ICJ's Gaza Advisory Opinion: Implications for International Aid

The International Court of Justice will issue an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations to U.N. aid organizations in Gaza and the West Bank. This opinion, requested by the U.N. General Assembly, could impact beyond the Gaza conflict and concerns states' protections for U.N. staff worldwide.

The International Court of Justice, the United Nations' principal judicial body, is poised to deliver a significant advisory opinion regarding Israel's responsibilities to U.N. and other aid entities operating in Gaza and the West Bank. The U.N. General Assembly initiated this inquiry last December, and its outcome will be scrutinized closely due to potential ramifications extending beyond the current Gaza conflict.

Though the ICJ's advisory opinions are non-binding and lack enforcement authority, they possess substantial legal and political influence. Earlier this year, U.N. and Palestinian legal representatives charged Israel with international law violations for obstructing aid to Gaza. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire permitting daily aid deliveries, the scale of relief remains inadequate for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel, although absent from ICJ hearings, submitted a written legal stance. In April, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the hearings as political maneuvering. This ICJ evaluation follows a 2023 Israeli law restricting UNRWA activities in Israel, attributing Hamas affiliations to its members. As the court prepares to announce its decision, the international community awaits its potential consequences.

(With inputs from agencies.)