Report: Israel told US it will not allow UNRWA to operate in Gaza despite ICJ ruling

An Israeli official is quoted as saying that UNRWA will “not step foot in Gaza” again despite an International Court of Justice ruling yesterday calling on Israel to work with the UN agency.

The Kan public broadcaster cites the official saying that every UN agency which operated in the Strip either failed in its mission or allowed itself to be controlled by Hamas. This message was also passed on to the US, the official is quoted as saying, “in the hope that the Americans will agree with Israel on this issue.”

The ICJ ruled yesterday that Israel is legally obligated to allow the UN’s controversial Palestinian relief agency to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, saying that Israel did not provide enough evidence that UNRWA had been infiltrated by Hamas and was no longer neutral.

The court’s advisory opinion is not legally binding.