THE United States defended Israel at the International Court of Justice today, saying it has no obligation to work with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, even as Gaza’s population faces starvation due to a months-long blockade.

The top UN court is holding a week of hearings on Israel’s responsibilities in ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. The hearings follow a request from the UN general assembly last year for an advisory opinion on Israel’s conduct in the occupied territories.

Washington argued that Israel had “legitimate concerns” about the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the largest provider of aid in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.