World Court Orders Israel to Allow UNRWA Aid into Gaza, Citing Legal Obligation
ICJ Rules Israel Must Facilitate UN Aid as Gaza Ceasefire Holds Amid Aggression
THE HAGUE, Netherlands: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Wednesday that Israel is legally obliged to allow and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, specifically by the main UN aid provider in the territory, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The Hague-based court’s advisory opinion comes in response to a request made by the UN General Assembly late last year. The General Assembly had sought clarification on Israel’s legal obligations after the country passed laws that effectively banned UNRWA from operating within the territory.
ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa declared that Israel “is under the obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA,” underscoring the necessity of allowing the beleaguered agency to provide humanitarian relief to the Palestinian enclave.
The World Court’s opinion was delivered as a fragile, US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, which took effect on October 10, continues to hold. However, the truce remains threatened by continued Israeli aggression, which local health officials report has killed at least 88 Palestinians and injured more than 300 others since the ceasefire began.
