ICJ to hold public hearings on Israel's obligations in occupied Palestinian Territory

A view of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) logo amid a hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as part of hearing in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the situation in Gaza begins, on May 24, 2024 [Nikos Oikonomou/Anadolu Agency]

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday said that it has received 45 written statements from states and international organisations as part of its advisory proceedings on Israel’s obligations regarding the UN, other international organisations, and third parties in the occupied Palestinian Territory, a matter set to be addressed in upcoming public hearings.

“The Court will hold public hearings, which will open on Monday 28 April 2025 at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court,” the ICJ said in a statement.

The proceedings, initiated following a request for an advisory opinion, have drawn responses from a diverse group of countries and entities. The submissions, according to the statement, were filed within the time frame set by the ICJ president’s order on 23 December. Notably, the African Union was granted an exceptional extension to submit its statement beyond the original deadline.

The list of contributors included countries from multiple continents, such as Chile, Malaysia, Russia, Turkiye, Pakistan, Qatar, Spain, South Africa, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, China, the Netherlands, Brazil, Egypt, Israel, France, the US, and Palestine.

Key international organisations such as the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Arab League also presented their perspectives, the statement said.

In accordance with Article 106 of the ICJ’s rules, the written statements may be made publicly available once oral proceedings commence.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the ICJ for its war on Gaza Strip, which since October 2023 has killed some 50,000 Palestinians and reduced much of Gaza to rubble.