ICJ: Israel Must Facilitate Aid to Gaza

The International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion finding that Israel, as an occupying power, is obliged to facilitate and ease passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza and to allow UN agencies such as UNRWA to operate. The court found Israel had not substantiated allegations that a significant number of UNRWA employees were members of Hamas and said UNRWA had not breached impartiality. Though non-binding, the opinion carries legal and moral weight and is expected to increase international pressure on Israel to cooperate with the UN and other aid agencies. Israel did not participate in the hearings and had previously banned UNRWA after accusing some staff of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks. The Palestinian delegate urged the international community to ensure compliance, while aid groups are scrambling to scale up assistance after a ceasefire, with agencies such as the World Food Programme reporting hundreds of trucks crossing into Gaza amid acute humanitarian needs.