Public hearings on Israel's obligations in occupied Palestinian territory begin at ICJ

Representatives from 40 countries, 4 international organizations expected to present oral submissions during proceedings

Public hearings started on Monday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to examine Israel’s obligations in connection with its activities in the occupied Palestinian territory. The hearings will address a request for an advisory opinion on "the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations, and third states in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the court said earlier. Representatives from 40 countries and four international organizations are expected to present oral submissions during the proceedings. Among the participating countries are Türkiye, Malaysia, South Africa, China, Russia, Spain, Ireland, Brazil, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Key organizations, including the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League, will also contribute. The proceedings are being held at the Peace Palace, the seat of the ICJ, and are open to the public. Israel, which is among the countries that submitted written statements, will not make an oral submission during the hearings. Israel also faces a genocide case at the ICJ for its war on the Gaza Strip, which since October 2023 has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians and reduced much of Gaza to rubble. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.