In a contentious hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United States defended Israel’s actions against the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), asserting that they do not necessarily violate international law. Despite a sustained blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza lasting nearly two months, U.S. representative Joshua Simmons argued that Article 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention does not impose an absolute obligation on an occupying power to permit aid entry. Citing concerns over UNRWA’s alleged ties to Hamas—which were previously dismissed by a UN-led inquiry—Simmons claimed Israel’s ban on the agency and restrictions on aid access could be justified on security grounds.
The U.S. stance was backed by Hungary, which dismissed the ICJ’s proceedings as politically motivated and emphasized Israel’s right to act in self-defense. Meanwhile, Russia, Turkey, France, and Indonesia condemned Israel’s blockade, accusing it of breaching humanitarian law and obstructing the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. Russian and Turkish delegates criticized Israel for weaponizing hunger and systematically targeting civilian infrastructure, while France and Indonesia called for unimpeded humanitarian access and the protection of aid workers. These nations argued that Israel’s actions severely undermine the international legal framework meant to safeguard civilians under occupation.
UNRWA, established in 1949 to support displaced Palestinian refugees, has been a crucial lifeline in Gaza, the West Bank, and neighboring countries. Since the October 2023 war, Israel has labeled the agency a terrorist organization, banned its operations, and accused 12 of its employees of aiding Hamas—claims refuted by independent investigations. The resulting donor backlash has left the agency in a financial crisis, despite continued attacks on its staff and facilities. Over 290 UNRWA staff have been killed and more than 300 installations damaged since the war began, sparking global outrage and intensified scrutiny of Israel’s legal obligations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
