Palestine, 2023 to today

In the case South Africa brought under the Genocide Convention, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent acts covered by the Convention in Gaza, to prevent and punish incitement, and to enable humanitarian assistance.

An independent review led by Catherine Colonna found that UNRWA had significant mechanisms to ensure neutrality, probably more than other UN agencies, along with problems in applying them, and that Israel had not provided evidence for its claim that many UNRWA staff belong to terrorist organisations.

Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognised a Palestinian state on the same day. Israel condemned the move and summoned the three countries' ambassadors.

Answering questions from the UN General Assembly, the International Court of Justice gave its opinion that Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territory is unlawful and must end as rapidly as possible, and that new settlement activity must cease.

The UN's internal oversight office completed its investigation of 19 UNRWA staff accused of involvement in the 7 October attacks. It found evidence that nine may have been involved, and UNRWA said it would end their contracts.

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding that Israel end its unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory within 12 months, by 124 votes to 14, with 43 abstentions.

The Knesset passed two laws, one barring UNRWA from any activity inside Israel and one barring Israeli officials from contact with the agency, set to take effect after 90 days.

Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court rejected Israel's challenges and issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, defence minister during the conduct in question.

President Trump signed Executive Order 14203, declaring a national emergency over the ICC's actions against Israel and the United States, blocking the property of designated persons and suspending their entry into the US.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, chaired by Navi Pillay, concluded that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal recognised the State of Palestine on 21 September 2025. France followed at a UN summit the next day, with Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and Andorra.

Trump's administration published a 20-point plan for Gaza: the return of all hostages within 72 hours of Israel accepting it, a phased Israeli withdrawal, prisoner releases, amnesty for Hamas members who disarm, a temporary international stabilisation force and a Board of Peace chaired by Trump.

The International Court of Justice gave its opinion that Israel, as occupying power, must agree to and facilitate relief schemes for the population of the occupied Palestinian territory, cooperate in good faith with the UN including UNRWA, and respect the prohibition on starvation as a method of warfare.

The Knesset approved, by 25 votes to 24, a preliminary reading of a bill to apply Israeli law and sovereignty to the West Bank. Netanyahu's Likud boycotted the vote and criticised its timing during a visit by US Vice President JD Vance.

The UN Security Council adopted resolution 2803, endorsing the US plan, welcoming the Board of Peace and authorising a temporary International Stabilization Force in Gaza until the end of 2027. China and Russia abstained.

In February 2026 Israel's security cabinet approved measures extending the authority of Israeli ministries into the occupied West Bank, part of what Chatham House calls an accelerating de facto annexation.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decreed elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council on 28 November 2026, the first since 2006. A new election law requires candidates to endorse the PLO's programme, which includes recognising Israel.

The International Criminal Court's member states voted to remove its prosecutor, Karim Khan, over allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. The removal was not about the Palestine case, and existing arrest warrants stayed in force.

Amnesty International's report "Made in India" identified at least 2,596 shipments of arms, parts and ammunition exported from India to Israel between 7 October 2023 and 30 November 2025, and called on India to stop authorising such exports.

Trump announced that the Board of Peace had reached an agreement for the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, in phases, with Israeli forces to withdraw as disarmament is verified. Hamas said it would not act unless Israel met its withdrawal obligations; Israel had not publicly agreed.

In Israel's first general election since 7 October 2023, Netanyahu's bloc won 53 seats, the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot 48 and Arab-led parties 19, leaving no bloc with the 61 seats needed for a majority.