International Court of Justice: advisory opinion issued on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence of international and humanitarian organisations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

On 19 December 2024, the General Assembly adopted a resolution to urgently request an Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel’s obligations in relations to the UN and other international organizations and countries vested in humanitarian operations in Palestine.

The ICJ published the the advisory opinion on 22 October, 2025, in which it held that Israel is bound by international humanitarian law and human rights law to respect and protect civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), to ensure that aid workers and medical facilities are safeguarded and that no civilians are forcibly transferred or deprived of food. The ICJ also reaffirmed Israel’s obligation to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) access to detainees in the OPT and that it must respect and protect all aid workers, medical personnel and facilities. 

Additionally, ten of the eleven judges agreed that Israel must respect the privileges and immunities of the UN and its officials, including the Palestine refugee relief agency UNRWA, in accordance with the UN Charter. 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk welcomed the Advisory Opinion and declared that Israel’s obligations under international law are clear:  Palestinians have the right to essential supplies and Israel is bound to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of Palestinians. On the contrary, Israel’s Foreign Ministry declared that Israel rejects the ICJ’s advisory opinion, describing it as an attempt to impose political measures against Israel.