The United States expressed concerns over the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling that deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, cautioning that the comprehensive decision could hinder peace efforts in the region. According to the US State Department, the court’s opinion complicates the established conflict resolution framework that considers Israel’s security needs highlighted by recent attacks from Hamas.

The ICJ ruling, issued on Friday, states that Israel must end its occupation and settlement activities promptly—a directive that carries significant influence under international law, though not binding. This stance, the US suggests, could undermine support for Israel and disrupt the peace process, which it says should proceed through direct negotiations.

While acknowledging that Israeli settlements violate international law, the US emphasized the importance of bilateral talks over unilateral actions. The State Department discouraged both parties from using this ruling as a pretext for actions that could deepen divisions or detract from a negotiated two-state solution.

This judicial opinion comes amidst a volatile backdrop following Israel’s war in Gaza, which escalated after the Hamas attacks, leading to widespread humanitarian crises. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have reacted strongly to the ICJ’s findings, with Israel rejecting the ruling and the Palestinian leadership praising it as historic.