The hague: Nicaragua on Tuesday urged the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to reject Germany's attempt to halt a case accusing Berlin of facilitating genocide in Gaza through its political, financial, and military support for Israel. Presenting its arguments at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Nicaragua maintained that the proceedings concerned Germany's own conduct and could continue without Israel participating in the case.
According to Anadolu Agency, Carlos Arguello Gomez, Nicaragua's agent before the court, stated that Managua was seeking a judgment solely against Germany and emphasized that any ruling would be binding only on Nicaragua and Germany. On the other hand, Berlin argued that the court could not adjudicate Nicaragua's allegations without first determining whether Israel's actions in Gaza were unlawful. Since Israel is not a party to the case and has not consented to the proceedings, Germany asserted that the case should be dismissed before the court reaches the merits.
Gomez rejected Germany's position, arguing that Israel's conduct had already been extensively documented by the ICJ and other international bodies and could be considered as a matter of fact without making Israel an indispensable party. He highlighted that the case concerned alleged German violations of international law, including obligations related to the prevention of genocide, international humanitarian law, Palestinian self-determination, racial discrimination, segregation, and apartheid.
Gomez further contended that Germany could not have been unaware of Israel's conduct due to the close political, commercial, and military relationship between the two countries. He pointed out that Germany is Israel's second-largest provider of weapons and business partner. Gomez accused Germany of continuing to authorize military exports despite the ICJ's April 2024 reminder that states supplying arms to parties to an armed conflict must comply with their international obligations.
Daniel Muller, a member of Nicaragua's legal team, revealed to the court that Germany had authorized more than £1.5 billion ($1.74 billion) in military exports to Israel since October 7, 2023. According to figures presented by Muller, Germany authorized exports of military equipment worth more than £251 million between October 7, 2023, and the ICJ's provisional measures hearings in April 2024. He added that Berlin approved approximately £146 million in exports between October and December 2024, nearly £90 million in the first half of 2025, and around £115 million in the second half of that year.
Muller noted that Germany also authorized £63.6 million in military exports between January and March this year. In April-June 2026, the value of approved exports surged to £735.8 million, with £508.8 million in licenses for equipment categorized as weapons of war. Muller said the licenses covered a major maritime defense project, including ammunition, projectiles, propelling charges, ignition charges, and other military components. Some approved components could be used in military land vehicles, including Merkava tanks deployed by Israel in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Nicaragua filed a case against Germany at the ICJ on March 1, 2024, accusing Berlin of 'facilitating the commission of genocide' by providing Israel with political, financial, and military support. During hearings in April 2024, Nicaragua argued that Germany was Israel's second-largest arms supplier and could not have been unaware that the munitions were being used in the genocide in Gaza. It also pointed out that Germany had sent tank shells, drones, and warship ammunition to Israel while cutting aid to Palestinians.
Germany rejected allegations that it had supported Israel's genocide in Gaza, arguing that its arms exports complied with international law and were subject to rigorous licensing reviews. The ICJ ruled that there was not a sufficient degree of urgency to justify ordering provisional measures, but drew attention to the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities among civilians. The court's ruling stressed that states supplying weapons to an area where genocide and other war crimes are being committed could potentially be held responsible for those crimes.
After lifting partial restrictions on arms exports to Israel, which stands accused of committing genocide in Gaza, the German government approved the delivery of around £800 million ($929 million) worth of military equipment to the country. Following the ICJ's rejection of Nicaragua's request for provisional measures, proceedings will continue until a final judgment is issued on the merits of Nicaragua's claims.