The U.S. State Department sharply criticized the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion requiring Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza through UN agencies, including UNRWA. Washington described the non-binding ruling as corrupt and politically biased against Israel. The decision dismissed Israel's concerns about UNRWA's alleged ties to Hamas.
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the U.S. State Department issued a strong rebuke against the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following its recent advisory opinion. The ICJ ruled that Israel is legally obligated under international law to cooperate with United Nations agencies, including the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), to ensure Gaza's population receives essential supplies such as food, water, medical care, and shelter. The opinion also condemned the use of starvation or forcible deportations as methods of warfare and extended requirements to populations in Judea and Samaria, and East Jerusalem.
In a post on X, the State Department labeled the decision as "another corrupt ruling by the ICJ." It stated: "As President Trump and Secretary Rubio work tirelessly to bring peace to the region, this so-called 'court' issues a nakedly politicized non-binding 'advisory opinion' unfairly bashes Israel and gives UNRWA a free pass for its deep…" The department further warned: "The ICJ’s ongoing abuse of its advisory opinion discretion suggests that it is nothing more than a partisan political tool, which can be weaponized against Americans."
The ICJ dismissed Israel's arguments that UNRWA facilities contain Hamas command centers, weapons caches, and that hundreds of its employees are Hamas operatives, finding "insufficient evidence" of collaboration. This contrasts with statements like former UNRWA head Peter Hansen's: "I'm sure there are Hamas members on the UNRWA payroll and I don't see that as a crime."
Israel's Foreign Ministry categorically rejected the opinion, calling cooperation with an agency "infested with terror activities" unacceptable and accusing the court of ignoring extensive evidence of UNRWA's Hamas ties. A dissenting ICJ voice, Vice President Julia Sebutinde, argued the opinion overlooked Israel's security concerns and that it is not bound to channel aid through UNRWA specifically.
This ruling follows prior ICJ decisions, including a July 2024 declaration that Israel's presence in Judea and Samaria is unlawful, and ongoing International Criminal Court investigations into Israeli leaders—actions opposed by the U.S. under Trump-era policies that sanctioned ICC judges for targeting Americans and Israelis.