The Central American nation of Nicaragua has escalated its legal battle against Germany for its alleged complicity in Israel's ongoing actions in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. This month, Nicaragua formally brought Germany before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of aiding Israel in what Nicaragua characterizes as genocide in Gaza. The ICJ has now set a date for the hearing of this case.

According to a statement released by the ICJ on Friday, hearings on the matter will take place on April 8 and 9. The proceedings will aim to assess the claims put forward by both Nicaragua and Germany, with the possibility of issuing provisional measures in response to Nicaragua's request.

Nicaragua's lawsuit contends that Germany violated the 1948 Genocide Convention by providing financial support to Israel during the Gaza conflict. Additionally, Nicaragua accuses Germany of suspending payments to the United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency (UNRWA).

The decision to halt funding to UNRWA came after Israel alleged the involvement of several UNRWA workers in an airstrike on Al-Aqsa on October 7. Nicaragua asserts that this move by Germany further exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In its plea to the ICJ, Nicaragua seeks urgent action to compel Germany to cease its military assistance to Israel and reverse its decision to halt funding to UNRWA.

This legal action marks another chapter in the ongoing international scrutiny of Israel's actions in Gaza. Last year, Israel faced accusations of human rights violations in the ICJ, initiated by South Africa. While initial judgments have been made, the case remains unresolved.

The Gaza conflict erupted in October last year when Hamas launched a significant military operation against Israel, prompting a violent response from Israeli forces. The ensuing violence resulted in the deaths of over 31,000 Palestinians, a majority of whom were civilians, including women and children, with over 70,000 others sustaining injuries.

Western powers such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have faced criticism for their perceived support of Israel in the conflict, while countries like China, Russia, and Iran have condemned the actions as genocide. The upcoming ICJ hearings will provide a platform for Nicaragua to press its case against Germany and seek accountability for the situation in Gaza.