• The ICJ ordered Israel to allow and facilitate humanitarian aid to Gaza.
• The ruling emphasizes Israel’s obligation to meet the basic needs of Palestinians in the region.
• Israel's claims against UNRWA staff have not been substantiated, according to the ICJ.
• The ruling highlights the necessity of UN institutions in providing essential aid amidst ongoing humanitarian crises.
• Hamas welcomed the ruling, interpreting it as confirmation of genocide against Palestinians.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on October 22, 2025, that Israel is obliged to support United Nations relief efforts in Gaza, specifically those conducted by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The court emphasized Israel's duty to ensure that the basic needs of the Palestinian population are met, including food, water, and medical aid, and rejected claims made by Israel regarding the involvement of UNRWA staff with militant groups like Hamas, stating that “Israel has not substantiated its allegations" on this matter, according to Reuters and BBC.

The ICJ found that Israel has failed to demonstrate that a significant portion of UNRWA employees are affiliated with Hamas and stressed that “the occupying power may never invoke reasons of security to justify the general suspension of all humanitarian activities in occupied territory," as stated in its advisory opinion. The ruling firmly establishes that Israel must facilitate humanitarian aid and is critical for alleviating suffering in Gaza, which has faced severe blockades and shortages since the onset of conflict, according to Middle East Eye and Le Monde.