World Court Rules Israeli Ban on UNRWA Violates International Law
ICJ orders Israel to allow humanitarian aid for Palestinians and stop using starvation as a weapon.
The Hague (October 22, 2025): The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared that Israel’s restrictions on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and its obstruction of aid to Gaza and the occupied West Bank are clear violations of international law.
In a landmark ruling delivered on Wednesday, the court found that as an occupying power, Israel is legally bound to ensure Palestinians receive essential supplies including food, medicine, and shelter, in line with international humanitarian law.
Judges voted 10 to 1, directing Israel to take all possible measures to facilitate and not hinder aid operations carried out by the United Nations and its agencies especially UNRWA in Gaza.
The court also reminded Israel to refrain from forced displacement of civilians and to respect the prohibition on using hunger as a weapon of war.
The ruling dismissed Israel’s claim that a large number of UNRWA staff were linked to Hamas, saying Israel failed to provide sufficient evidence. The judges stressed that UNRWA remains a neutral and essential humanitarian body operating under the UN General Assembly’s mandate.
The court further criticized Israel’s complete blockade of Gaza between March and May 2025, saying that substitutes like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) were unable to meet urgent needs, declaring that “aid without UNRWA is not possible.”
Over 40 countries and international organizations presented evidence against Israel, showing it was neglecting its global obligations. Only the United States and Hungary spoke in Israel’s defense.
This opinion marks the third major ICJ advisory ruling against Israel and is considered a significant legal and moral victory for the Palestinian people.
