2025-10-23
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Israel to allow unimpeded aid into Gaza and has confirmed that the restrictions placed on aid over the past two years have breached Israel’s obligations under international law. The Court found that Israel had a duty not to impede the work of UN organisations, including UNRWA, that were providing aid to Gaza, and that the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) was not a suitable substitute.
Since the so-called ceasefire early in October, Israel has continued to bomb Palestinians and has stopped most of the aid outside Gaza from getting in, and major crossings remain blocked. The ‘ceasefire’ stipulates that 600 aid trucks must enter each day, yet the daily average of trucks entering has been below 100.
Australian F-35 parts and steel have been sent to Israel to fuel its war machine during the genocide. The Foreign Minister should substantially increase the aid being provided to Gaza and should take all possible actions, including sanctions, to force Israel to comply with this ICJ decision.
Lines attributable to Greens Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for International Aid & Global Justice, Senator Mehreen Faruqi:
“The latest damning ICJ finding confirms Israel’s deliberate and sustained undermining of UNRWA and finally banning it, as it used starvation as a weapon of war. It was unconscionable of the Albanese Labor government to play a part in this by suspending funding to UNRWA for months, based on unsubstantiated allegations and flimsy Israeli propaganda.
“Since the beginning of the so-called ceasefire, Israel has allowed only a fraction of the aid required into Gaza. The peace plan backed by Australia is showing to be the farce that we all knew it would be.
“Now is the time for Australia to back this ICJ advisory opinion and use all tools available to force Israel to let aid into Gaza and ensure UNRWA is able to operate unimpeded. UNRWA is the only organisation with the capacity to adequately address the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic.
“These latest findings confirm what we already know, that Israel has broken international rule after international rule with impunity and cover provided by western countries like Australia and the USA.
“Not only must we sanction Israel and stop the arms trade to force the flow of aid into Gaza, but Israel must be held to account for their genocide, war crimes, and atrocities.
“Australia has a moral obligation to contribute generously to rebuilding Gaza as part of a self-determined Palestinian state. Aid cannot just be the token amounts announced so far, and our contribution must atone for Australia's role in supplying F-35 parts and steel to the Israeli war machine that continues to kill Palestinians.”