International Court of Justice

May 12, 2026 1:15 PM

New Israeli law sets military tribunal for Hamas October 7 militants

Israel's parliament passed a law late on Monday establishing a military tribunal to try hundreds of Palestinian militants who took part in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, a step lawmakers said would help heal national trauma. The surprise attack, led by elite "Nukhba" force fighters from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was Israel's deadliest single day and the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. At least 1,200 people were killed, most of them civilians. Israel responded by la...

October 23, 2025 9:49 AM

World Court says Israel must allow UN aid to Gaza and ensure basic needs of Palestinians are met

The United Nations' top legal body, the International Court of Justice, on Wednesday gave an advisory opinion saying that Israel is under the obligation to ensure the basic needs of the civilian population in Gaza are met. The panel of 11 judges added Israel has to support relief efforts provided by the United Nations in the Gaza Strip, and U.N. entities, including UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. "As an occupying power, Israel is obli...

July 23, 2025 3:27 PM

World Court is poised to mark the future course of climate litigation

The United Nations' highest court will deliver an opinion on Wednesday that is likely to determine the course of future climate action across the world. Known as an advisory opinion, the deliberation of the 15 judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is legally non-binding. It nevertheless carries legal and political weight and future climate cases would be unable to ignore it, legal experts say. “The advisory opinion is probably the most consequential in the history o...

December 13, 2024 5:56 PM

Rich countries, island states lock horns on climate change at UN court

The World Court concludes hearings on Friday on countries' legal obligation to fight climate change and whether large states contributing most to greenhouse-gas emissions may be liable for damage caused to small island nations. The International Court of Justice will issue an opinion on those questions, likely in 2025, that could be cited in climate change-driven litigation around the world. During two weeks of hearings, rich countries of the global north broadly argued that existing climate t...

June 6, 2024 3:05 PM

Spain to intervene in South Africa’s Gaza genocide case at World Court

Spain will request to intervene in South Africa's genocide case against Israel's actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice, its foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said on Thursday. Spain follows Ireland, which also announced it would intervene in the case. "We are doing it because of our commitment to international law, in our desire to support the court in its work and strengthen the United Nations, supporting the role of the court as the maximum legal entity in the system," Alb...

May 2, 2024 10:37 AM

Colombia to break diplomatic relations with Israel, President Petro says

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said on Wednesday he will break diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza. Petro has already heavily criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and requested to join South Africa's case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice. "Here in front of you, the government of change, of the president of the republic announces that tomorrow we will break diplomatic relations with the state of Israel ... for hav...