In a powerful display of international consensus, the United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution supporting the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion regarding humanitarian aid access to Gaza. The Friday vote saw 139 nations in favor, with only 12 opposed—including Israel, the United States, Hungary, and Argentina—while 19 countries abstained.
The resolution specifically calls for Israel to permit United Nations agencies, including the controversial UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), to deliver critical humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s Palestinian population. This development comes six months after the ICJ heard extensive evidence from more than 40 states and international organizations, ultimately ruling that Israel’s restrictions on aid violate international law.
UNRWA, established in 1949 to address the Palestinian refugee crisis following the Nakba, provides essential services including healthcare, education, and food assistance to Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The vote represents a significant diplomatic rebuke to Israel and its few allies who argued for limiting aid obligations based on military necessity and security concerns—arguments the world court ultimately rejected. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the outcome, stating on social media that the vote ‘has given a strong endorsement to the ruling by the International Court of Justice that claims about UNRWA being infiltrated by Hamas are not substantiated.’
In contrast, Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon denounced the resolution as ‘calling on Israel to cooperate with terrorism,’ asserting that ‘UNRWA = hotbed of terrorism’ and must be eliminated ‘for the sake of peace in the world.’
The vote occurs amid ongoing tensions regarding UNRWA’s operations, which began in January 2024 when Israel accused the agency of harboring Hamas members. While UNRWA terminated nine staff members over potential involvement in the October 2023 attacks, evidence supporting these allegations has not been publicly disclosed.
The United States, historically UNRWA’s largest donor, has halted funding and is reportedly considering unprecedented sanctions against the agency. Such measures would effectively cripple UNRWA’s banking capabilities and dollar transactions. State Department officials have characterized UNRWA as ‘a corrupt organization with a proven track record of aiding and abetting terrorists,’ though no final decisions have been made.
Meanwhile, eight Muslim and Arab nations—including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar—issued a joint statement affirming UNRWA’s ‘indispensable role’ in protecting Palestinian refugees, highlighting the deep international divisions on this humanitarian issue.