ISTANBUL, Oct 23 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Wednesday that Israel is obliged under the Geneva Convention to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by third states and impartial humanitarian groups, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
According to the ICJ, these relief schemes include the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), to ensure that sufficient aid reaches the Gaza Strip.
In its detailed opinion the world court underscored that Israel, as the occupying power, carries an unconditional duty to ensure the local population’s basic needs are met.
It found that the population of Gaza has been "inadequately" supplied under Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and that Israel must therefore permit and assist humanitarian relief operations.
The court said that following the events of Oct 7, 2023, Israel killed over 68,000 people over the next two years and severely restricted the entry of aid, even blocking the delivery of humanitarian and medical supplies starting on March 2, allowing only limited amounts to resume as of May 19.
Rejecting Israel’s claims that UNRWA staff were affiliated with armed groups, the court stated that “Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA employees are members of Hamas” or what it called “other terrorist organisations.”
It also found no evidence of discrimination in the UNRWA’s distribution of aid based on nationality, race, religion, or political opinion.
"The occupying power may never invoke reasons of security to justify the general suspension of all humanitarian activities in occupied territory," the court said, reiterating that Israel’s obligation to facilitate aid is “unconditional.”
It reaffirmed that the law of occupation applies alongside international humanitarian law governing hostilities, and that Israel must comply with both sets of obligations.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU