ICJ declares Israel’s Gaza blockade a form of genocide
Court rules starvation as warfare illegal, genocidal, rejects Israeli attempts to legalize settlements in occupied Palestinian territories
THE HAGUE (MNTV) — The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled that Israel’s blockade of Gaza and use of starvation as a method of warfare constitute acts of genocide, while also rejecting attempts to legalize Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In its advisory opinion, the court found that Israel, an occupying power, is obligated under the Fourth Geneva Convention to facilitate humanitarian relief operations by third-party states and neutral organizations such as the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The ICJ said Israel must ensure adequate aid reaches Gaza and refrain from obstructing relief efforts.
The court emphasized that Israel has an unconditional duty to guarantee the basic needs of Gaza’s population, noting that the enclave has been “inadequately supplied” under Article 59 of the Geneva Convention.
It further determined that Israel’s domestic laws cannot be applied within occupied Palestinian territories, effectively rejecting any move to legalize or expand settlements by force.
The ruling cited evidence that, following the October 7, 2023 Israel’s ensuing military campaign that killed more than 68,000 Palestinians over two years, Israel had imposed severe restrictions on humanitarian aid.
The ICJ noted that medical and food supplies were blocked beginning March 2 and that only limited deliveries resumed after May 19.
Following the ruling, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas welcomed the ICJ’s findings, calling them confirmation that Israel’s actions amount to genocide and that its settlement policies are unlawful.
“The ICJ decision banning the use of starvation as a method of warfare confirms that the (Israeli) occupation, which deliberately starves Palestinians, is committing a form of genocide,” Hamas said in a statement.
Hamas also said the court’s opinion reinforces the legitimacy and humanitarian role of UNRWA and other UN agencies in aiding Palestinians. It urged the international community to act swiftly to ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and prevent Israel from “using it as a political weapon.”
The advisory opinion came in response to a December 2024 request by the UN General Assembly asking the court to clarify Israel’s legal obligations regarding the presence and operations of the UN and other international actors in the occupied territories.
Public hearings were held from April 28 to May 2, 2025, during which 39 countries and several international and regional bodies—including the UN, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the African Union—presented arguments before the court.
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