World Court: Israel has not proven claims many UNRWA staff are Hamas
As part of its findings, the International Court of Justice says Israel has failed to show evidence that UNRWA also worked for Hamas as it claimed.
“The court finds that Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA’s employees are ‘members of Hamas … or other terrorist factions’,” said ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa.
Israel banned UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil after accusing some of its staff of taking part in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.
A series of investigations, including one led by France’s former Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, found some “neutrality-related issues” at UNRWA.
However, the April 2024 report said Israel had “yet to provide supporting evidence” of its allegation that “a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organisations”.
Israel rejects ‘entirely predictable’ ICJ ruling on Gaza
Foreign ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein says Israel “categorically rejects” the World Court’s advisory opinion that found no evidence was presented showing UNRWA staff worked for Hamas.
Marmorstein said the ICJ’s ruling was “entirely predictable” and was another “political attempt to impose political measures against Israel under the guise of ‘International Law'”.
“To this day, UNRWA still employs more than 1,400 Hamas operatives,” he alleged.
“Israel will not cooperate with an organisation that is infested with terror activities. Israel fully upholds its obligations under International Law. Israel fully rejects the politicisation of International Law, which seeks to produce political outcomes and impose measures intended to harm the State of Israel.”
Global attention turned to The Hague as the International Court of Justice delivered its Advisory Opinion on Israel’s obligations in the occupied Palestinian territories. The ruling sparked mixed reactions from diplomats, activists, and citizens outside the ICJ, reflecting deep divisions over accountability and humanitarian access.
Last edited by SvennoJ - on 22 October 2025
