing famine risks and humanitarian obligations under international law
The International Court of Justice said on Wednesday that Israel must allow the UN aid agency in Gaza, known as UNRWA, to provide humanitarian help to the Palestinian territory.
The Hague-based court was asked last year by the UN General Assembly to determine Israel’s legal obligations after the country effectively banned the agency, the main provider of aid to Gaza, from operating there.
Israel “is under the obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said.
Ceasefire to consider
The advisory opinion from the World Court comes as a fragile US-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement, which took effect on October 10, continues to hold.
Israel has denied it has violated international law, saying the court’s proceedings were biased, and the country did not attend hearings in April. However, Israel provided a 38-page written submission for the court to consider.
UNRWA ban
The UN aid agency in Gaza has been effectively banned from the territory since January. UNRWA has faced criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies, who say the group is deeply infiltrated by Hamas.