ICJ says Israel must allow aid into blockaded Gaza, provide basic needs'

"The panel of 11 judges said on Wednesday that Israel is forced to support the relief efforts provided by the United Nations in the bombarded Gaza Strip and its entities. list of 3 itemsend of list It includes UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, which Israel has banned from operating in Israel after accusing some of its staff of taking part in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack."

"As part of its findings, the ICJ said Israel has failed to show evidence that UNRWA also worked for Hamas as it claimed. The court finds that Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA's employees are members of Hamas or other terrorist factions', said ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa. Advisory opinions of the ICJ, also known as the world court, carry legal and political weight, but they are not binding, and the court has no enforcement power."

"In April, lawyers for the United Nations and Palestinian representatives at the ICJ accused Israel of breaking international law by refusing to let aid into Gaza between March and May. Since then, some humanitarian aid has been allowed in, but UN officials say the relief is nowhere near what is needed to ease a humanitarian disaster and an Israeli-induced famine in parts of the enclave."

An 11-judge ICJ panel issued an advisory opinion that obliges Israel to support United Nations relief efforts and ensure Gaza’s basic needs are met. The opinion specifically includes UNRWA, which Israel banned after accusing some staff of involvement in the October 7, 2023 attack. The court found Israel failed to provide evidence that UNRWA personnel worked for Hamas or that a significant portion of staff were members of terrorist groups. Advisory opinions carry legal and political weight but are non-binding and unenforceable. UN and Palestinian representatives accused Israel of blocking aid between March and May, and current aid deliveries remain insufficient.

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