The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague began a week of hearings on Monday to deliberate on the implications of Israel’s presence in Palestinian territories, with representations from over 50 countries.
Riyad al-Maliki, the Palestinian Foreign Minister, led the opening remarks.
In response to a 2022 UN General Assembly request, the ICJ will provide a consultative, albeit non-binding, opinion on the occupation issue.
Despite Israel’s historical disregard for such opinions, this engagement could heighten political scrutiny amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which, as reported by Gaza’s health officials, has resulted in approximately 29,000 Palestinian casualties since October 7.
Participants in the hearings include the United States—Israel’s principal ally, along with China, Russia, South Africa, and Egypt. Israel, while absent from the hearings, has submitted written contributions.
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These hearings are part of a broader Palestinian effort to solicit scrutiny from international legal bodies on Israel’s actions, especially following the October 7 Hamas-initiated attacks in Israel, which resulted in 1,200 fatalities, and the subsequent Israeli military retaliation.
The proceedings also occur against the backdrop of growing apprehension regarding a potential Israeli ground assault on Rafah in Gaza, where over a million Palestinians have sought refuge amid Israeli offensives.
Israel took control of the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem—territories Palestinians claim for a future state—during the 1967 war. Although Israel exited Gaza in 2005, it continues to regulate its borders in conjunction with Egypt.
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This marks the second instance of the UN General Assembly requesting an ICJ advisory opinion regarding the Palestinian territories. In July 2004, the ICJ deemed Israel’s separation barrier in the West Bank a violation of international law, recommending its removal, yet it remains intact.
