By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - The International Court of Justice announced on Monday that it will hold public hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the "legal consequences arising from the policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem."
The hearings are set to commence next Feb. 19 at the Peace Palace in the Dutch city of The Hague, where the court meets, it said in a statement.
The request for an advisory opinion was made prior to the recent escalation in the region, so the court’s assessment will exclusively address the issue of the Israeli occupation.
This request was formalized through a UN General Assembly resolution, which garnered support from 87 countries.
The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Nearly 6,500 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 5,087 Palestinians and more than 1,400 Israelis.