SAFA- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has scheduled hearings for September to consider Germany's preliminary objections in a case brought by Nicaragua, which accuses Berlin of facilitating Israel's genocide in the Gaza Strip through political, financial, and military support.

In a statement issued Friday, the court said the hearings will take place from Sept. 7 to Sept. 10. Germany will present its first round of oral arguments on Sept. 7, followed by a second session on Sept. 9. Nicaragua will present its submissions on Sept. 8 and Sept. 10.

Nicaragua filed the case on March 1, 2024, stating that Germany violated its obligations under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide; the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols; as well as fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

According to the application, Nicaragua states that Germany has facilitated Israel's genocide in Gaza by continuing to provide political, financial, and military support to Israel. It also states that Berlin suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and failed to take all possible measures to prevent genocide, as required under the Genocide Convention.

During hearings held in April 2024, Nicaragua stated that Germany, Israel's second-largest arms supplier, could not have been unaware of how the weapons it supplied were being used in Gaza. It said Berlin reduced assistance to Palestinians while continuing to authorize exports of tank ammunition, drone munitions, and naval equipment to Israel.

Germany rejected the accusations during those proceedings. Its legal representative, Tania von Uslar-Gleichen, told the court that Berlin had not violated either the Genocide Convention or international humanitarian law.

At the time, the ICJ declined to order provisional measures, finding that the circumstances did not warrant such action. 

However, it expressed concern over the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other essential needs facing civilians in Gaza.

The September hearings will focus on Germany's preliminary objections concerning the court's jurisdiction and the admissibility of Nicaragua's application. If those objections are rejected, the case will proceed to the merits.

The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, is also hearing a separate case filed by South Africa stating that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. In that case, the court has issued several legally binding provisional measures ordering Israel to take steps to prevent acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.