UN's top court says Israel obliged to allow UN aid into Gaza

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has said Israel has a legal obligation to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip by the UN and its entities to ensure the basic needs of Palestinian civilians there are met, BBC reported.

An advisory opinion from the UN's top courtalso said Israel had not substantiated its allegations that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) lacked neutrality or that a significant number of its staff were members of Hamas or other armed groups.

The UN's chief said he hoped Israel would abide by the "very important decision".

But Israel rejected the ICJ's opinion as "political" and insisted it would not co-operate with Unrwa, which it has banned, according to BBC.