United Nations, Oct 23 (IANS) — The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared that Israel is obligated to uphold international human rights laws in the Palestinian territories and to cooperate with the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies in providing relief to civilians.
The advisory opinion, issued on Wednesday in The Hague at the request of the UN General Assembly, is not legally binding on Israel but represents a symbolic victory for the UN and a reaffirmation of international humanitarian principles.
In its strongly worded statement, the World Court said Israel must “respect the prohibition on the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare” and ensure that “essential supplies of daily life — including food, water, clothing, shelter, fuel, medical supplies, and services — are provided to the people in the Palestinian territories.”
The ruling comes amid warnings from the UN that Gaza’s population faces severe food shortages and the threat of famine due to restrictions on humanitarian aid during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, which carried out a deadly terror attack on Israel in 2023.
The ICJ also stated that Israel is required to cooperate with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides critical assistance to Palestinians. Israel, however, has banned the agency’s operations, accusing some of its employees of links with Hamas.
Responding to the opinion, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Danny Danon, wrote on X: “While The Hague accuses Israel, it deliberately ignores the war crimes of Hamas and the role of UNRWA, which has long become a breeding ground for terror in Gaza.”
Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the court’s findings as a “politicisation of international law aimed at producing political outcomes.” The US State Department also criticised the advisory opinion, calling it a “nakedly politicised, non-binding” decision that “unfairly targets Israel while overlooking UNRWA’s ties to Hamas.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the ruling and urged Israel to comply. “The Secretary-General strongly urges Israel to respect its obligations regarding the presence and activities of the United Nations and other humanitarian actors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” said his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.
The advisory opinion was requested under a UN General Assembly resolution adopted last year with 137 votes in favour — including India’s — 12 against, and 22 abstentions, during the height of the Gaza conflict.
Reading the opinion, ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said parts of the ruling were unanimous, while Vice President Julia Sebutinde dissented on certain points.
Last year, the ICJ also issued a separate advisory opinion declaring Israel’s continued occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem — territories seized during the 1967 Six-Day War — as unlawful.
