© International Court of Justice/F. van Beek The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian territories International Law
The International Court of Justice has issued an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations as an occupying power with respect to the presence and activities of the UN, other international organizations and third states in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The court confirmed that Israel is obliged to comply with international humanitarian law, including providing the population with food, water, shelter, fuel, medical care and other necessary means of survival.
The court ruled that Israel must “agree with and cooperate in all possible funds for humanitarian operations,” including the activities of UN agencies, primarily UNRWA, and not to interfere with their work. In addition, Israel has an obligation to respect and protect medical and humanitarian personnel, to prevent forced relocation and deportation, and not to use starvation as a method of warfare.
The International Court of Justice also stated that Israel must cooperate with the UN in good faith, ensure the inviolability of the Organization’s premises and property, and respect privileges and immunities of employees of the UN and other international structures.