ICJ Orders Israel to Allow Humanitarian Aid into Gaza, Citing Breach of International Obligations

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel must permit and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, finding that its actions have breached international law. The advisory opinion, issued on October 22, 2025, stated that Israel, as the occupying power, is legally obligated to ensure unimpeded access for relief agencies, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The court emphasised that Israel cannot use security concerns as a blanket justification to restrict aid or suspend humanitarian operations. It ruled that essential supplies such as food, water, fuel, medical aid, and shelter materials must be allowed into Gaza without obstruction. The ICJ also rejected Israel’s claim that UNRWA had been compromised by alleged militant infiltration, saying the evidence provided was “not substantiated.”

Although the ICJ’s opinion is non-binding, it carries significant legal and moral authority under the UN system. The court found that Israel’s policies, including the blockade and restrictions on relief agencies, violated obligations under the Geneva Conventions, the UN Charter, and customary international law governing occupied territories. It further condemned any use of starvation as a method of warfare and criticised the mass displacement of civilians.

The ruling comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where UN agencies report widespread shortages of basic necessities, the collapse of healthcare systems, and continued displacement. The ICJ urged Israel to cooperate fully with the United Nations to facilitate relief schemes and restore operational freedom for aid organisations.

Israel dismissed the court’s findings as politically motivated, asserting that it continues to act within the framework of international law. A statement from Israel’s foreign ministry argued that the court had overlooked security realities and Hamas’s role in destabilising the region.

The ruling has drawn mixed global reactions. Several European nations and human rights groups welcomed it as a step toward accountability, while the United States expressed reservations, saying that humanitarian access should not compromise Israel’s right to self-defence. Norway and other UN member states indicated they would push for a General Assembly resolution reflecting the ICJ’s opinion.

With Gaza’s humanitarian situation at breaking point, the court’s decision has renewed international pressure on Israel to ease restrictions and allow the UN to resume large-scale aid deliveries.