The ICJ Has Found Israel Is Violating International Law By Banning UNRWA And Blocking Aid To Gaza
ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said Israel was "under an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities".
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel’s ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees UNRWA and aid blockade in Gaza violates international law.
Israel had banned the UNRWA from “conducting any activity” in Israel, as well as in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza on Oct. 28, 2024, and repeatedly attacked and accused UNRWA workers of working for Hamas, killing more than 300 UNRWA workers since Oct. 7, 2023.
It has also imposed an air and land blockade on Gaza, blocking aid from entering and allowing only a minimal amount of aid to enter, leading to famine being officially declared in Gaza City on July 29, 2025.
In December 2024, the UN General Assembly requested the ICJ advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations regarding allowing UN agencies and other relief groups to work in the Palestinian territory it occupies.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, the ICJ ruled that Israel's ban and blockade violate international law.
ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa said Israel was "under an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities".
He said that Israel didn’t provide proof of UNRAW being infiltrated by Hamas, adding that using starvation as a method of warfare against civilians is prohibited under international law, and Israel's restrictions on aid are a violation of this principle.
The ICJ’s ruling came after Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza, which took effect on Oct. 10.
Israel has violated the ceasefire 80 times, killing more than 97 people since the ceasefire began, and blocking aid from entering as agreed upon, according to Gaza’s media office.
Although the ICJ's orders are legally binding, it has no way of enforcing them.
Earlier in 2024, the court had ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide in Gaza and ruled that Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories is illegal and in violation of international law.
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
