ICJ Closes Hearings in Nicaragua v. Germany Over Gaza-Related Obligations

Four days at the Peace Palace

The International Court of Justice concluded public hearings from 7 to 10 September 2026 on Germany's preliminary objections in Alleged Breaches of Certain International Obligations in respect of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Nicaragua v. Germany).

Nicaragua sued in March 2024, arguing Germany violated the Genocide Convention, the Geneva Conventions and peremptory humanitarian-law norms in connection with the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly Gaza. Germany asked the Court to throw the case out before the merits.

What the objections are about

Preliminary objections are a jurisdiction and admissibility fight: whether The Hague has a case to hear, not yet whether Germany broke the law. President Iwasawa presided.

Where this sits on a crowded docket

The ICJ is already managing other Genocide Convention cases, including Gambia v. Myanmar and South Africa v. Israel. A ruling on Germany's objections will decide only whether Nicaragua's claim proceeds.