Nicaragua, Germany 'genocide' Gaza case before ICJ next month

The Hague: Top UN judges will start listening to submissions next month in the case filed by Nicaragua accusing Berlin of facilitating genocide in G...

The Hague: Top UN judges will start listening to submissions next month in the case filed by Nicaragua accusing Berlin of facilitating "genocide" in Gaza because of its support for Israel, officials said Friday.

Two weeks ago Nicaragua filed a case against Germany before the International Court of Justice, 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.

This included Berlin's suspension of funding of the UN Palestinian refugee agency. The Hague-based ICJ said 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. Managua has asked the court to take a swift interim stance against Germany before the case was given in-depth study by judges.

The lodging of the case follows the ICJ saying on January 26 that Israel must do everything to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza and take "immediate" measures for aid provisions.