A senior Israeli official expressed doubt on October 23rd whether Israel will permit the activities of the UN agency UNRWA in the Gaza Strip, following a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. The ICJ ruled that Israel must allow UNRWA's activities and stated that it has not been proven that a significant portion of its employees were Hamas members. The statement from the senior Israeli official, made this morning, indicates a potential divergence between the international court's directive and Israel's current stance on the agency's operations. The ICJ's decision, issued recently, aimed to ensure the continued functioning of UNRWA, which provides essential services to Palestinian refugees. According to the senior Israeli official's assessment, the agency's broadcast activities are also in question. The ICJ's ruling was based on its provisional measures concerning the prevention of genocide, and it specifically addressed the need for humanitarian aid and services to be provided to Palestinians in Gaza. UNRWA has been a critical provider of aid, including food, shelter, and healthcare, to millions of Palestinians across the Middle East, with a significant presence in Gaza. The agency has faced intense scrutiny and accusations from Israel regarding alleged ties to Hamas, particularly following the October 7th attacks.
