The International Court of Justice has begun two days of hearings to consider Nicaragua’s request that emergency measures be imposed on Germany over its support for Israel’s war on Gaza.

In the opening stages, Nicaragua’s counsel reiterated that it is not accusing Germany of committing genocide, but rather of failing to abide by its own obligations under international law to prevent genocide and serious violations of international and humanitarian law.

BBC News says according to papers filed with the ICJ, Nicaragua wants the court to order Berlin to halt weapons sales and resume funding of the UN’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which is one of the few international bodies still operating in Gaza.

Germany was one of 15 Western nations that suspended funding for the UNRWA over allegations that some of the agency’s staff were involved in the October 7th attacks on Israel.

Berlin rejects the claims and will present a defence to the International Court of Justice on Tuesday.

In 2023 some 30% of Israel’s military equipment purchases came from Germany, totalling €300m.