The International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel has an obligation to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip by the United Nations and its agencies to ensure that the basic needs of Palestinian civilians are met.
Israel has failed to substantiate claims that the United Nations agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa) lacks neutrality or that many of its staff are members of Hamas or other armed groups, according to an advisory opinion from the U.N.’s top court. Unrwa denied these claims.
Israel rejected the comments as “political” and insisted it would not cooperate with Unrwa.
Although this opinion is not binding, it has considerable moral and diplomatic significance.
The UN General Assembly asked the ICJ in December for an opinion on Israel’s legal obligations towards UN agencies and international organizations operating in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
This comes after Israel’s parliament passed a law banning Unrwa’s activities on Israeli territory and contact with Israeli officials.
The ICJ was also asked to comment on Israel’s obligation to allow unhindered delivery of essential supplies to Palestinian civilians.
Israel has tightened its blockade of the Gaza Strip since its war against Hamas began two years ago and has since restricted, and at times stopped altogether, the entry of food and other aid to the population of 2.1 million.
Before the ceasefire took effect this month, global experts backed by the United Nations estimated that more than 640,000 people were facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity and that a “completely man-made” famine was brewing in Gaza City.
Israel has refused to declare a famine, insisting it is allowing sufficient food.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the ICJ’s advisory opinion was “entirely predictable from the beginning regarding Unrwa.”
He added, “This is another political attempt to take political action against Israel under the pretext of ‘international law.’”
Unrwa Gaza’s acting director, Sam Rose, told the BBC that the ICJ welcomed its opinion “because it highlights Israel’s obligations under international law”.
“Today’s ruling says that Israel’s laws against Unrwa, as well as its conduct on the ground, contravene those obligations,” he said.
