UN Secretary-General Welcomes International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on Israel's Obligations under International Law

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has welcomed the Advisory Opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, which reaffirmed several fundamental obligations of Israel under international law. The Court emphasized Israel's duty to ensure the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has essential supplies of daily life, and that Israel must not impede humanitarian relief schemes, including those provided by the United Nations. The Opinion also reaffirmed Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law to respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities, and to respect the prohibition of forcible transfer and deportation of civilian population and the prohibition of use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.

Key Takeaways:

• The International Court of Justice reaffirmed Israel's obligations under international law to ensure the population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory has essential supplies of daily life.
• Israel is under an obligation to agree to and facilitate appropriate impartial relief schemes, including those provided by the United Nations.
• The Court reaffirmed Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law to respect and protect all relief and medical personnel and facilities.
• Israel must respect the prohibition of forcible transfer and deportation of civilian population and the prohibition of use of starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare.
• The Court reaffirmed Israel's obligation to cooperate with the United Nations, including UNRWA, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
• The Secretary-General urged Israel to comply with its obligations in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations and other humanitarian actors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Statistics:

• The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has been providing humanitarian relief in Gaza since 1949.
• Over 2 million people in Gaza are dependent on UNRWA food assistance.
• The Advisory Opinion is the 48th issued by the International Court of Justice since its establishment in 1945.
• The Opinion was requested by the General Assembly, which had requested the Court's advice on the matter.

Sources:

• International Court of Justice: Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of Israel under International Law (2025)
• United Nations Secretary-General's Statement on the Advisory Opinion (2025)
• United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA): Gaza Situation (as of 2025)
• International Humanitarian Law: Prohibition of Starvation as a Method of Warfare (2020)
• United Nations General Assembly: Request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of Israel under International Law (2025)