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Source: BBC News

DST News: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared that Israel is legally required to allow the United Nations and its agencies to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza to meet the essential needs of Palestinian civilians.

In its advisory opinion, the UN’s top judicial body also stated that Israel failed to provide credible evidence supporting its claims that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) was biased or that many of its employees were affiliated with Hamas or other armed groups.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope that Israel would comply with what he called a “very important decision.” However, Israel dismissed the ICJ’s opinion as “political” and reaffirmed its refusal to cooperate with UNRWA, which it has officially banned.

Although the ruling is not legally binding, it carries substantial moral and diplomatic significance.

The UN General Assembly had requested the ICJ’s opinion in December, seeking clarification on Israel’s obligations as an occupying power and UN member toward UN and other international organizations working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

The request followed Israel’s legislative move to outlaw UNRWA’s operations within its territory and prohibit any contact with Israeli officials.

The ICJ was also asked to assess Israel’s responsibility to ensure the unhindered flow of essential supplies to Palestinians.

Since launching its war against Hamas two years ago, Israel has tightened its blockade on Gaza, severely restricting—and at times halting—the entry of food and other humanitarian aid for its 2.1 million residents.

Before the recent ceasefire took effect, UN-backed experts warned that over 640,000 people were suffering from catastrophic food insecurity and that Gaza City was experiencing an “entirely man-made” famine. Israel rejected these findings, asserting that it was allowing sufficient food deliveries.