The Hague, March 16 (RHC)-- Top United Nations judges will start hearing the case filed by Nicaragua accusing Germany of supporting “genocide” against the people of Palestine in Gaza over its support for Israel.

Two weeks ago Nicaragua filed a case against Germany before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), saying Berlin was “facilitating the commission of genocide and... failed in its obligation to do everything possible to prevent the commission of genocide,” in Gaza.  Berlin has also suspended funding of the UN Palestinian refugee agency. This is also included in the case.

The Hague-based ICJ said in a statement on Friday it will hold hearings on April 8 and 9 for both countries to make submissions.  “The hearings will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures contained in Nicaragua’s Application,” the ICJ said in a statement.

The Nicaraguan government has requested the ICJ to take a swift interim stance against Germany before the case was given in-depth study by judges.  The case came following the ICJ ruling on January 26th that Israel must do everything to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and take “immediate” measures for aid provisions.

Since the start of Israel's genocidal war following Operation al-Aqsa Storm by Gaza-based resistance movements on October 7, 2023, more than 31,500 Palestinians, including many women and children, have lost their lives.

The Israeli military offensive has left a trail of destruction in Gaza, leaving hospitals in ruins and displacing around half of its 2.4 million residents.