Gaza Ceasefire, ICJ Advisory Opinion, UN Special Rapporteur Report “Gaza Genocide: a collective crime”, and Humanitarian Assistance – Action by UN System Relevant to the Question of Palestine (October 2025 Monthly Bulletin)

Contents

1. Gaza war hits two-year mark as ceasefire is finally reached
2. International Court of Justice delivers an Advisory Opinion on Israel’s humanitarian obligations
3. UN Special Rapporteur issues a new report entitled “Gaza Genocide: a collective crime”
4. Scaling-up humanitarian assistance in Gaza

I. Gaza war hits two-year mark as ceasefire is finally reached

October marks two years since the war in Gaza began. Looking back at the 7 October attack launched by Hamas and other armed groups on Israel, the UN Secretary-General remembered “all those who were killed and suffered horrific violence”. The UN Relief Chief renewed the call for the unconditional, immediate release of all the hostages, and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, for all civilians to be protected, and for humanitarian aid to flow freely at the scale needed. The UNRWA Commissioner-General  pointed to the life in Gaza over the past two years that has been marked by “destruction, displacement, bombardment, fear, death, and hunger”. The Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process expressed “solidarity with those who continue to grieve” and highlighted the infliction of “immense suffering on both Palestinians and Israelis”. The Chair of the UN Palestinian Rights Committee condemned the deadly attacks and the devastating consequences of the disproportionate response. He reaffirmed that “Israel’s occupation has no legal basis and must be brought to an end immediately, with full accountability and reparations to the Palestinian people”.

Following the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by US President Donald J. Trump, the UN Secretary-General welcomed the move as a “desperately needed breakthrough.” The UNICEF Executive Director welcomed the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, calling it a “hope for Palestinian children who have suffered through two years of horrific war”. UN human rights experts welcomed parts of the peace plan and stressed that any peace plan must respect international law and Palestinian self-determination. They also warned that “key elements of the plan are nevertheless deeply inconsistent with fundamental rules of international law and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice that demand that Israel ends its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.

More details:

1. General Assembly debate on Security Council veto of resolution on Gaza ceasefire (1 October)
2. UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: On average 100 people are reported killed every day in Gaza (1 October)
3. OCHA: Deadly hostilities continue in Gaza, driving more displacement (1 October)
4. Gaza’s many injured will need rehabilitation care and support for years to come, WHO report (2 October)
5. OCHA: UN Relief Chief warns that as fighting continues in Gaza city, access to the north is difficult (2 October)
6. Iraq submits Ministerial Declaration adopted at 49th Annual Meeting of Group of 77 and China (A/80/422) (2 October)
7. “I had no choice but to deliver my own baby”: Health workers in Gaza city describe impossible conditions – UNFPA (2 October)
8. Shoeless, starving, and nowhere to go: The brutal logic imposed on Gaza’s children – UNICEF (3 October)
9. Press briefing: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital – UNICEF, WHO, and ICRC (3 October)
10. Secretary-General welcomes Hamas’ announced readiness to release hostages, engage on United States’ proposal (3 October)
11. UN Relief Chief calls Trump’s plan a “window of opportunity” for aid and hostage release (3 October)
12. Any peace plan must respect international law, beginning with self-determination and accountability, urge UN experts (3 October)
13. Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt (5 October)
14. Damage to greenhouses due to the conflict in the Gaza Strip (5 October)
15. ‘Release the hostages, end the suffering’, says Secretary-General, marking 7 October anniversary (6 October)
16. UN Relief Chief fast-tracks funding to ensure life-saving fuel supply for Gaza (6 October)
17. UN Palestinian Rights Committee Chair’s Statement on 7 October and the Situation in Gaza (7 October)
18. Statement by Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process marking two years since 7 October 2023 (7 October)
19. Two years on from 7 October, UN Relief Chief urges action to protect civilians, sustain ‘glimmer of hope’ (7 October)
20. Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians (7 October)
21. UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: Grief and suffering since 7 October 2023 (7 October)
22. Gaza: insecurity prevents many from leaving the north (8 October)
23. Secretary-General welcomes agreement to secure ceasefire, hostage release in Gaza (8 October)
24. UNICEF: Two years of hellish war have devastated Gaza’s children (8 October)
25. UNRWA’s Lancet Study reveals alarming surge in child malnutrition, underscores IPC famine confirmation in Gaza (8 October)
26. WHO addresses two years of conflict in Gaza at 72nd Regional Committee (8 October)
27. Israel must ensure safety and liberty of Flotilla activists after another interception in international waters: UN expert (8 October)
28. Statement: UN Secretary-General on Gaza ceasefire deal (9 October)
29. UN Human Rights Chief says ceasefire plan must lead to permanent end of hostilities, full humanitarian access (9 October)
30. UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: The agreement to finally secure a ceasefire in Gaza and release the hostages is a huge relief (9 October)
31. Video: UN officials welcome announced agreement to secure ceasefire and hostage release (9 October)
32. SG Spokesperson’s Daily Press Briefing: Excerpts on the Question of Palestine (10 October)
33. Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip (10 October)
34. Joint statement: The Trump Declaration for enduring peace and prosperity (13 October)
35. Secretary-General welcomes release of Israeli hostages, urges parties to honour ceasefire commitments, end ‘nightmare’ in Gaza (13 October)
36. UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: Time to build a future of peace through healing, justice and mutual recognition (13 October)
37. Humanitarians cautiously welcome ceasefire announcement, demand end to two years of forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza (13 October)
38. Gaza: Peace demands justice, accountability and dignity says UN expert (15 October)
39. UN experts urge Germany to halt criminalisation and police violence against Palestinian solidarity activism (16 October)
40. Amid displacement and despair in Gaza, glimmers of hope for a better tomorrow (17 October)
41. UNRWA: Children in Gaza denied education amid deprivation (19 October)
42. UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: The fragile ceasefire in Gaza must be upheld (20 October)
43. Security Council speakers call for swift action to secure fragile peace in Gaza (23 October)
44. Letter from Denmark, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom: Summary of meeting on Women and Peace and Security in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (S/2025/672) (24 October)

