US tells ICJ that law allows Israel to hinder work of UN agencies 'even if impartial'

A US official addressing the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday defended Israel’s restrictions on United Nations agencies in Gaza as potentially lawful.

On the third day of hearings by the World Court in The Hague examining Israel’s legal humanitarian obligations in occupied Palestine, the US rejected the opinion held by the majority of states that Israel has breached international law in its conduct related to UN and international organisations during its war on Gaza since October 2023. 

The current ICJ proceedings have been prompted by Israel banning the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) in October.

The ban sparked global outrage and calls for Israel to be ejected from the United Nations due to accusations that it violated the founding charter, particularly the privileges and immunities enjoyed by UN agencies. 

Read more: US tells ICJ it's lawful for Israel to curtail work of UN agencies