ICJ orders Israel to ensure humanitarian access to Gaza Strip

Decision of the International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has issued an advisory opinion according to which Israel, as the occupying power, is obliged to allow humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip.

The court ruled that Tel Aviv must guarantee:

• unhindered work of the UN missions and its agencies;

• Admission of humanitarian goods - food, water, medicine and fuel;

• creating conditions for the safe distribution of aid to the civilian population.

«The occupying power has the obligation to guarantee the population of the occupied territory access to basic means of subsistence,» said the court's chairman, Yuji Iwasawa.

Israel's reaction

Israeli authorities rejected the court's decision, The government has also denounced the decision as «political» and «ignoring security risks».
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also reported that the country will not cooperate with UNRWA, accusing him of having «links with Hamas terrorists».

The government stressed that humanitarian aid is already entering the Gaza Strip «in coordination with third parties».

UN response

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the court's decision and called on Israel to comply with it:

«Humanitarian access is not a political issue, but a matter of life and death. We are ready to deliver aid to those who need it.».

He added that the UN has already prepared additional supplies for the deployment of humanitarian corridors in coordination with Egypt.

Context.

The court decision must advisory nature, It is not legally binding, but has high political and moral weight.
Analysts note that this creates additional international pressure on Israel and its allies.

The situation in the Gaza Strip remains critical, according to the UN, more than 2 million people need constant assistance, and hundreds of thousands are at risk of starvation.