II. International Court of Justice delivers an Advisory Opinion on Israel’s humanitarian obligations

The International Court of Justice delivered an Advisory Opinion on 22 October 2025, reaffirming Israel’s binding obligations, as the Occupying Power, under international law. The Court found that the Palestinian population in Gaza is “inadequately supplied” and that Israel is in violation of its obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate humanitarian relief and ensure that the essential needs of the population are met. The Court stressed that security claims cannot justify obstructing humanitarian relief or suspending humanitarian activities in the occupied territory. The Court further recognized UNRWA’s indispensable and impartial humanitarian role in Gaza, noting that the Agency remains the backbone of humanitarian response since October 2023. Israel must therefore allow and facilitate humanitarian aid by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA.

The UN Secretary-General welcomed the Advisory Opinion and “strongly urged Israel to comply with its obligations”. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said the ruling confirms that “Israel is bound to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights of Palestinians”. The UNRWA Commissioner-General stressed that “Israel’s claim that UNRWA is infiltrated by Hamas was not substantiated, nor were allegations that UNRWA is not a neutral organisation”. The UN Palestinian Rights Committee Bureau called on the General Assembly, which requested the Advisory Opinion, to “urgently consider the specific measures needed to end this unlawful occupation as rapidly as possible”.

To learn more about all ICJ cases related to the question of Palestine, click here to visit the dedicated webpage.

More details:

1. ICJ Advisory Opinion [EN/FR] (22 October)
2. Summary of the ICJ Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025 (22 October)
3. ICJ Press Release: The Court gives its Advisory Opinion and responds to the question posed by the General Assembly (22 October)
4. Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary General – on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (22 October)
5. UNRWA Commissioner-General welcomes ICJ ruling (22 October)
6. UNRWA Press statement on ICJ Advisory Opinion regarding Israel’s obligations (22 October)
7. UN Human Rights Chief says ICJ ruling is crystal clear on Israel’s obligations in Gaza (23 October)
8. UNRWA Commissioner-General notes ICJ recognition of agency’s unique role (23 October)
9. OIC: Condemnation of Knesset’s annexation law and support for ICJ Advisory Opinion (23 October)
10. UN Palestinian Rights Committee Bureau Welcomes the Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice (24 October)
11. The ICJ Advisory Opinion on Israel’s obligations – key conclusions relating to UNRWA (26 October)
12. ICJ President highlights Court’s legal duties on climate change and occupation in address to General Assembly (30 October)

III. UN Special Rapporteur issues a new report entitled “Gaza Genocide: a collective crime”

On 20 October, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, published a new report titled “Gaza Genocide: A Collective Crime”. The report highlights “how Third States are breaching their duty to prevent genocide, apartheid, and territorial conquest by supplying Israel with aid, arms, and political cover despite clear evidence of genocidal intent.” In a statement to the General Assembly Third Committee on 28 October, Navi Pillay, the Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, stated “It pains me that, on my last presentation as Chair of this Commission, the post-World War II multi-lateral system has failed to prevent this genocide. The international system has been found wanting.”

