UN Court Rules Israel Must Permit UNRWA Access, Allow Gaza Aid/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel must allow UNRWA to deliver aid into Gaza. The advisory opinion comes amid a fragile ceasefire and worsening humanitarian crisis. Though nonbinding, the decision adds pressure on Israel over its Gaza blockade and international legal obligations.
UN Court Ruling on Gaza Aid + Quick Looks
- The ICJ ordered Israel to allow UNRWA aid deliveries into Gaza.
- Israel has banned UNRWA since January, citing Hamas infiltration.
- The ruling follows a UN request for legal clarification.
- Israel did not attend court hearings but submitted a written response.
- ICJ opinions are advisory but carry significant legal influence.
- Ceasefire agreement allows 600 aid trucks per day into Gaza.
- Israel faces separate ICC arrest warrants over alleged war crimes.
- Gaza famine declared in August; UN says aid access is critical.
- ICJ ruling echoes past opinions critical of Israeli policies.
Deep Look: UN Court Orders Israel to Allow Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — October 22, 2025 – The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ top judicial body, ruled Wednesday that Israel must allow the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The decision, though technically advisory, adds legal and moral weight to international calls for unrestricted aid access in a territory ravaged by war and hunger.
The court stated that Israel is “under the obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” said ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa during the announcement.
This ruling comes amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, where humanitarian needs have escalated dramatically due to years of blockade, intense conflict, and a recent ban on UNRWA operations by the Israeli government.
Israel’s UNRWA Ban and Humanitarian Fallout
Israel’s ban on UNRWA, implemented in January 2025, cut off Gaza’s primary humanitarian aid source. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right coalition members claim UNRWA is compromised by Hamas — allegations the agency firmly denies.
The ban was followed by a three-month halt in all aid shipments, which triggered widespread food shortages. Israel later permitted limited aid while supporting the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private, U.S.-backed group, to handle distribution — a move widely criticized for lacking neutrality.
Despite those efforts, aid remained insufficient. In August, international food security experts declared a famine in parts of Gaza. Israel claimed there was ample food and accused Hamas of hoarding supplies — a claim not independently verified. After the October 10 ceasefire, GHF suspended operations.
Legal Context of the ICJ Advisory Opinion
The ICJ’s opinion was issued in response to a December 2024 request by the UN General Assembly for clarity on Israel’s obligations under international law, especially concerning its role in blocking humanitarian aid and the operations of UN agencies.
While advisory in nature and nonbinding, ICJ opinions are considered highly authoritative interpretations of international law. According to UN treaties governing protection of its personnel, such opinions “shall be accepted as decisive by the parties.”
“We cannot let states pick and choose where the U.N. is going to do its work,” said Mike Becker, international law expert at Trinity College Dublin. “This opinion reinforces that critical principle.”
Israel declined to attend the court’s April hearings, calling the process biased and politically motivated, but submitted a 38-page legal brief defending its actions.
A Ceasefire Under Strain
The court’s ruling aligns with a broader context of attempted de-escalation. A ceasefire brokered by the U.S. took effect on October 10, aiming to end two years of conflict. Per the agreement, 600 humanitarian aid trucks are to be allowed into Gaza daily.
Despite the deal, tensions remain high. Earlier this week, Israeli airstrikes killed several people after Hamas militants reportedly ambushed Israeli troops, killing two. The fragile peace is holding — but only just.
On Monday, Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya confirmed to Egypt’s Al-Qahera News that Israel has allowed increased aid shipments under the ceasefire agreement.
The Voices at the Court
During April’s ICJ hearings, Palestinian Ambassador to the Netherlands Ammar Hijazi accused Israel of “starving, killing, and displacing Palestinians” and “blocking humanitarian organizations trying to save lives.”
Israel has rejected those charges, arguing it must prioritize national security and accusing the UN of politicizing the crisis.
The ICJ ruling echoes two past opinions critical of Israeli policies: a 2004 decision declaring the West Bank separation barrier illegal, and a 2024 ruling deeming Israel’s presence in the occupied territories unlawful. Both decisions were rejected by Israel.
ICC Warrants and Broader Legal Pressures
In a separate case, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last year for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of using starvation as a weapon of war and intentionally targeting civilians — allegations Israel strongly denies.
Additionally, South Africa has filed a case at the ICJ accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Israel dismisses the claim as political cover for Hamas.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Toll
The war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 250 hostages. Israel’s military response has led to over 68,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. These figures are considered credible by the U.N. and independent observers, though Israel disputes them and has not published its own estimates.
Broader Implications
While the ICJ cannot enforce its ruling, its opinion could shape international diplomatic efforts, future UN mandates, and legal justifications for humanitarian access — especially as famine conditions persist and aid remains inconsistent.
With tensions high and aid still in short supply, the court’s directive may add pressure on Israel to reconsider its blockade policy — or risk further isolation on the world stage.
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