US questions Unrwa neutrality during ICJ hearing on Gaza aid

A US official told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday that Washington has “serious concerns” about the neutrality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa.

Josh Simmons, representing the US State Department’s legal team, said, “there are serious concerns about Unrwa’s impartiality, including information that Hamas has used Unrwa facilities and that Unrwa staff participated in the 7 October terrorist attack against Israel,” according to AFP.

The ICJ is holding a week-long session to consider Israel’s legal responsibilities toward UN bodies providing aid in Gaza.

Israel suspended all cooperation with Unrwa earlier this year, claiming that the agency had links to Hamas - accusations Unrwa strongly denies and for which Israel has provided no evidence.