The Hague: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will begin hearings today, Monday, in the case filed against the Israeli occupation over its decision to ban the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The lawsuit was filed by Turkey and 39 other countries within the Organization of the Islamic World, along with the Arab League, the African Union, and the United Nations.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the hearings are scheduled to last for five days, with the judges hearing the interventions of all participating countries. The United Nations General Assembly voted at the end of 2024 to refer this case to the International Court of Justice, with 137 countries in favor and only 12 against.

This judicial escalation comes after the decision of the administration of US President Donald Trump to lift UNRWA's immunity and no longer consider it part of the United Nations, opening the door to legal prosecution in US courts.

It is noteworthy that the Israeli government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, began implementing the law banning UNRWA activities last February. The law, which was approved by the Knesset, prevents the agency from providing any services or opening representative offices in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

UNRWA, established in 1949, supports and protects approximately 5.6 million Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operation: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, pending a permanent solution to their plight.