Legal blow to Israel: ICJ acquits UNRWA and condemns starvation policies in Gaza

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on Wednesday that there is no evidence that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has violated the principle of neutrality or practised discrimination in the distribution of aid within the occupied Palestinian territories, refuting Israel’s repeated allegations in this regard.

During a hearing held by the court in The Hague to issue its advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations towards humanitarian aid to Palestinians, the president of the court, Yuji Iwasawa, confirmed that Israel has failed to prove its claims that a large proportion of UNRWA employees are affiliated with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) or any other factions classified as terrorist organisations.

ICJ warns against the use of starvation as a weapon of war

The court, which is the highest judicial body of the United Nations, stressed that Israel is legally obliged to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, especially that provided by UNRWA, warning against the use of starvation as a weapon of war in the Strip.

The court affirmed that Israel must enable all humanitarian relief plans for the population in the occupied Palestinian territories and ensure the provision of basic necessities for their survival, including food, medicine, water and fuel. It also unanimously concluded that, as an occupying power, Israel is obliged to respect its international legal obligations and must refrain from imposing its laws and legislation within the occupied Palestinian territories.

This is the third such ruling issued by the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s practices since it began its aggression against Gaza more than two years ago. In July last year, the court ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories was illegal, and it had previously issued a ruling in a genocide case demanding that Israel take immediate measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by South Africa in December 2023, accusing Israel of committing crimes amounting to genocide against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, prompting the court to issue provisional measures requiring Israel to protect the population and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid.

Featured image via ICJ website