Representatives of 40 states and four international organisations have said they intend to join a public hearing on Israel’s obligations in the occupied Palestinian territory expected to be held at the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ), the court said on Wednesday.
The ICJ said in a statement that it will hold a public hearing “to request an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations in connection with the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organisations and third States in and related to the Occupied Palestinian Territory” from April 28 to May 2.
“Forty States and four international organisations expressed their intention to participate in the oral proceedings before the Court,” the statement said.
Responses were received from various countries and organisations during the proceedings. The submissions were filed within the time limits set by the December 23 order of the President of the ICJ, the statement said. The African Union was exceptionally granted an extension to file the application beyond the original deadline.
The list of countries from several continents such as Chile, Malaysia, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Spain, South Africa, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, China, the Netherlands, Brazil, Egypt, Israel, France, the US and Palestine were among those who filed the application.
Key international organisations such as the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and the Arab League have also submitted their views, the statement said.
Israel faces a genocide case at the ICJ for its war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians since October 2023 and reduced much of Gaza to rubble.
Last November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
