UN's top court hears key case on Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories - BBC News

The ICJ will issue an opinion on the legality of the occupation, though Israel has snubbed the hearings.

2 days agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, A man waves a Palestinian flag outside the International Court of JusticeBy Anna HolliganBBC NewsThe UN's top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is hearing the final arguments in a case challenging Israel's 56-year occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

The question at the heart of this week's hearings is: What are the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories?

It may not have the drama of recent World Court cases, but leading international lawyer Philippe Sands told the BBC: "In terms of the legal outcomes, and solution that must ultimately be found, this is as significant as it gets."

This case was initiated by a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution in December 2022, before the 7 October attacks by Hamas last year, and Israel's military response in the Gaza Strip.

On the opening day of hearings last week, Riad al-Maliki, the Palestinian Authority (PA)'s foreign minister, accused Israel of "colonialism and apartheid" and of violating the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68401909

---