During a hearing in Israel's High Court of Justice this week, a judge questioned whether the country is legally required to cooperate with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The question arose in a case brought by Suhad Bishara, a lawyer representing Palestinians who received UNRWA aid and say they have been harmed by recent Israeli legislation barring the agency's operations.

The United Nations and others have maintained that UNRWA is the only entity capable of meeting Palestinian needs, and have stated that Israel violated international law by restricting its operations and criminalizing communication between Israeli and UNRWA officials. The global body also opposed efforts by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation to deliver supplies directly to Palestinians.

When asked whether Israel could legally use another entity to provide essential services in Gaza, Bishara acknowledged that while Israeli legislation did not immediately provide sufficient alternatives to UNRWA, a different U.N. Agency could potentially provide adequate services.

Israel has presented evidence that UNRWA staff members participated in the October 7 attacks and that the agency employed individuals with ties to Palestinian militant groups.

A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres stated that "the work of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency is vital to our humanitarian efforts," But did not dispute the lawyer's assessment that an alternative could legally replace UNRWA. The spokesman referred to an October 2025 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice stating that Israel must help relief schemes, including those provided by U.N. Entities, "so long as that population is inadequately supplied."

The Israeli High Court expressed skepticism that petitioners could show they had been harmed by the laws and gave them ten days to respond before urging withdrawal of the case.

Eugene Kontorovich, a law professor at George Mason University, stated that there is no international law preventing Israel from ceasing cooperation with UNRWA, and that Israel is only obligated to ensure certain humanitarian needs are met. He noted that responsibility now falls to the Board of Peace, which the U.S. President created and which a U.N. Security Council resolution supports.