The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Friday, July 19, 2024, that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and the settlements built upon them are illegal, demanding their immediate cessation.

While the advisory opinion issued by the ICJ judges, the highest court of the United Nations, is not binding, it carries significant weight under international law and could potentially weaken the support Israel receives.

During the reading of the findings by a panel of 15 judges, ICJ President, Nawal El-Saadawi, stated that "the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the system related to them, have been established and are maintained in violation of international law."

The court declared that Israel's obligations include paying compensation for damages and "evacuating all settlers from existing settlements."

On December 30, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution requesting the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967. The resolution sought clarification on how Israeli practices impact the legal status of the occupation, and the legal consequences of this status for all states and the United Nations.

The ICJ's declaration coincides with the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, and has resulted in over 128,000 Palestinian casualties, the majority being children and women, and over 10,000 missing, according to Palestinian authorities.

Simultaneously with the war on Gaza, Israeli occupation forces and settlers have escalated their attacks in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, leading to the deaths of 576 Palestinians and injuries to approximately 5,350, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.