More details:

1. UN Human Rights Office: 1001 Palestinians killed in West Bank since 7 October 2023 (17 October 2025)
2. Report: “Gaza Genocide: a collective crime” – Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese (A/80/492) (20 October)
3. “The unlawful occupation of the whole Palestinian Territory must end. Now.” Palestinian Rights Committee Chair tells the Security Council (23 October)
4. UNRWA Commissioner-General: For eighty years the UN has spared no efforts to forge peace (24 October)
5. Gaza genocide: A crime Israel did not commit alone – Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese (28 October)
6. Commission of Inquiry on alleged genocidal conduct in Gaza (28 October)
7. Press Conference: Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel (28 October)
8. UN human rights chief says appalled by deadly Gaza strikes (29 October)
9. ‘Atrocities by one side do not justify those by the other,’ Commission of Inquiry Chair tells Third Committee, implicating Israeli forces, Palestinian armed groups in war crimes (30 October)
10. “No Peace Without Accountability” – From Ceasefire to Justice: UN Palestinian Rights Committee Briefing with UN Human Rights experts (30 October)

IV. Scaling-up humanitarian assistance in Gaza

Following the ceasefire, UN and partner humanitarian agencies have rapidly scaled-up operations in Gaza. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs outlined a 60-day plan to restore food, health, water, shelter, and education services. The agency also called for full access, protection of civilians, and urgent funding. The World Food Programme has expanded life-saving food assistance. It aims to reach 1.6 million people through bakeries, food distributions, and digital payments. It highlighted the need for secure and unhindered access to help the most vulnerable.

UNICEF is expanding nutrition treatment, delivering safe water, and providing blankets, clothes, and shelter to children and families. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is dispatching emergency relief, including shelter and winter items, to support displaced families and help them rebuild. UNRWA is stepping up its “back to learning” programme, both in person and online, to help children return to education. UN Women is coordinating with UN and partner agencies to make sure clinics and food reach women and girls safely and meet their real needs.

More details:

1. UN Relief Chief outlines 60-day plan to deliver vital aid after Gaza ceasefire (9 October)
2. UN and partners ready to scale up humanitarian response in Gaza (10 October)
3. Gaza: aid teams repeat calls for unhindered access to stricken enclave (10 October)
4. WFP scales up life saving food assistance as ceasefire unfolds (11 October)
5. OCHA: humanitarian scale-up in Gaza is well underway (12 October)
6. UN and partners work to scale up humanitarian response in Gaza (14 October)
7. Gaza: $70 billion needed to rebuild shattered enclave, says UN (14 October)
8. UN Relief Chief calls for renewed commitment to peace and aid delivery in Gaza (15 October)
9. UN OCHA Chief Fletcher stresses urgency of Gaza aid access and adherence to peace accord (15 October)
10. FAO: Agricultural land and related facilities availability in the Gaza Strip (15 October)
11. UN Relief Chief visits Rafah crossing (16 October)
12. UN Relief Chief visits Gaza as humanitarian community scales up (17 October)
13. Day after’ in Gaza: UN Human Rights Chief urges all actors to ensure human rights are central (17 October)
14. Press briefing by UN Women on the situation of women and girls in Gaza (17 October)
15. As ceasefire takes hold, Gaza’s bakeries fire up to fight hunger (20 October)
16. Q3 Progress Report: Implementing the Colonna Report at UNRWA (July 2025 – September 2025) (20 October)
17. One Year On: Implementing the Colonna Report at UNRWA – Annual Report (June 2024 – June 2025) (20 October)
18. In Gaza, UN Relief Chief witnesses humanitarian scale-up (20 October)
19. Minderoo Foundation backs UN’s 60-day Gaza plan with AU$10 million (20 October)
20. OCHA: UN and partners continue to scale up aid in Gaza (21 October)
21. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 1 (21 October)
22. Press Conference: Andrew Saberton (UNFPA) on his recent visit to Gaza and the West Bank (22 October)
23. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 2 (22 October)
24. UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process briefs the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East (23 October)
25. Mounting alarm as Israeli authorities reject NGO applications to transport life-saving aid into Gaza (23 October)
26. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 3 (23 October)
27. IOM dispatches shelter aid to Gaza amid massive post-ceasefire needs (24 October)
28. Women in Gaza: What they need now as the ceasefire holds – UN Women (24 October)
29. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 4 (24 October)
30. UNICEF: Gaza’s ceasefire offers a vital chance for children – it must be seized (26 October)
31. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 5 (26 October)
32. OCHA: Water, food and essential services still desperately needed as families move north (27 October)
33. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 6 (27 October)
34. UNRWA Commissioner-General on Gaza: With the ceasefire in place, UNRWA is stepping up its “back to learning” programme in Gaza (28 October)
35. Video: We have the right to learn: Ana’am’s story in Gaza (28 October)
36. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 7 (28 October)
37. UNICEF Humanitarian Situation Report No. 43 (01 – 30 September 2025) (29 October)
38. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 8 (29 October)
39. Gaza: humanitarian scale-up continues, despite restrictions (30 October)
40. Video: Gaza students back to school (30 October)
41. UK announces vital demining funding to clear routes and improve access for aid into Gaza (30 October)
42. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 9 (30 October)
43. Gaza Strip: Ceasefire opens window for rehabilitation as over a third of cropland becomes accessible (31 October)
44. Gaza’s health system continues to face significant challenges amid immense needs (31 October)
45. UNOSAT Gaza Strip Comprehensive Damage Assessment (31 October)
46. OCHA: Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 10 (31 October)